About:
Absolute Risk Management was not created in a boardroom, It was built out of experience, and out of frustration.
Over more than 30 years operating across military, government, and global corporate environments, one pattern became impossible to ignore:
Security was being designed for paper, not for reality. Across critical infrastructure, oil and gas, telecommunications, and global operations, the same issues surfaced repeatedly:
Reports that looked impressive but delivered little operational value
Risk registers disconnected from actual threat and vulnerability
Security systems installed but not integrated
Guard forces present but not effective
Strategies written, but never truly executed
In many cases, organisations believed they were secure, just because documentation said so. But when tested against real-world conditions, those assumptions failed. Absolute Risk Management was established to challenge that model. We exist to deliver security that works under pressure, not just security that satisfies process. The approach is built on lived experience, from remote, high-risk environments to global enterprise programmes, where failure is not theoretical, and consequences are immediate.
At its core, the philosophy is simple, security must be operational, integrated, and verifiable, and every recommendation must:
Reflect real threat and real vulnerability
Be deliverable within the operational environment
Integrate people, process, and technology
Stand up to scrutiny when it matters
Absolute Risk Management does not produce templated outputs. It delivers tailored, context-driven solutions:
Practical
Implementable
Measurable
Aligned to business operations
Because after 30 years in the field, one truth remains:
Security is not defined by what is written… It is defined by what performs when tested.
Testimonials
VP, QHSSE - IHS Towers
Safety culture transformation expert, HSE and Sustainability management professional
I was fortunate to work with Jake in IHS Towers, and I would recommend him to any organization that is facing serious security challenges. Jake possesses unparallel knowledge in security management, crisis management and emergency response; his experience includes working in some of the harshest environments on the planet. Jake has a rare ability to lead and also work efficiently as a team member. He is also a great coach who willingly shares his knowledge and experience with the younger generation of employees. He never loses composure and acts quickly and decisively under pressure. His solid security background, integrity, openness, genuine care for people and sense of humour make him an invaluable addition to any team.
Technical Director Poultry EURAM; MSD Animal Health
I had the privilege of working with Jake when he advised my group on risks and what was required to mitigate them. A fountain of knowledge and, more importantly, sensible and pragmatic in his advice. He clearly understood the business requirements and balanced this very carefully with personal safety. He was a huge loss to the organisation when he decided to move on - an individual that was not able to be replaced. Jake is a huge asset to any business that is lucky enough to have him on their team.
Jose Santos, MBA, PMP, CISSP, PSP
Technical Program Manager | Physical Security | Audit & Compliance | Global Risk Manager
I had the privilege of working under Jake, and I can confidently say he is one of the most impactful leaders I’ve worked with. Jake has a rare ability to balance strategic vision with genuine care for their team. He consistently fostered a supportive and collaborative environment, always putting people’s wellbeing at the forefront. What stood out most was his ability to influence and communicate effectively at all levels — whether engaging with senior leadership or connecting with the team on a personal level. His approachable and friendly style built trust and encouraged openness, while his guidance and mentorship inspired us to perform at our best. Working with Jake not only helped me grow professionally but also shaped the way I view leadership. He is a true advocate for people, culture, and performance — and any organization would be fortunate to have them leading their teams.
Senior Manager, Security Operations @ IHS Towers | Risk Management, Security Strategy
Working with Jake Philips has been a truly valuable experience. His leadership stands out because he doesn’t just direct, he genuinely invests in your growth and challenges you to improve daily. Thanks to Jake, I’ve grown significantly both personally and professionally. He leads by example, provides strong support when needed, and offers guidance that makes a difference. Jake is more than a manager; he’s a leader who develops other leaders. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from him and for the positive impact he’s had on my development.
The Founder:
Jake Phillips spent 30 years demanding exactly the kind of security assessments he now delivers. Understanding an environment properly takes time and presence. It means sitting with people, asking questions, building trust — in hotels, in the field, sometimes under a tree in the bush. The relationships built through that process are not incidental to the work. They are the work. They are what turns a written assessment into something that will actually function when tested.
As a former British Army officer, graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and senior security leader across some of the world's most complex operating environments, Jake has led security programmes across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, for global telecoms companies, oil and gas operators, mining firms, global pharmaceutical organisations, and technology organisations.
He's been the security director on the other side of the table, the one rejecting substandard reports, insisting on in-country verification, and taking responsibility for the safety of people operating in genuinely hostile environments.
That experience is what Absolute Risk Management is built on. Not frameworks borrowed from a textbook. Not intelligence gathered from a news feed. Thirty years of ground truth.
Jake Phillips MSyI, AIOSH
