GRANT ARMSTRONG

Born in London, I joined the British Army in 1978 serving with The 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, seeing service worldwide. Leaving in February 1986 I pursued a career in security management; driving and escorting VIPs, celebrities and businesspeople, as a freelance security operative mainly based in London, but also internationally, working at prestigious, mainly corporate events, conferences and exhibitions.

Relocating to Nottingham 1991, I continued to work as a freelance security operative, at the same time becoming more involved in the events industry, as an Event Safety Supervisor, working at numerous venues and public events. Responsible for all aspects of event crowd management including concourse, arena floors and backstage areas at pop concerts, festivals, conferences, exhibitions and sports events, mainly in a senior supervisory role, for ShowSec International, operating at venues such as The National Ice Centre, Nottingham Arena, Manchester Evening News Arena, Cardiff International Arena, Donington Park for both the motorsports and music events, Leeds United FC, Hyde Park festivals, many greenfield sites and Lowlands Festival, Netherlands among many others. Working both front of house, backstage and in the planning phases.

Becoming a trainer whilst working as a senior supervisor at Nottingham Arena, I moved on to deliver the NCFE Event Stewarding Course to staff within the company and later for the Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002, where I helped train in excess of 1700 candidates.

Employed as a Quadrant Manager at Sports City, Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002, responsible for all external areas and gates spread over 53 acres, exceeding one million visitors over 11 days, including reception of Royalty, elite athletes and VIP vehicles.

Whilst working for the Rugby Football Union, part time at Twickenham, 2002 - 2008, on event days, initially as concourse manager, again responsible for all gate movements and later as Deputy Chief Steward, overseeing capacity crowds of 82,000, with approximately 20 – 28 sporting and music events per year, occasionally standing in as Chief Steward on some events. Also developing courses and delivering steward training for sub-contract and casual event staff working at Twickenham.

I was Team England Rugby, Safety and Security Manager In December 2003 for World Champions Parade, London with crowds in excess of 750,000.

Safety and security operative, and crowd manager in spring 2004, on Sweet Chariot Tour for RFU. Exhibiting, the Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup, to venues around the whole of England. Duties included managing crowds, driving VIPs, elite rugby players, RFU officials and the Rugby World Cup, to, from and between events and venues

In 2003, whilst working for CES (Combined Event Solutions) I worked as Chief Steward at QPR Football Club recruiting and training staff, as well as working at Old Trafford, Manchester for both domestic and international games. Achieving A1 Assessor Award in December 2004.

From April 2005, Midlands Regional Manager for A P Security (North) Ltd. Managing staff at various venues and events, including Glastonbury and Leeds festivals. In 2006 my role changed to Training and Development Manager, plus additional role of Special Projects Manager, assisting in the setting up of new contracts and operations, particularly for the new Wembley Stadium and The O2 Arena contracts, liaising with clients and ensuring that staff were trained to venue standards, delivering NVQ Level 2 Spectator Safety and National Certificate for Door Supervisors.

In August 2010 I moved to the United Arab Emirates after being invited to become member of the Venue Management Team for Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM) at Yas Marina Circuit (YMC), Abu Dhabi, UAE at the Etihad 2010 -2012 Formula One Grand Prix as a Grandstand Safety Manager, as well as covering other events. Duties and responsibilities included planning events, writing of specific event safety documents, ensuring safety standards are maintained during event build, including erection of temporary structures and managing event safety and security staff. I also developed, wrote and delivered a training program for event safety staff employed at Yas Marina Circuit.

In June 2012, I Co-Founded GES FZ LLC – Gulf Event Solutions, with my friend and business partner Paul Joy. Since forming GES we have enjoyed continuous success delivering event and security training courses but more predominantly delivering professional safety and security management including safety documentation for prestigious client events in Dubai including Done Events, Live Nation, Meydan, 117 Live, Dubai World Trade Centre, Envie Events, Action Impact, Blink, Louder, Prisme and Mamemo, to name a few

We have provides services at many concerts and events in the UAE including Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Usher, The Stone Roses, Rewind 80’s, Justin Bieber, the Dubai Rugby Sevens, Asianet Film Awards, Dubai World Cup, One Direction, Eric Clapton, Bruno Mars, Lionel Richie, Drake, Michael Bublé, Ed Sheeran, Spandau Ballet, Michael McIntyre, Al Murray, Dubai Tour, Abu Dhabi Tour, Hardwell Armin Van Buuren, RedFest, Blended, Party In The Park, Sharjah Electric Run and many, many more

HSE Manager for Port Khalifa Official Inauguration, December 2012. Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race 2014 and Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race 2014

Chief Steward at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain FC, since the stadium inauguration