CORPORATE TEAM
Security Consulting Group was founded in October 2014 by Richard Nixon and Steve Barlow following distinguished careers in security and communications consultancy and project integration. Our team is comprised of well-known, industry-leading professionals who have joined us after successful careers in large multi-disciplinary consulting firms or government and are passionate about delivering independent, high-quality security and communications consultancy services.
RICHARD NIXON | MANAGING DIRECTOR
Over a 25 year period, Managing Director and co-founder Richard Nixon has managed the delivery of many major projects throughout Australia and internationally, in addition to having led large teams of security engineers and consultants on the eastern seaboard of Australia, Singapore, and the UAE. Richard prepares security management policies and procedures, security management plans, and security audits/reviews and is commonly requested to provide strategic planning advice during the early stages of major projects.
During these processes, Richard is tasked to define the optimum balance between the project’s security management requirements, the physical security attributes, and the technical systems.
SHARNE HESSE | DIRECTOR
Sharne has worked alongside SCG Managing Director Richard Nixon and co-founder Steve Barlow for much of his career, working on large and complex high-security projects across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Dubai.
He has extensive experience across security risk management, planning and engineering streams of security consulting, encompassing all major market sectors, with a key focus on the custodial, defence and major critical infrastructure sectors.
Sharne regularly provides turn-key advice to clients from project inception and early planning through to detailed design and construction delivery. This has included the development of enterprise-wide risk assessments, security management plans, corporate security advice and reviews for all levels of government and private sector clients.
He is experienced in all forms of physical and electronic security solutions including security risk assessments, security master planning, security and communications network design, SCEC design and security advice for complex, high-security projects.
CRAIG WRIGHT | DIRECTOR
Craig’s significant security experience incorporates more than 30 years across a number of key areas. These include product leadership, the design and project management of large and complex integrated security systems throughout both Australia, New Zealand and Asia, as well as managing large project and technical teams.
Craig is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for our clients based on sound technical and commercial advice and heads up our business performance team, ensuring projects are executed in accordance with SCG’s governance and compliance requirements.
BRENDAN BILSTON | CHAIRMAN
Brendan Bilston served in the Royal Australian Engineer corps of the Australian Army from 1993 to 2004 with an ending rank of Captain. This experience led him to pursue a career in his field, accruing 26 years of experience in engineering and project management. Non-Executive Director & Chairman of security consulting group received his Master’s Degree in Engineering Science (Project Management) from the University of New South Wales in 2000, where he also acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering in 1997.
Brendan maintains his professional persona through his affiliations with Engineers Australia, Property Council of Australia, the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) and the AIPM Industry Council. He is Chartered as a Professional Engineer and a Certified Practising Project Manager. Brendan was honored with the Project of the Year award from the Australian Institute of Project Management in 2008 and 2011, and was also recognized as the ACT Project Manager of the Year in 2011. In 2009 & 2011, Mr. Bilston was awarded the Australian Business Award for Enterprise & Project Management.
KATH WATKIN | SENIOR ASSOCIATE & COMPANY SECRETARY
Kath works closely with the SCG Board to provide management business assistance and a broad range of administrative functions, including finance, human resources, compliance and reporting responsibilities. Kath is a qualified accountant, has a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and is both Company Secretary and a Senior Associate of SCG.
NICK DOULGERIS | PRINCIPAL
Nick’s career in security spans 20 years in design, engineering, advisory and installation. With over eight years in consultancy and 10 years in major security installation works throughout Australia, the UK and Europe, he is experienced in understanding, designing and documenting the security requirements of complex infrastructure in market sectors such as data, custodial, defence, health and high-security industrial.
Nick’s focus is on delivering electronic and SCEC security solutions, from initial security audits and due diligence through to brief development and security master planning, culminating in cutting edge yet achievable facility and security technology designs.
As the world becomes more ICT-centric, Nick has the expertise needed to identify, apply and integrate ICT trends and practices into all forms of security and technology-based projects.
DES DOHERTY |
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
With over 30 years’ experience in the design and delivery of high security projects across ANZ, Asia and the Middle East, Des’ reputation as one of most experienced, respected and pragmatic security consultants in Australia is undoubted. He is regularly engaged by our clients to lead or advise on complex physical, operational or risk issues as they pertain to security and assist them in delivering a cost-effective risk based solution.
Des also leads our Graduate Development and Mentoring programs demonstrating his investment in the future growth of our staff and SCG.
MARK MORROW |
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Spanning a career that includes 20 years with the Queensland Government, Mark has gained extensive experience in the design and delivery of public infrastructure projects as a consulting engineer with the Department of Public Works. In addition, Mark has significant experience in the end-to-end management of custodial security systems as Manager, Electronics with Queensland Corrective Services.
Mark is a SCEC approved security zone consultant and is passionate about designing appropriate and functional electronic systems to support and complement operational procedures and dynamic security measures.
SHAUN CLARK | ASSOCIATE
Shaun is a SCEC Security Zone Consultant and commonly provides advice on the delivery of medium and high security facilities.
He leads projects across government and private sectors in electronic security systems design, physical and perimeter security, communications design, testing and commissioning.
MATTHEW OYSTON | ASSOCIATE
Matthew is a security risk management professional and SCEC Security Zone Consultant with global strategic, advisory and operational experience, and is Principal Security Consultant and Transport Market Sector Lead at SCG.
Over his 20-year career he has developed a unique risk and resilience skillset covering security risk management, crisis and emergency management, travel security and security design engineering.
Matthew has advised a vast array of organisations in both the public and private sectors throughout the Asia Pacific, Middle East and UK, and has a comprehensive understanding of threat environments and the scalable security posture required to manage this ever-changing landscape.
AFIZ JABBAR | ASSOCIATE
As a SCEC Security Zone Consultant with an electrical and communications engineering background, Afiz is SCG’s Technical Delivery Lead, Senior Security Consultant and Defence Market Sector Lead.
He has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and the depth of design, engineering and project management experience needed to lead a range of projects across the defence, government, justice, health, data centre, education, ‘Critical Infrastructure’ and transport sectors.
With specialist knowledge in the design and documentation of physical security solutions and large-scale electronic security systems, Afiz specialises in design, engineering and delivery of integrated security solutions for complex projects.
SIMON WEST | ASSOCIATE
With two decades at Australian Government agencies – including 13 years in national security – Simon brings a wealth of experience to his position as Government and National Security Market Sector Lead.
His past roles have seen him manage the Australian Government’s SCEC Security Zone Consultant Scheme and counter-terrorism and counter-espionage protective security training programs, conduct security risk assessments on vital ‘Critical Infrastructure’ and form part of the Zone 5/SCIF physical security certification team.
Simon has extensive knowledge of security policy and was a contributing editor to the Australian Government’s Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), co-authoring technical notes governing the construction and management of PSPF zones. He’s also provided expert contribution to the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee and presented at numerous government and industry security forums.
GAVIN CRAM | ASSOCIATE
With close to two decades at the Australian Federal Police including a decade in specialist security roles, Gavin has since successfully transferred this expertise to the private sector while continuing to provide subject matter advice to a range of Australian and state government agencies.
As A Senior Protective Security Consultant specialising in risk, assurance and protective security, Gavin’s role extends across the security risk spectrum from executive advisory, risk management, legislation and standards, documentation design, capability development and operational planning.
He also serves as inter-agency and whole-of-government liaison for complex initiatives and fosters strong relationships across clients and industry for optimal security risk outcomes.
BRENTON SHIPP | ASSOCIATE
With strong expertise in security technical services and systems and a background in physics and microelectronic engineering, Brenton’s decade of consulting has seen him advising and delivering projects across high-risk settings in custodial, defence and government, education and health environments.
He is a SCEC Security Zone Consultant whose experience spans audit and compliance, technical security systems design, testing and commissioning, and project delivery for medium- and high-security sites.
Brenton’s expertise in security system design and documentation is supported by unrivalled attention to detail and knowledge of physical security system vulnerabilities.
MEMORIAL
STEVE BARLOW | CO-FOUNDER
Born – June 1964 Died – January 2019
Steve Barlow was a co-founder of Security Consulting Group and had over 25 years’ experience within the security industry. Steve worked on many complex projects locally and internationally and was regarded as an expert in the fields of security risk, strategic planning and systems design, working predominately within the markets of justice, federal government, heath, tertiary education and in the arts and culture.
Steve’s vision in co-founding SCG was to develop a business that would create a lasting legacy within the security industry. The mentoring, guidance and support he provided to everyone at SCG, and those in the wider industry, saw his vision become a reality. We are proud to have known and worked with Steve and to have the opportunity to build on the legacy he helped to create.