Fiona Strens appointed chair of the Board at Corps Security

Strens’ new role will begin in April when she succeeds Chris Nickols, who steps down after serving his full term. Over the coming months, Nickols will stay on as a non-executive director to support Strens’ transition.

Strens brings experience to the role thanks to a 30-year career spanning defence, security, public safety and resilience, within which there have been senior strategy and leadership roles across both the public and private sectors. Her work has consistently focused on delivering impact through innovation, collaboration and data-driven decision-making, including the application of Artificial Intelligence.

Academic career 

Strens is a professor and centre director at the University of Lincoln, where she leads the Centre for Defence and Security Artificial Intelligence, which works to deliver advantage and resilience for UK national security, drawing on the capability and ambition of the University of Lincoln and its partners.

Previously, Strens was professor of practice in security and resilience at the University of Strathclyde.

Strens co-founded the Artificial Intelligence-enabled video analytics company CrowdVision and led the business for ten years. Her career has also included senior roles within the Government, including at the Ministry of Defence.

Strens will now head up the Board at Corps Security, which comprises Mike Bullock (CEO), Kathryn Fleming (non-executive director), Chris Nickols (non-executive director) and Paul Craggs (chief financial officer).

Growth and modernisation 

Commenting on her appointment as chair of Corps Security, Strens said: “I’m delighted to become chair of Corps Security following my contribution as non-executive director for the past four years. The company can be proud of what has been achieved of late: a combination of growth and modernisation, while preserving the sense of purpose and ethos that makes this business so special.”

Strens added: “I look forward to working with the Board, the CEO and members of the wider team to accelerate and consolidate this progress, developing forward-thinking strategies that enhance security, efficiency and innovation for all of our many customers and strengthen the performance and resilience of Corps Security as an organisation.”

Mike Bullock responded: “Fiona has been an integral part of the Board at Corps Security since 2021 and I’m thrilled to see her become chair. Her breadth of experience across defence, security and resilience is invaluable. I would also like to thank Chris Nickols for his dedication over the last six years. Corps Security extends its sincere thanks for his contribution and commitment to the organisation and we wish him well for the future.”

*Further information is available online at www.corpsecurity.co.uk