​DAVID SUMNER - CHAIRMAN
David Sumner brings over 30 years of global leadership experience across the defence, healthcare, mining, and cleantech sectors, with a strong focus on corporate finance and strategic development. He has served in both executive and non-executive roles on the boards of numerous private and publicly listed companies.

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Throughout his career, Mr Sumner has consistently demonstrated his expertise in capital markets, successfully raising both debt and equity funding internationally. He has led six companies through IPO, establishing a proven track record in building and scaling businesses for public markets.

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Having spent the majority of his professional life in the Middle East and Asia, Mr Sumner has developed extensive networks within government agencies and the corporate sector worldwide. He is particularly known for his ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and drive outcomes that deliver broad-based value.

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In addition to his business achievements, Mr Sumner is the founding trustee of The Sumner Foundation, established in 2019, which reflects his long-standing commitment to philanthropy and social impact.

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JASON CALDER MBE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jason Calder served as an Infantry Officer for 23 years, leaving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army.  During that time he saw operational service in the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan both as an armoured infantry commander in 7 Armoured Brigade and in an air landing role with 16 Air Assault Brigade.  He also held senior positions as the Chief of Staff for all armoured training in British Forces Germany, and as a strategic planner within the UK's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.  His final role was in the Ministry of Defence as the lead for Dismounted Close Combat equipment acquisition.

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In the private sector, Mr Calder has spent 13 years in Financial Services, firstly as a Programme Director with BNY Mellon and subsequently as the Head of Change and interim Chief Transformation Officer with a UK based pension fund.  His expertise has included leading large-scale  global programmes to both remediate and implement complex regulations; leading strategic transformation projects to help businesses become more agile and effective in meeting client expectations; in fixing foundational operating issues; and in developing target models to meet business needs in line with maturing corporate strategy.

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Mr Calder is a graduate of the UK's Advanced Command and Staff Course, achieved an MA in Defence Technology from Cranfield University, majored in Corporate Strategy for his MBA with the Open University and was awarded an MBE in 2011 for leadership whilst in the British Army.

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MR MICHAEL R CLARKE (CCEP, NACD.DC) - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michael R. Clarke is Founder and Principal of Jaeger-Plymouth Advisors, LLC, a risk management advisory firm focused on assisting companies with ethics & compliance program assessments, expert witness and litigation support services, risk assessments and support for investigations and corrective actions.  Previously, he served for over six years as Deputy General Counsel & Global Chief Compliance Officer of Convatec, Inc., a FTSE 100 global medical technology company.  For nearly 23 years, Michael implemented third-party business risk management programs and mitigated internal human capital and commercial risks through his creation and management of global ethics and compliance programs for life sciences and healthcare entities.  

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Before his in-house career, Michael practised law for 14 years; is director-certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors; and is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional. He received his Juris Doctorate from Cornell Law School and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University. 

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BRIAN MAIR - GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

During a 30 year extensive and varied career in the Royal Navy, specialising in Diving and Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Brian saw operational service in numerous conflicts across the globe. In addition to ship command he also taught Joint Operational Campaign Planning at home and abroad, served in the Permanent Joint Headquarters and was a Project Manager in the Ministry of Defence.  After a year as a student of the Defence School of Language, his final appointment was a Diplomatic role in the Middle East.  

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On leaving the service as a Commander, having completed a Masters Degree in Security & Risk Management, he transitioned smoothly into the civilian world by working in the Port Special Systems department during the construction of a mega port in Abu Dhabi.  This was followed by a senior Corporate Security position with SHELL acting as their Regional Security Manager for Africa. This role, based in Lagos, was responsible for creating a secure business operating environment, minimizing loss and, crucially, safeguarding reputation of SHELL in one of the most complex and high threat security regions in the Group. Brian held a similar role in Mozambique with Anadarko, a large US independent company.

 

JAMES MARTIN-DEHTIAROV - GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT​

James Martin-Dehtiarov is a former British Army officer with operational and leadership experience that includes specialist roles in heavy weapons, tactical operations, and intelligence. After transitioning from the military, he spent several years working on intelligence-driven initiatives with both large multinational and boutique finance firms, focusing on strategic insights, operational frameworks, and complex problem-solving in dynamic environments.

Since returning to the defence sector in 2022, he has overseen specialised operations in challenging environments, coordinating multifaceted protective and intelligence efforts. His role has encompassed collaboration with a diverse range of partners, integrating risk assessment and strategic planning to facilitate mission success in complex and dynamic settings.

In parallel, he has advised the Ministry of Defence, along with European OEMs and NATO governments, on the procurement and delivery of critical defence capabilities. He has led and structured major acquisition programmes, integrating intelligence and logistics to improve transparency and resilience, and has supported senior military and ministerial teams on strategy and operational priorities.​

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BRADLY BISHOP - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT​

Bradly Bishop brings over 25 years of distinguished service in U.S. intelligence, diplomatic, and security operations. He served with the CIA’s Clandestine Service and Directorate of Operations, as well as the U.S. Department of State, where he led multiple CIA stations and managed complex international programs and multidisciplinary teams.

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Mr. Bishop’s extensive program management experience spans the U.S. and international intelligence, security, and military communities. He is recognized as a subject matter expert in Compartmented Programs and in operations conducted in austere and hostile environments. His eight foreign diplomatic postings included conflict zones and strategic locations across Europe, Australasia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

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Before joining the CIA, Mr. Bishop served as a Deputy Sheriff in Colorado and spent over six years in the United States Army, holding both tactical and strategic assignments in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.

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Mr. Bishop earned a Bachelor of Arts in Central and East European Studies from The Colorado College and is professionally fluent in Russian, having attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.

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A recipient of the CIA Career Commendation Medal, Mr. Bishop worked extensively with foreign intelligence and security services worldwide, providing training, operational and logistical support, subject matter expertise, and leadership in joint intelligence initiatives.

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JUDY ROBERT - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT​

Mrs Robert has over 30 years of experience in international business development management and government relations. Judy has an impressive proven track record across all sectors with a particular emphasis on Defence systems and technologies. She has sourced, negotiated and closed numerous multi-million-dollar government-funded deals in the Latin American, Caribbean and European markets.​

 

Based in Israel, Judy is fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

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MANDIP TIWANA - INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT

Mandip has over 20 years of International recruitment experience across the healthcare, social care, construction, and labour sectors. Having held various senior industry positions, Mandip has a deep understanding of, and  expertise relating to, the supply of human resources for critical industries  for both the private and public sectors.
 
Mandip has been successful in winning multiple large UK government contracts for the supply of manpower under government awarded national framework agreements. She has developed numerous International recruitment campaigns in Southern and Eastern Asia and has a deep understanding of the  complex regulatory and immigration systems involved in large scale deployments
 
Mandip holds a BA (Hons) in Humanities from the University of Greenwich.

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