Julian Simmonds - Chairman
Julian is an international marketing and joint venture consultant. During the last 25 years, Julian has focused on strategic communications and international alliance strategies involving launch plans, media presentations, conference and event planning for both the public and private sector. He has worked extensively in the USA, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.
In 1990 Julian founded a highly successful international trading company responsible for coordinating and managing trade exhibitions in Paris, Cologne, Bucharest and Madrid. Created a client base and set up markets
for North American corporations doing business in Europe.
in 1995 Julian established a Company to develop investment projects in Vietnam and China. Including; mining and manufacturing in Vietnam; food manufacturing and building construction in China. In 1997 awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of the City of Xin Yang” in recognition of services to the business development of the City.
In 2001 Julian founded Palo Alto Media Group in California. The Palo Alto Media Group’s Emmy Award-winning associates provide communications and media production, consulting and training services. Julian is a specialist in running cross-cultural workshops on Leadership, Communication, Innovation and Creativity. Clients include; ALC Education AON, Euroclear Bank, Teijin, Kuraray, Works Infrastructure, British Consulate-General and UK Trade & Investment. He is an adjunct professor at Stanford University, Zurich University, Cambridge University, UC Santa Cruz, CSU East Bay, Oxford Brookes, Bristol University and the Hong Kong Management Association.
In 2013 Julian founded Palo Alto Risk Solutions. PARS is a UK company which understands security threats faced by companies doing business in Mexico and Latin America. We have the capability and capacity to qualify and deliver UK based expertise and products to global customers. We can help you select the right equipment with the right service agreement to maximise your return on that investment.
Kier Head - Chief Technical Officer
Kier Head is the Chief Technical Officer for Palo Alto Risk Solutions. He has over twenty years of experience within the British Army, specialising in Counter-Threat & Counter-IED, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Weapon Intelligence Specialist (WIS) and related specialist operations.
He is an operationally proven Domain Knowledge Expert, having commanded at every level within the UK Counter Terrorism EOD Regiment and in Other Government Agencies. Before finishing his military career in 2011, his final post was within JIEDDO (the Pentagon) as the J3 Weapon Technical Intelligence Branch Chief. Previously, he has served in the UK Defence Academy as Directing Staff & Sierra Leone as part of the UN, in Northern Ireland and Mainland UK, and across the globe including Afghanistan in Counter-Threat roles. He has wide ranging experience in the assessment, validation and implementation of C-IED training; whilst in command of 11 EOD Regt RLC, he was personally responsible for the training and certification of Joint level IEDD Operators, as fit to conduct CT Operations on UK soil on behalf of the Home Office.
He has working in the EOD Industry since leaving the military, where he has been involved in EOD, WTI and SOF training. He has spoken on the subject of ‘Bridging the Gap in Operator Blast Protection’ and ‘Advances in IEDD Operator training within NATO’ at CT Expo, ‘The Technical Aspects of Maritime Citadel Compromise by the Use of Explosives’ at SAMI and ‘Training for an IED Environment’ at ITEC. He has also authored articles in CBRNe World and Military Training Technology.
Mazz Image - Creative Director
Mazz Image is a photographer, designer and creative consultant with over 20 years experience working with local and international publications, corporate and community organisations plus regular and one-off special events.
Mazz documents, through her lens, parades and festivals around the world. These included: Sydney, Hong Kong, San Francisco, San Jose, Las Vegas, New York, Montreal, Milan, Rome, Paris, Berlin, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, and Moscow.
Since settling in Oxford in 2006 she has continued to develop creative and management skills by working with some great teams in the private and not-for-profit sectors including producing events to inspire and empower women in business, engage community groups and artists, and successfully encouraging women into healthier living.
Her experience of running a successful photography and design consultancy from Sydney to Oxford, plus producing regular and one-off events for the financial, medical, arts and education sectors has provided a broad cross section of unique skills.
Sharing experiences and knowledge is key to helping ourselves and others reach potential and to building a bright, safe and successful future for our families.