What the role involves
Close protection operatives protect individuals from harm: assessing threats, planning journeys and venues, working in teams around a principal, and responding to incidents discreetly. The role demands planning, judgement and fitness far beyond front-line guarding.
Qualification and licence route
- Complete first aid where the route requires it.
- Pass the Close Protection licence-linked qualification: see the course
- Apply to the SIA and pay the £204 fee.
- Pass identity and background checks and receive the licence.
Training requirements
Current SIA guidance lists Close Protection training at 194 hours over 18 days. Check the current higher-level first-aid requirement.
Skills employers want
- Threat and risk assessment
- Operational and journey planning
- Surveillance awareness
- Discretion, professionalism and fitness
- Advanced first aid and conflict management
Work environments
- Private clients and families
- Corporate executives and boards
- Entertainment, sport and public figures
- High-risk and overseas assignments through specialist firms
- Residential and estate security
Hours and conditions
Long and irregular days that follow the principal, including travel, overnight stays and periods away from home. Much work is contract-based.
Pay factors
- Client type and risk level
- UK residential work versus travel and overseas deployments
- Experience, references and specialist skills such as driving or medical
- Team leader and operations roles
- Contract length and whether work is direct or through a provider
How to find first work
- Build references through reputable close-protection providers
- Keep the higher-level first-aid qualification current
- Consider Door Supervisor or event work to demonstrate reliability first
- Network within the industry; much work is introduced rather than advertised
Progression
Team leader, operations manager or security director for a client; specialist streams such as residential, corporate or executive protection; training and consultancy.
