About Silverback Security Academy
The Certificate and Diploma in Security Management have been developed in association with Mind Over Matter Consultancy (the UK’s leading Crowded Spaces experts) are credit-rated by Edinburgh Napier University.
Silverback Security Academy was created to provide career development opportunities and flexible career pathways for people working in or intending to work in the security industry, an industry which is rapidly moving towards professionalising its workforce at all levels.
Silverback facilitators and associates have extensive operational experience across the security industry and bring expert knowledge, backed by academic qualifications, to the delivery of its courses in security management.
Silverback is aware that applicants for its courses are likely to be mature adults. Its approach to teaching and learning is therefore based on in depth experience of supporting people returning to learning, helping them to reflect on their own experience and transform that experience into learning.
Silverback is proud to have gained recognition for its courses by two universities, (University of Portsmouth and Buckinghamshire New University), specialising in security. Our successful participants who have earned 240 credits from the Certificate and Diploma courses have gained final degree year places at both universities.
Silverback Security Academy was created to provide career development opportunities and flexible career pathways for people working in or intending to work in the security industry, an industry which is rapidly moving towards professionalising its workforce at all levels.
Silverback facilitators and associates have extensive operational experience across the security industry and bring expert knowledge, backed by academic qualifications, to the delivery of its courses in security management.
Silverback is aware that applicants for its courses are likely to be mature adults. Its approach to teaching and learning is therefore based on in depth experience of supporting people returning to learning, helping them to reflect on their own experience and transform that experience into learning.
Silverback is proud to have gained recognition for its courses by two universities, (University of Portsmouth and Buckinghamshire New University), specialising in security. Our successful participants who have earned 240 credits from the Certificate and Diploma courses have gained final degree year places at both universities.
Learning in the Round
Silverback’s learning and teaching methodology is based on the notion of “Learning in the Round” defined as a “…dynamic and innovative approach to learning in which three sets of actors – Participants, Specialists and Facilitators – combine to transform experience into learning.”
The Learning in the Round approach was developed over the last 20 years, as a response to the particular challenges and opportunities presented by working with mature adults undertaking work-based programmes of learning and development.
Participants, supported by the Facilitator and the Specialist, are encouraged critically to reflect on work-based topics, issues and dilemmas and to share their opinions, approaches and solutions with others in a supportive and productive environment.
Learning in the Round takes learning out of the classroom, using real-life situations, simulations and scenarios drawn directly from the participants’ workplaces. Practical knowledge and understanding are the foundation from which ideas and concepts emerge and can be used productively to promote understanding and learning. Workshops are highly interactive and participants will be expected to engage in a range of activities, including:
The Learning in the Round approach was developed over the last 20 years, as a response to the particular challenges and opportunities presented by working with mature adults undertaking work-based programmes of learning and development.
Participants, supported by the Facilitator and the Specialist, are encouraged critically to reflect on work-based topics, issues and dilemmas and to share their opinions, approaches and solutions with others in a supportive and productive environment.
Learning in the Round takes learning out of the classroom, using real-life situations, simulations and scenarios drawn directly from the participants’ workplaces. Practical knowledge and understanding are the foundation from which ideas and concepts emerge and can be used productively to promote understanding and learning. Workshops are highly interactive and participants will be expected to engage in a range of activities, including:
- Presentations
- Case Studies
- Problem-based and Table-top Exercises
- Exercises, Simulations and Site Visits
Meet Our Team
Carl Dakin QGM, MSc, FdA, MSyI
Before entering the commercial sector in 2013, Carl Dakin served for 25 years in the British Army, enlisting into the Parachute Regiment but spending most of his career in UK Special Forces. Currently runs Dakin Consulting Ltd. delivering security and business continuity capability and advice to high-end corporate clients in London and the UK
Patrick Smith Emeritus Professor
Professor Patrick Smith does not fall into the normal pattern of the academic professor, though he has published extensively on the subjects of learning, education and the role of each in leadership. Patrick’s passion centres on how people transform their experience into useful and productive knowledge. In over 50 years he has facilitated learning events in tents, on firing ranges, in derelict buildings, outdoor and indoor arenas,
Anne Mathews MA PGCert.
Anne worked as a Vocational Qualifications Manager at a department of Oxford University specialising in assessment and qualification development where she worked on accredited professional development courses for business and industry. More recently drawn into the Silverback circle of specialists to take on the role of Quality Assurance and Development Manager.
The Associates
Ian Rivers MSc Fd(A) MSyI
Ian joined the British Army aged 19 years and after a full, varied and successful military career, culminating with service in UKSF, he entered the commercial market in 2011. Currently responsible for the operational risk and training for Ark RMG and regularly deploys overseas.
Pauline Cranmer, QAM, MA, DipHep, MCPara
Providing leadership on single stations through to sectors, and the Emergency Operations Centre culminating in her current role as Director of Ambulance services, where she is responsible for the service delivery across London. In 2019 Pauline was awarded the Queens Ambulance Medal in the New Year’s honours list for distinguished service.
Raymond Fellows, MSc, CSyP, MSyI, Tech IOSH
Ray joined the commercial security industry in 2003 after a lengthy military career which culminated as a member of the UK Special Forces. With over 30 years security experience garnered from the UK and international high risk / challenging and corporate environments, Ray is the CEO of Eclipse Strategic Security Ltd.
Chris Kemp Professor PhD MA BA
Chris Kemp Professor PhD MA BA ASSOCIATE Professor Chris Kemp was a former rock promoter, venue manager and Pro Vice Chancellor. He is now the CEO of Mind over Matter Consultancy (MoM).
Gavin Butler BA(Hons) MSc DipAPI FHEA
Gavin Butleris currently an Associate Tutor for Silverback Security Academy, an External Tutor for Portsmouth University, an External Assessor for Leicester University and an External Examiner for the University of Chester.
Toby Moores Skylift UAV, CEO
Toby is an entrepreneur and investor in disruptive technologies most notably in the media, cellular and biotech sectors. His investments include the PIN number patent for every phone sold in the US and UK, Pay- As-You-Go scratch cards (also known as top-up cards used to pay for Wi-Fi, downloads, and call minutes), and a bacteriophage alternative to antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA.
Toby is an entrepreneur and investor in disruptive technologies most notably in the media, cellular and biotech sectors. His investments include the PIN number patent for every phone sold in the US and UK, Pay- As-You-Go scratch cards (also known as top-up cards used to pay for Wi-Fi, downloads, and call minutes), and a bacteriophage alternative to antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA.
He is the owner and CEO of Sleepydog Ltd., best known for creating Buzz: The Music Quiz for Sony. It became SCEE's fastest selling original title in their history to reach $100 million in sales. It remains the world’s biggest music for video games license ever. Toby has an Honorary Doctorate in Technology from De Montfort University and is a Visiting Professor in new media research at two UK universities. He has also provided social media services to Thomson Reuters, the World Bank and the three main political parties in the UK.
Toby holds a commercial pilot’s licence and has fixed and rotary wing time. He is also a qualified drone pilot. He believes UAVs are the small difference that will make a big difference to aviation, logistics and SAR. Skylift UAV ltd was set up specifically to capitalise on those differences.
