Harry’s firm is all set to have a very secure future
International bodyguard Harry Welshman is aiming to secure a successful business future in Sunderland.
After a career protecting the lives all over the world was grounded by the pandemic, Harry has launched his own business – Guardian International Security Group – and is looking forward to sharing his unique experience with the next generation of security personnel.
Based at Sunderland’s Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), Harry aims to train and employ local talent, providing wide-ranging security services to different markets and specialising in the close protection at home and abroad.
Harry said: “I’ve worked for more than twenty years in private security, specialising in close protection of celebrities, business people and military personnel in hot spots around the world.
"I’ve also worked for NGOs, religious groups and clients who are at risk of harm. There are lots of training companies that can teach the theory from a textbook but they have little real-world experience.”
He added: “I plan to train first-class security personnel by preparing them for what to really expect and how to cope with the unexpected situations that these things throw at you.”
Harry’s career began in the military before he moved to New York to act as a bodyguard for a US senator.
When Covid-19 hit and international travel became impossible, he returned to Sunderland to be near friends but with no way of earning a living – until he found out about the Government’s New Enterprise Allowance Programme (NEA) and worked with the BIC’s Janice Marsh.
Within three months he had a city centre office and his new business was off the ground.
Harry added: “I don’t hang about! I knew what I wanted and Janice was brilliant at helping me to keep up that momentum."
Janice said: “Harry is a perfect example of someone with entrepreneurial ambitions who has used the opportunity of lockdown to change their future.
“It’s been a pleasure to help him put in place the foundations of what I’m sure will become an exciting and successful business.”