About

About Silverback Security Academy

Silverback is proud to be an Approved Centre for SFJ Awards, now delivering a range of Regulated Qualifications.

SFJ Awards is a nationally recognised and regulated awarding organisation.

SFJ Awards work with employers and training providers to help people working in justice and community safety, the armed forces, local government and healthcare to develop their skills and operate more effectively. We work in partnership with SFJ Awards to meet the sectors current and future workforce development and training needs.

Silverback Security Academy was created to provide career development opportunities and flexible career pathways for people working in or intending to work in the security industry, an industry which is rapidly moving towards professionalising its workforce at all levels.

Silverback facilitators and associates have extensive operational experience across the security industry and bring expert knowledge, backed by academic qualifications, to the delivery of its courses in security management.

Meet the Silverback Team

Carl Dakin QGM, MSc, FdA, MSyI

Before entering the commercial sector in 2013, Carl Dakin served for 25 years in the British Army, enlisting into the Parachute Regiment but spending most of his career in UK Special Forces. Currently runs Dakin Consulting Ltd. delivering security and business continuity capability and advice to high-end corporate clients in London and the UK

Patrick Smith Emeritus Professor

Professor Patrick Smith does not fall into the normal pattern of the academic professor, though he has published extensively on the subjects of learning, education and the role of each in leadership. Patrick’s passion centres on how people transform their experience into useful and productive knowledge. In over 50 years he has facilitated learning events in tents, on firing ranges, in derelict buildings, outdoor and indoor arenas,

Anne Mathews MA PGCert.

Anne worked as a Vocational Qualifications Manager at a department of Oxford University specialising in assessment and qualification development where she worked on accredited professional development courses for business and industry. More recently drawn into the Silverback circle of specialists to take on the role of Quality Assurance and Development Manager.

The Associates

Raymond Fellows, MSc, CSyP, MSyI, Tech IOSH

Ray joined the commercial security industry in 2003 after a lengthy military career which culminated as a member of the UK Special Forces. With over 30 years security experience garnered from the UK and international high risk / challenging and corporate environments, Ray is the CEO of Eclipse Strategic Security Ltd.

Ian Rivers MSc Fd(A) MSyI

Ian joined the British Army aged 19 years and after a full, varied and successful military career, culminating with service in UKSF, he entered the commercial market in 2011. Currently responsible for the operational risk and training for Ark RMG and regularly deploys overseas.

Chris Kemp Professor PhD MA BA

Chris Kemp Professor PhD MA BA ASSOCIATE Professor Chris Kemp was a former rock promoter, venue manager and Pro Vice Chancellor. He is now the CEO of Mind over Matter Consultancy (MoM).

Pauline Cranmer, QAM, MA, DipHep, MCPara

Director of Clinical Education, London Ambulance Service. Prior to taking up this post in 2021 she was the Director of Ambulance Services and Incident Director for the Trust response to Covid19. Her passion is developing leaders of the future, creating the environment for them to thrive in high performing teams embedding a culture of continuous learning from incidents.

Toby Moores

Skylift UAV, CEO Toby is an entrepreneur and investor in disruptive technologies most notably in the media, cellular and biotech sectors. His inventions include the PIN number patent for every phone sold in the US and UK, Pay- As-You-Go scratch cards. He is the owner and CEO of Sleepydog Ltd., best known for creating Buzz, The Music Quiz for Sony, and Skylift.UAV which was formed to design, develop and operate specialist commercial drones for a wide diversity of specialist roles. Toby has an Honorary Doctorate in Technology from De Montfort University and is a Visiting Professor in new media research at two UK universities.