LEADERSHIP TEAM

Lord Westbury MBE

Chairman

Hart was founded in 1999 by Lord Westbury, a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), following a distinguished military career. Educated at Harrow School and Sandhurst Royal Military Academy, Richard was commissioned into the Scots Guards in 1970 and subsequently joined the SAS in 1975. He served four operational tours, was decorated for bravery in 1978 and appointed MBE in 1979. During his time in the SAS he worked on every continent, being intimately involved in many international incidents during the 1980s.

From 1988 to 1991 he served as Deputy Chief Executive of The Leadership Trust, an executive training centre providing leadership and management training for over 2,500 chief executive officers and other key executives each year.

In 1991, Richard was invited to join Defence Systems Ltd., a company providing security services mainly in Africa. He became a director and Deputy Chief Executive in 1993 and Chief Executive Officer in 1995. During this time, the client base was increased from eight to over 200 multinational companies and supra-national agencies. In 1996, Richard and the Chairman of Defence Systems led a successful management buyout from Hambro Group Investments with the support of NatWest Ventures and DLJ Phoenix and merged with a U.S. public company.

He left Defence Systems in 1998 and in 1999 formed Hart, providing specialized security services on a global basis across land, sea and air. Hart soon became the founding company of the Hart Group, of which Richard is Chairman..

Today, it is known as the Chelsea Group and employs over 8,000 personnel with offices in Limassol, London, Dubai, Washington DC, New York, Sydney, Mogadishu, Kabul, Shanghai and Bogota. The offerings of the group include specialized managed services, power generation, aviation security, strategic consultancy, construction, portable housing, camp management, water purification, leadership training and software development.

Richard is a Vice President of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and an Officer in the Order of St John.

 

James Houghton

Chief Operating Officer

James is a former British Army officer who served as an infantry (the Black Watch). His last appointment was in SHAPE working on the integration of strategic policy between member Nations. James has extensive operational experience in a multitude of countries including Sierra Leone, Iraq and the Balkans.

He left the army in 2004 and entered into the commercial security world. He has since been supporting clients working in the Development, Oil & Gas, Defence and Government sectors.

Joining the Hart team in 2015, his previous roles included supporting clients on USAID and DFID funded projects in Africa. James has a BA (Hons) in Politics and Social Sciences and is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

When not working he enjoys spending time with his family in Dubai, coaching a children’s rugby team and when there is an opportunity, he is an enthusiastic golfer.

Gordon Hughes

Head of Support Services

Gordon served in the British Army for over 24 years with a vast majority of that time serving with the Close Protection Unit as an Instructor or operationally supporting the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office and Ministry of Defence.

Leaving the Army in 2014 he transitioned to the private security sector and joined Hart in early 2015, initially as the Regional Training Manager responsible for all training content for Hart’s global operations before assuming the role as Head of Support Services.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family or playing golf badly.

Greg Brownlow

Business Development Manager

Greg is a former British Army officer who served with the Royal Irish Regiment. He spent most of his service on continuous internal security operations in Northern Ireland until his Battalion disbandment in 2006.

He then entered the commercial security world with Hart and after a fantastic introduction to commercial business he crossed to one of the largest International Risk Management Security Companies. Greg held the position of Business Development Manager covering the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Over 13 years he supported clients working in the Development, Diploma, Local Government, and Oil & Gas sectors.

Re-joining Hart in 2019, Greg worked extensively in North Africa until taking over the role of Business Development Manager where he and the team work closely with the UK Government FCDO, CSSF & Home Office, USAID, United Nations, Humanitarian Agencies, and International Banking organisations.    

When not working he enjoys traveling to explore new countries and when the time allows, a round of golf.

Charlene Gebhardt

Head of HR

Charlene is Head of Human Resources and has 18 years of experience in HR and administration. She has been working in the Security Industry since 2012. Prior to Hart, Charlene worked with other leading security providers before joining the team in 2018. Charlene is qualified in HR management, OHS management, Trauma Risk management and mental health first aid. She continues to effectively lead Hart’s global recruitment. 

Jamshid Poyan

Regional Finance Manager

Jamshid has been with Hart since 2019, having worked within the Chelsea Group for 12 years prior. Currently the regional finance manager, Jamshid holds an MBA and has worked across various departments during his career, including operations and HR. He has also worked in a number of countries in the Middle East and Africa. When not working, Jamshid enjoys spending time with his family, staying fit and weight-lifting. 

Louise Mccullough

Bid Manager

Louise is a seasoned Bid Manager with extensive knowledge in contract and tender management spanning over 15 years. Focusing primarily on the African markets, her experience extends many industries including Oil and Gas, Government Elections (Ballots and Polling Kits), Education (LTSM and Textbook distribution), Relocation and Move Management.

Louise has lived in numerous countries in Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe and joined the Hart team as Bid Manager in 2022.

When not working, she enjoys spending time with her two children, travelling, and voluntary work in animal shelters.

Chris Bees

Country Manager Somalia

Rony McGown

Business Support Manager

Rony is the FCDO OSM & IA Contract Manager and also works closely with the Business Development Team. She graduated with Honours in International Politics from the University of Stirling where she also obtained a First-Class Master’s Degree in International Conflict and Cooperation specialising in Gender-based Violence and Ethnic Conflict.

Prior to joining Hart in 2021, Rony worked overseas on a variety of Humanitarian projects in the USA and Nepal.

When not working, Rony enjoys travelling, hiking and CrossFit.