Experience That Goes Beyond the Classroom.
Great training starts with people who understand how knowledge and skills are applied in the real world.
Our experienced security and first aid trainers combine professional training qualifications with backgrounds spanning operational security, policing, public protection, crowd management, first aid and emergency medical response.
That experience helps us bring learning to life through practical examples, realistic scenarios and first-hand industry knowledge, giving our learners the confidence to apply what they have learned beyond the classroom.
Meet some of the people behind our training.
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Austin Cowburn
Austin Cowburn is an experienced Training Manager and freelance security trainer with over 12 years of operational experience within the private security and live events industries.
With a career spanning major sporting events, iconic venues and high-profile international events, Austin brings extensive practical experience to his training. He has represented Manchester United at major domestic and European fixtures, including FA Cup Finals, League Cup Finals, Europa League Finals and Champions League matches, and has worked at some of the world’s most recognised sporting venues, including Old Trafford, Wembley Stadium, Camp Nou in Barcelona, Allianz Arena in Munich, Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville and the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
Austin is passionate about developing people and delivering training that is engaging, practical and relevant to the realities of working in the security industry. His experience extends beyond the classroom, having held senior operational, management and recruitment positions involving the leadership, training and management of large teams across nationwide operations.
As a qualified trainer, assessor and Internal Quality Assurer, Austin delivers a range of security and safety qualifications, including SIA Door Supervisor and Door Supervisor Refresher, Emergency First Aid at Work, First Aid at Work and Spectator Safety. He also delivers operational training for security officers, supervisors and managers.
His professional qualifications include a Level 3 Award in Education and Training, Level 3 Conflict Management and Physical Intervention delivery qualifications, Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement, Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance, FREC 3 and Level 3 Spectator Safety Supervision.
Austin’s training philosophy is simple: combine professional knowledge with genuine operational experience to give learners the confidence, knowledge and practical understanding they need to succeed in the security industry.
Based in Dorset, Austin delivers training locally and nationwide.
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Kelly Critchett
Kelly served 21 years with Sussex Police, her experiences include the counter terrorism armed unit, public order and latterly as a protest liaison officer.
Kellys key work was with the training unit, working with young offenders on the restorative justice programme before moving into Police Foundation Training. In Police Foundation Training Kellys attention was community engagement and equality and diversity. She was a key contributor to the design and building of the Sussex Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP). Subsequently taking up visiting lecturer status at University of Brighton, delivering learning, and completing internal moderation and verification.
Kelly was awarded Fulbright Police Scholarship and conducted research relating to women’s underrepresentation in the Police rank structure, taking her to Los Angeles on attachment to Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and as visiting Scholar at University of Southern California (USC).
On leaving the Police Kelly developed her management skills, working in both public space and corporate security environments, and is a registered member of the Security Institute.
Kelly has a keen focus on developing individuals to be their best and striving for equality and fairness in the workplace. She has been engaged as a training consultant in the Middle East, designing and delivering security and military courses.
Kelly holds an undergraduate degree in Cultural and Historical Studies (University of Brighton), Certificate in Education (University of Brighton), Diploma in Diversity Training and is a Chartered Manager.
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Leo Burdock
Leo Burdock is an experienced security and medical training professional with a background spanning operational security, protective services, emergency medical response and vocational training.
With experience across both the security and medical sectors, Leo brings a practical, operational perspective to his training. His professional background includes specialist protection and security work alongside medical roles within operational and production environments, giving him first-hand experience of working in situations where effective decision-making, communication and emergency response are essential.
Leo has particular experience in FREC 3 and pre-hospital emergency care, supporting learners to develop the practical knowledge and confidence required to respond effectively in challenging environments. His training approach is grounded in realistic scenarios and practical application, helping learners understand how their skills translate into real-world situations.
His wider experience within the security and protection sector also enables him to bring relevant operational examples into security training, particularly where medical response, personal safety and incident management overlap.
Areas of expertise include:
- First aid and emergency medical response
- FREC 3 / pre-hospital emergency care
- Security and protective services
- Operational medical support
- Personal protection and security
- Incident response and emergency procedures
- Security-sector training
- Practical, scenario-based learning
Leo is passionate about delivering training that is practical, engaging and relevant to real-world situations. He combines technical knowledge with operational experience to help delegates build the confidence and competence they need to respond effectively when it matters.
