"David Burrill has the gift of being able to translate his considerable experience of security matters in a clear and understandable way and the vision to apply this experience to business realities in order to deliver measurable business results"

Antonio Monteiro de Castro.
Chief Operating Officer, British American Tobacco

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"As Chairman of BAT's Audit Committee for eight years, I had regular contact with David Burrill. His reports to the Committee were always clear and his assessments shrewd. I quickly came to realise how lucky we were to have him in charge of security. He is a real pro."

Rupert Pennant-Rea
Chairman of Henderson Group plc,
former Deputy Governor Bank of England and Editor of The Economist

"I have worked with and alongside David Burrill over a number of years, both during my time at The Foreign Policy Centre, and now at Demos. Throughout, he has been a source of ideas, new thinking, support, and inspiration.

During his career David has built up an enviable knowledge of the security and commercial worlds. First during his career in military intelligence, where he served at the highest levels, and latterly during his time as Head of Group Security at BAT. Right across his wide peer group he is regarded as a true leader, someone who has not only performed in his day job, but has moved his profession forward.

Under his leadership, BAT became the most benchmarked security department in the UK and beyond, and many of the industry-wide innovations stemmed from the work of David and his team. Improvement, learning and development are not processes for David - they are integral to the way he works.

David has been a tireless campaigner for greater co-operation between the public and private sectors in tackling security. He was the first non-American private sector director of OSAC, the US State Department's Overseas Security Advisory Centre, and was chair of the influential body ISMA, the International Security Managers Association. He was instrumental in setting up SISBO, the UK equivalent of OSAC run jointly by the UK Foreign Office and the private sector, and served as SISBO's first private sector chair.

David has also played important roles in networks such as the Risk and Security Management Forum (RSMF) and Selwyn House, a grouping of the UK's key corporate security players. He is able to draw on considerable networks from a variety of industries and sectors, as well as internationally.

David is always in demand as a speaker. He has delivered keynote speeches at a number of events I have organised at The Foreign Policy Centre and Demos, and regularly addresses audiences around the world on a variety of security and business related topics.

David is not only an exceptional professional, he is a man of absolute integrity, well-respected by all who come into contact with him. He gives 110 per cent to everything he does and brings a positive, can-do attitude to his work. I have no doubt that in his new role he will give his all, deliver every time, consistently exceed expectations, and generate considerable value for his clients.

David Burrill is one of the leading security thinkers of his generation."

Rachel Briggs,
Head of International Programmes, Demos.

" When I left the Army after banking and then the law I went into "security" and in 1997 was offered a job to implement a Crisis Management system for Philip Morris in Central and Eastern Europe.

I looked up David to seek his advice. He could not have been more forthcoming and helpful. I laid on a presentation about the Crisis Response requirement to an audience of the Regional Boards. I invited interesting speakers - who had experienced dealing with emergencies - including Peter de la Billiere and Graeme Dunlop as well as David. The audience did not know until the event who the speakers would be. David spoke - pointed out the common interest - and without doubt won over the audience.

As you can imagine this made it easier for me then to roll out a programme in which some 800 senior managers, Directors and Board Members of Philip Morris International were trained. I was then asked to provide a similar programme for Kraft and PM USA. I don't have any doubt about his talk having influenced subsequent approaches by the lawyers for both companies to move faster to industry cooperation on the counterfeit issue.

The open common sense "common interest" culture of disclosing figures between companies on security issues also stemmed from him.

Tim Barker
Hansard Security

"David Burrill brought security into the heart of BAT. Most companies see security as a fringe or peripheral activity that only needs to be called upon when something untoward happens. David believes passionately that security has to be integrated into the business so that the untoward doesn't happen and that business opportunities, emanating from security activities, are recognised.

It's all about risk management, which is the heart of any business. As a result BAT became the international benchmark for managing security issues.

In the cause of providing a secure environment for the conduct of international business, no one, on either side of the Atlantic, has achieved more than David Burrill in ensuring that public and private sector security partnerships have developed and flourished."

Martin Broughton
Chairman of British Airways plc since July 2004.
Former Chairman of BAT.
Former member of the Financial Reporting Council and the Takeover Panel.

"I have known David Burrill for almost ten years, during which he has been the lead security professional on a European Round Table Working Group which, for a number of years, dealt with criminality against companies. David guided these ERT activities subsequently and very professionally, into the International Security Management Association (ISMA). David has represented ERT's security interests throughout, including engagements in EU public and private sector partnership initiatives to counter terrorism and crime, and I hope and trust that he will continue to do so.

David is an excellent security professional.

His innovative and creative style, linked to a passionate commitment and exceptional knowledge have brought value to international business and to society. With his remarkable people skills, international intelligence and security connections with business, governments and academia he has created an invaluable and unmatched network of contacts.

I can think of no one better suited to advise international business on how to use security as an enabling and protective asset."

Wim Philippa
Secretary General European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT)

"David is a man with genuine global reach and influence within the security arena. His strategic review of our Security structure and capability has been constructively challenging, perceptive and reassuring. He provided us with one of the most succinct and 'usable' reports I have seen - definitely quality over quantity. His engaging and considerate style meant staff were comfortable around him and keen to learn from his experiences. It has been a pleasure working with him"

Adam Mallalieu
Head of UK Safety, Health, Environment and Security & Group Head of Security NATIONAL GRID plc.

Over the last fourteen years it has been a pleasure working with David Burrill. I have come to highly respect his professionalism as well as the vast knowledge has in the security field. His consultation and direction to our corporate security staff significantly raised their level of expertise and the scope of their operations. In fact I feel I can safely say he was instrumental in moving the department from a fine standard security function to a leading edge department providing not only standard services, but pro-active guidance as an integrated part of the management team. His extensive experience as the Chief Security Officer of a multi national conglomerate certainly provided a unique background and a global perspective. Having the ability to see and understand the "big picture" and applying security expertise accordingly, enhanced our organization's ability to identify and address security risks in a manner not even contemplated before.

Also, his ability to deal with a broad range of people significantly increased effectiveness. His extensive international experience, coupled with deep and intuitive understanding of people, make him a natural leader. His ability to direct individuals effectively in a collaborative manner certainly made the needed changes readily acceptable and generally enthusiastically embraced by those in management needed to be brought on board.

David's contributions to the security effort at our organization allowed our staff to not only effectively protect the corporate assets and personnel, but also added value to the reputation and governance of the company by providing a pro-active approach to the area.

If I find myself in need of a top security advisor with the ability to provide a thorough security review or the expertise to assist in an audit review of the company security function, I would place no individual above him. Further, if I find myself in need of professional assistance in any crisis situation, David Burrill would be among the first I would contact.

Jason Lawrence Katz.
Executive Vice President & General Counsel Farmers Group, Inc.
4680 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010 USA

"As a member of the Board of Directors for British American Tobacco I met David as the Security Top executive and I can only say how impressed I was by the creative and business approach he gave to Enterprise Security at BAT compared to my previous experience.

David and his Team Security approach and focus can be considered an international example and Benchmark. It was strategically and tactically designed to give additional value to the various dimensions of the business. Specifically improving sales and distribution efficient ratios, it reduced counterfeit and contraband risks and manufacturing transport losses across nations boundaries, working in a full integrated mode and not in isolation with the organization for personal and key areas projects such as new technological security challenges.

He created the appropriate and successful means of fast incident communication and resolution with an almost instantaneous responsiveness. His security network within and outside the organization is excellent. I can only add how passionate he is for Corporate Security and if someone is as passionate as him about his professional interests you know, as well as I do, that you will not fail if you choose them"

Ana Maria Llopis.
Vice President, Fundacion Jose Felix Llopis

"When I first met David I was immediately impressed by his personality and professionalism. His analytical mind, pragmatism and clear vision on how to achieve the objectives set was indeed impressive. Thanks to his farsightedness and anticipation the motto "Security is an investment resulting in added value, and not a cost" has proven true time and time again.

David's vast experience, excellent network and perseverance have been an invaluable asset to our relationship and his advice was highly appreciated when the security function was set up within our Group."

Bernard Daniel
Secretary General
Secretary to the Board of Directors
Nestlé S.A.