We caught up with Paul during a rare quiet spell. Before exploring his motivation for selecting Protect, it was logical to establish his credentials and discuss his experience.

‘Like so many lads, I enlisted just before my eighteenth birthday, joining 29 Commando as part of a team providing tactical support for the Marines. The next seven years were spent on active service in Afghanistan and Kosovo. That’s where I learned the tricks of the trade that have served me so well.’

Opportunities in IbizaAfter leaving the army, while providing security at Didcot Power Station in 2010, Paul met the BBA’s Shaun West. A shared copy of The Circuit gave him a glimpse of the Association’s work – and bodyguarding opportunities in Ibiza!

Tyler again: ‘I was hooked the minute I read that article, contacted the writer and tried to get some work out in the sun. I pestered them until they gave me a contract. It was a blast!’

Paul worked in Ibiza for two years, before returning to the UK to be closer to his young family. Since discovering the BBA, he’s remained committed to the Association’s work and a firm believer in its value for the industry and CPOs alike.

BBA membership makes so much sense‘BBA membership makes so much sense, ‘ Paul explains. ‘Our industry can be very lonely at times, so it’s good to know you’re part of an organisation run by guys who really know close protection and look out for each other. Whether it’s the networking, the continuous professional development (CPD) or the news and jobs in The Circuit, BBA membership is a no-brainer for any professional CPO.’

It’s a credit to the BBA’s two founders, both active CPOs with extensive experience, that the organisation continues to develop new member offerings.

‘They’ve come a long way over the last few years,‘ says Tyler, ‘and one of the best things is the relevance of the membership benefits

– not least the new premium Protect and Protect+ memberships that complement existing Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.’

Protect was designed for BBA membersProtect was designed with specialist insurance broker Lockton to make it easy for BBA members to upgrade to a premium membership with insurance as standard.

Paul Tyler again: ‘As CPOs, we’re used to looking after ourselves and our principals. Because we usually come from military backgrounds, where benefits are provided automatically, it’s easy to overlook these once we’re in civilian roles. In my opinion, that’s a mistake. Think about it: who protects the protector?’

BBA membership The close protection officer’s story

Paul Tyler epitomises today’s professional close protection officer. Since serving in Afghanistan and Kosovo, he’s built a successful career in close protection, looking after high net-worth individuals, their families and assets in Europe and the UK.

Case Study

His success is at least partially down to excellent risk assessment, persistence and decision making skills. No surprise then that Paul was quick to take advantage of the British Bodyguard Association’s (BBA) new Protect premium membership package…

Tyler is alluding to the diverse exposure facing CPOs. This varies by assignment and location, but typically includes public liability, professional indemnity and personal accident.

I took advantage of Protect‘That’s why I was delighted to see the BBA’s new offering – and why I took advantage of Protect membership, which is designed for primarily UK-resident CPOs. It gives me PI cover, public liability protection and personal accident cover when I’m at work. And all the other BBA membership benefits such as CPD and my regular copy of The Circuit.’

It’s often hard for CPOs to get insuranceAs he talks about CPO insurance, Tyler makes the important point that it’s often hard for CPOs to find insurers who are willing to cover them: ‘Most other companies want silly money to cover people like me and most employers won’t take you on without insurance. So sometimes you can get stuck in the middle with no-one to help.’

‘It’s understandable, given the inherent risks of our work. The UK and Europe are bad enough, but the risks are much higher for contracts in hostile environments like Iraq or Afghanistan. That’s where Protect+ comes into its own. They’ve designed it specifically for armed CPOs working in the world’s unfriendliest places. Best of all, the level of membership can be adjusted between contracts, or if the CPO works back in the UK for a while.’

It’s easy to upgrade BBA membershipThe BBA developed Protect and Protect+ after identifying gaps in the market for CPO membership and insurance. As well as offering an enhanced membership level consistent with a leading professional trade body, the new membership grades make it easy for CPOs to upgrade their membership.

‘I found it very easy to get monthly membership cover,’ explains Tyler, ‘and it’s all done online via the BBA website, with no long-winded application process and form filling. You can pay with PayPal too, and there’s even cover in transit, which other policies don’t provide.’

I’d recommend the BBA and Protect to any CPOWith the conversation ending, we asked Paul whether he’d recommend the BBA and its Protect membership packages to others. His answer was unequivocally affirmative: ‘Absolutely, and I always do; especially for job ads, training and insurance there’s no better place if you’re a CPO.’

‘With the BBA you get so much more than just being part of the Association. And with Protect and Protect+ it just got even better!’

‘That’s why I was delighted to see the BBA’s new offering – and why I’ve taken advantage of Protect membership, which is designed for primarily UK-resident CPOs working in non-hostile environments.’

‘I found it very easy to get monthly membership cover and it’s all done online via the BBA website, with no long-winded application process and form filling.’

The British Bodyguard AssociationBBA CorporateSuite 27 58 Low Friar StreetNewcastle NE1 5UE

E admin@the-bba.org.ukT +44 (0) 191 6450 865

For more information visit: www.the-bba.org.uk