Investor Relations

Board Members


PLC Board

The PLC Board contains a balance of Executive and Non-Executive Directors and is responsible for dealing with the strategic direction and long term success of the Group. The Board will meet every two months or at any other time deemed necessary for the good management of the business and at a location agreed between the Board members.

Non-Executive Chairman

Rt. Hon. Sir Tony Baldry

Sir Tony, has had a long a prestigious Parliamentary career. He was Personal Aide to Margaret Thatcher in the 1974 General Election and subsequently remained in her private office when she became Leader of the Opposition.

Sir Tony served as MP for North Oxfordshire from 1983 to 2015. He held various ministerial posts during the 1990s, serving as Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with a range of responsibilities including South Asia, Africa, North America and the West Indies.

Sir Tony, a practicing barrister, was awarded the Robert Schumann Silver Medal for contribution to European politics in 1975. He takes a keen interest in foreign affairs and was a Governor of the Commonwealth Institute and was a member of the Overseas Development Institute. Tony was Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on International Development in the 2010 Parliament.

Sir Tony is a member of the Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee, and is Chairman of the Disclosure Committee.

Chief Executive Officer

Peter Fowler

Peter has over 52 years experience operating within the security industry, with particular reference to the electronic protection sector.

Peter is extensively travelled and has a long history of running successful companies having built and sold two security businesses, successfully carried out acquisitions, disposals and an MBO and has held several senior positions in listed companies.

Peter started his career in the security industry in 1970, quickly progressing into senior management roles. In 1980 he founded a specialist electronic security company, Sovereign Security Systems Limited, which became one of the leading independent security companies of its type in the UK and was acquired by the Britannia Security Group Plc in 1987.

In 1990, Peter joined the Menvier-Swain Group Plc as Managing Director of the newly acquired security division and has been Chief Executive Officer of the Westminster Group of companies since leading a management buy out of the business in 1996.

In 2000 Peter reorganised the business and disposed of the UK alarms business to Chubb in order to concentrate on international business and since that time has developed Westminster into a global business with representation in over 50 countries with an enviable international reputation and an extensive and growing ‘blue chip’ client base.

Peter is a member of the Risk Committee, Nomination Committee and Disclosure Committee.

Chief Financial Officer

Mark L W Hughes BSc MBA FCA

Mark joined the company in November 2018, he is an experienced Group Chief Financial Officer with over 30 years’ experience of leading groups, divisions and companies sized from pre-revenue to £600m turnover, including those listed on both the main market and AIM including CFO of Hall Engineering (Full) Royal Doulton (Full), Axon (Full) and Mediwatch (AIM).

Mark is a member of the Risk Committee and the Disclosure Committee.

Chief Operating Officer

Stuart Fowler BEng (Hons)

Stuart has many years experience of the security industry and has been particularly involved on many of the more complex integrated security systems.

Stuart studied computing and business studies at University obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering Honours degree in 1996. After university Stuart successfully implemented several software development projects for listed companies before joining Westminster in 1998 as IT manager. After acquiring considerable experience with the vast array of technical products and equipment in which the Company is involved, he was appointed a Director within the Group in 2000.

Since that time Stuart has been instrumental in the design & implementation of many larger complex systems installed by the Westminster Group Plc. and is now responsible for the groups operations and technical implementation worldwide.

Stuart is a member of the Disclosure Committee and Risk Committee.

Non-Executive Director

Simon Barrell

Simon is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Following qualification, he spent 4 years working in Nairobi and has since also gained considerable international experience with a number of organisations.

After 11 years in the profession Simon moved into the corporate world and has held various posts as Finance Director and has experience across multiple industries working in both the public and private sectors. He has also held numerous non-executive positions for a number of public companies and continues to act as an adviser to listed and non-listed companies. He is currently a non-executive director of SRT Marine Systems plc and Grafenia plc.

Simon is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee and Disclosure Committee.

Non-Executive Director

Major General (Retired) Graham Binns CBE DSO MC

Graham Binns, is a highly decorated retired British Army officer with over 10 years’ experience as a senior board level executive in the commercial security sector.

Graham served as General Officer Commanding 1st (UK) Armoured Division and then Commandant Joint Services Command and Staff College, retiring in 2010. He had previously commanded the 7th Armoured Brigade (the “Desert Rats”) during Operation Telic 1 when the brigade took Basra in southern Iraq.

Following his military career, Graham was recruited as Chief Executive Officer of Aegis Defence Services Ltd. providing security services to governments and major corporations throughout the Middle East and Africa, with revenues of £300m and a staff of over 3,000.

Following the acquisition of Aegis by GardaWorld, the world’s largest privately owned security group with 122,000 employees and a turnover of $3billion, Graham served for several years as Senior Managing Director of GardaWorld International Protective Services, and more recently as their senior advisor on strategic client relationships.

Graham is Chairman of the Nomination Committee and a member of the Disclosure Committee. Remuneration Committee and Audit Committee.

Operational Board

The Operational Board comprises of the Group CEO and other Group and Divisional Directors as deemed appropriate and is responsible for the running of the business. The Operational Board will meet monthly or at any other time deemed necessary for the good management of the business and at a location agreed between the Board members. The Operational Board reports to the PLC Board.

Chief Executive Officer

Peter Fowler

Peter has over 52 years experience operating within the security industry, with particular reference to the electronic protection sector.

Peter is extensively travelled and has a long history of running successful companies having built and sold two security businesses, successfully carried out acquisitions, disposals and an MBO and has held several senior positions in listed companies.

Peter started his career in the security industry in 1970, quickly progressing into senior management roles. In 1980 he founded a specialist electronic security company, Sovereign Security Systems Limited, which became one of the leading independent security companies of its type in the UK and was acquired by the Britannia Security Group Plc in 1987.

In 1990, Peter joined the Menvier-Swain Group Plc as Managing Director of the newly acquired security division and has been Chief Executive Officer of the Westminster Group of companies since leading a management buy out of the business in 1996.

In 2000 Peter reorganised the business and disposed of the UK alarms business to Chubb in order to concentrate on international business and since that time has developed Westminster into a global business with representation in over 50 countries with an enviable international reputation and an extensive and growing ‘blue chip’ client base.

Peter is a member of the Risk Committee, Nomination Committee and Disclosure Committee.

Chief Financial Officer

Mark L W Hughes BSc MBA FCA

Mark joined the company in November 2018, he is an experienced Group Chief Financial Officer with over 30 years’ experience of leading groups, divisions and companies sized from pre-revenue to £600m turnover, including those listed on both the main market and AIM including CFO of Hall Engineering (Full) Royal Doulton (Full), Axon (Full) and Mediwatch (AIM).

Mark is a member of the Risk Committee and the Disclosure Committee.

Chief Operating Officer

Stuart Fowler BEng (Hons)

Stuart has many years experience of the security industry and has been particularly involved on many of the more complex integrated security systems.

Stuart studied computing and business studies at University obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering Honours degree in 1996. After university Stuart successfully implemented several software development projects for listed companies before joining Westminster in 1998 as IT manager. After acquiring considerable experience with the vast array of technical products and equipment in which the Company is involved, he was appointed a Director within the Group in 2000.

Since that time Stuart has been instrumental in the design & implementation of many larger complex systems installed by the Westminster Group Plc. and is now responsible for the groups operations and technical implementation worldwide.

Stuart is a member of the Disclosure Committee and Risk Committee.

Head of Sales

Lorraine Hellend

Lorraine Hellend brings over 30 years of experience and expertise to her role on the operational board at Westminster Group. With a background in security management honed during 15 years of service in the HM Prison Service, Lorraine transitioned seamlessly into aviation security, excelling as a trainer and advancing rapidly within the field.

Joining Westminster Group in 2017, Lorraine has made significant contributions in various roles, including AVSEC Instructor and Duty Support Officer abroad.

In addition to her operational roles, Lorraine has demonstrated strategic acumen as a Business Development Manager and Head of Sales. Her leadership in driving revenue growth and forging key partnerships has been instrumental in expanding Westminster’s business.

As a member of the operational board, Lorraine’s diverse background in security management, training, business development, and sales provides invaluable insights. Her commitment to excellence and proactive approach to addressing security challenges make her a vital asset to the leadership team.

Head of Marketing & Strategy

Niall O'Brien

Niall brings a wealth of expertise and deep technical knowledge to his position as Head of Marketing & Strategy at Westminster Group. Holding a BSc in Computer Science, Niall boasts over 20 years experience in developing enterprise technology solutions and go-to-market strategies.

Passionate about Design & UX, Niall was instrumental in the recent rebranding of Westminster Group. Additionally, he spearheaded the development of the group’s new e-commerce platform and champions digital marketing initiatives to enhance brand visibility and engagement.

International Advisory Board

The International Advisory Board assists and advises the Group and its subsidiaries on various international issues including governmental and client liaison, cultural, ethnic and religious sensitivities, compliance with legal issues, financing and general business development.

Advisor

The Hon. Sir Michael Pakenham KBE CMG

Sir Michael Pakenham had a distinguished career in the British Diplomatic Service lasting nearly 40 years, during which time he held posts in Poland, Paris, Washington, New Delhi, Nairobi, Brussels, Luxembourg and London. Whilst in the Cabinet Office in Whitehall he served for three years as Cabinet Secretary for Defence and Overseas Affairs, as Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and as Intelligence Coordinator. He retired from the Service in 2003 at which point he was British Ambassador to Poland.

For the past 8 years he has been the Senior Advisor to Access Industries, a US-based private holding company with global interests, including in Russia. Other appointments include being Vice-Chairman of the Council of Kings College, London University; and a Trustee of the Chevening Estate. He has also served as a member of the European Advisory Board to Northrop Grumman Information Services, and of the Advisory Board to the Cambridge Judge Business School; and he has led work on the EU Security & Technology research project with Thales and the IISS.

Advisor

Shiv Kumar

Mr. Shiv Surinder Kumar has over 20 years of experience in the areas of asset management, merchant banking, capital markets and wealth management across Asia, Europe and the Middle-East and has significant experience in securities trading, private placement, debt restructuring and disinvestments.

From 1997 to 2000, he served as a Financial Consultant with Merrill Lynch International, where he managed private banking with a focus on structured products related to wealth management of high net worth individuals and family offices. From 1992 to 1997, he served as a Vice President of Hinduja Finance Ltd, India, where he managed a balance sheet of $80 million, arranged investment banking transactions and invested on a proprietary basis in venture capital transactions. From 1988 to 1993, he served as Vice President and Assistant Vice President roles at Prime Securities Limited, India, and Bank of America NT&SA. He has been an Independent Director of Amira Nature Foods Ltd. since June 5, 2013. From 2000 to 2006, Mr. Kumar served as the Director of Genesis International, Dubai, UAE, where he served on a number of strategic investment projects including airport privatization in India and private placements in mid-cap Indian companies.

Shiv Kumar founded “Bridge Capital Group” in 2005, a boutique investment advisory and fund management outfit providing broad range of corporate finance services. Bridge Capital in the past managed Funds in excess of US$ 200 million covering Infrastructure & Warehousing Sector.

He has a Bachelors of Commerce degree from HR College of Commerce (Bombay University, India) and MBA from International Management Institute, New Delhi (Affiliated to IMI, Geneva and McGill College, Canada)

Advisor

Mawuli Ababio

Mr Mawuli Ababio is an accomplished Corporate Financier/Investment Banker with over 30 years’ experience in structuring private equity and project financing transactions in Africa.

He began his career in 1984 in Geneva, Switzerland as an analyst with SIFIDA Investment Company (now BNP Paribas SIFIDA), with responsibility for the company’s portfolio in North, East and Southern Africa. In 1991 he joined the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire as a member of the pioneering team to set up the Bank’s Private Sector Department. In 1994 he moved to Ghana as Manager of one of the UK Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) first ever sponsored African SME Funds.

In 2000 he co-founded Faith Brothers Ltd, Ghana, as an investment holding company and subsequently acquired Citi Savings and Loans Ltd. a leading micro-finance company in Ghana.

This latter company was subsequently converted into Intercontinental Bank Ghana Limited and eventually acquired by Access Bank plc of Nigeria.

Between 2005-7, he consulted with PwC France for Pro-Invest an EU funded initiative aimed at setting up VC/PE firms to fund the SME space in Francophone Africa. In 2007 he moved to Johannesburg as Managing Director of the Africa Venture Capital Association (AVCA), the industry body for African Private Equity. In 2010, he joined PCM Capital Partners (PCP) to advise on setting up the West Africa Emerging Markets Growth Fund (WAEMGF), a regional PE investment vehicle whose LP investors include the AfDB and South Africa’s Private Investment Corporation (PIC).

From 2012 – present he has been the Vice-Chairman/Managing Partner of PCM Capital Advisors a regional private equity fund with a diversified investment portfolio in several countries in the West Africa sub-region.

Mawuli has extensive board and corporate governance experience having served on several listed and unlisted boards over the last 20 years, both as an Executive and Non-Executive Director. He is bilingual, speaking fluent English and French.

In June 2021, Mawuli was Knighted by the Ambassador of France, Her Excellency Anne Sophie AVE, on behalf of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, at a ceremony held at the Residence of France in Accra, Ghana,

Advisor

Patrick Tsang

Patrick Tsang is the Chairman of Tsangs Group, a China-focused single Family Office. As a seasoned investor and the fourth generation running the business, Patrick invests in various companies which have positive influence and social impact.

Born and raised in the United Kingdom with deeply-rooted Chinese heritage, he has a strong global network and has successfully made investments in Asia mainly in Hong Kong and China, North America and Europe. Over the years, he has worked on numerous IPO and M&A transactions globally.

He is currently the Trade Commissioner of Grenada in Macau to promote international business and investment.

Patrick is a qualified solicitor in Hong Kong and England and Wales. He graduated from the College of Law in England and is a Young Fellow of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award World Fellowship and past President of the Rotary E Club of Hong Kong.

He was awarded the China Economic Person of the Year during the China Economic Development Forum in 2014. In addition, Patrick is an active keynote speaker with multitudes of speaking and coaching experience. He speaks about topics including China, finance, technology, fintech, blockchain, AI and leadership.

If you would like to contact Westminster relating to Investor Relations, please contact us.