Management Team
We are pleased to have an equally gender balanced leadership team that actively promotes equality and diversity, empowering people across the organisation to reach their full potential and provide unrivalled levels of service to our clients.
Senior management
With each member of our senior management team partaking leadership roles in renown industry associations, they proactively spearhead new initiatives to drive forward the industries we operate in. Having decided to remove the use of subcontractors to deliver core, non-specialist, roles since April 2024, their leadership hopes to inspire other industry leaders to prioritise ethical labour practices to elevate standards and attract as well as retain top talent.
As true advocates of 360-degree transparency, our leadership teams are intent on making people and places the best they can be, providing colleagues, customers and communities with the best conditions and opportunities to thrive.
Paul Evans
Chief Executive Officer
Joining Carlisle Support Services in 2015 as Managing Director, and promoted to CEO in January 2019, Paul oversees the transformation of the business.
With a career spanning the last two decades in the facilities management sector, and having worked his way up from the front-line, he is passionate about making sure our business strategy remains aligned to our employee-led and customer-centric values.
As CEO, Paul leads our experienced senior team at Carlisle. An operational and commercially focused leader, Paul ensures that Carlisle continues to deliver on their commitment to being the industry’s ‘most trusted partner’, which it does by being completely transparent and honest in all that it does.
In addition, Paul is also the Vice Chair of the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association (UKCMA) and was previously Co-Chair of the Living Wage Foundation Recognised Service Provider’s Leadership Group, and an Executive Officer of the National Association of Healthcare Security (NAHS) from 2020-23.
With a career spanning the last two decades in the facilities management sector, and having worked his way up from the front-line, he is passionate about making sure our business strategy remains aligned to our employee-led and customer-centric values.
As CEO, Paul leads our experienced senior team at Carlisle. An operational and commercially focused leader, Paul ensures that Carlisle continues to deliver on their commitment to being the industry’s ‘most trusted partner’, which it does by being completely transparent and honest in all that it does.
In addition, Paul is also the Vice Chair of the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association (UKCMA) and was previously Co-Chair of the Living Wage Foundation Recognised Service Provider’s Leadership Group, and an Executive Officer of the National Association of Healthcare Security (NAHS) from 2020-23.
Abigail Lovat
Group Finance Director
Abigail qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor at KPMG where she worked for four years as a Tax Consultant in their People Services division.
In 2012, Abigail joined OPROGROUP becoming Finance Director soon after. During her time there she oversaw the entire finance function, working closely with the Senior Management Team, she drove significant growth for the group through acquisition and expansion into new markets both internationally and through a strong digital sales strategy. In 2019 she took over manufacturing and operations for a key division of the business driving efficiency and strong customer service levels to meet growing demand.
Abigail joined Carlisle at the beginning of 2022 as Financial Controller and has worked closely with the finance team to drive accuracy and implement key controls and processes, alongside the implementation of a new finance system.
In 2012, Abigail joined OPROGROUP becoming Finance Director soon after. During her time there she oversaw the entire finance function, working closely with the Senior Management Team, she drove significant growth for the group through acquisition and expansion into new markets both internationally and through a strong digital sales strategy. In 2019 she took over manufacturing and operations for a key division of the business driving efficiency and strong customer service levels to meet growing demand.
Abigail joined Carlisle at the beginning of 2022 as Financial Controller and has worked closely with the finance team to drive accuracy and implement key controls and processes, alongside the implementation of a new finance system.
Adrian White
Chief Operating Officer
Adrian has been involved in the support services sector for over 20 years, where he has built and sustained market-leading businesses in the outsourced services sector.
The key focus he maintains is to see things through the eyes of the customer and front-line employees.
Adrian will hold overall responsibility for our Security, Cleaning, Retail and Events operations, focused on delivering a long term operating strategy that address the current market challenges whilst delivering a sustainable and consistent approach to service delivery across the board. He has vast experience working with a wide range of blue-chip clients and has experience across a range of sectors and service lines. Having started his career on the shop floor within the retail sector, Adrian has a natural affinity with our front-line employees and ensures he spends dedicated time with his teams.
In his spare time, Adrian is also a Trustee of a Multi Academy Trust in Northampton.
The key focus he maintains is to see things through the eyes of the customer and front-line employees.
Adrian will hold overall responsibility for our Security, Cleaning, Retail and Events operations, focused on delivering a long term operating strategy that address the current market challenges whilst delivering a sustainable and consistent approach to service delivery across the board. He has vast experience working with a wide range of blue-chip clients and has experience across a range of sectors and service lines. Having started his career on the shop floor within the retail sector, Adrian has a natural affinity with our front-line employees and ensures he spends dedicated time with his teams.
In his spare time, Adrian is also a Trustee of a Multi Academy Trust in Northampton.
Alex Collins
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Alex has worked in the Facilities Management sector for over 15 years transitioning from a military background to embarking upon a career in security services operating at various levels.
He has previously played a pivotal role in the creation and development of new service lines supplying products into the Facilities Management sector.
At Carlisle, Alex is responsible for the business growth activities for our Cleaning, Events, Security, and Retail business entities. Alongside this overarching responsibility, Alex also manages key customer relationships to support the company’s ambitious sales strategy and plans.
He has previously played a pivotal role in the creation and development of new service lines supplying products into the Facilities Management sector.
At Carlisle, Alex is responsible for the business growth activities for our Cleaning, Events, Security, and Retail business entities. Alongside this overarching responsibility, Alex also manages key customer relationships to support the company’s ambitious sales strategy and plans.
Andrew Flannagan
HSQE Director
As our HSQE & Support Services Director, Andrew provides ‘value added’ professional and technical support across the organisation, working closely with the Executive and Senior Management Team.
Andrew strategically promotes and delivers all aspects of health, safety, and compliance, managing accreditations, internal and external audits, and ensuring that the business complies with all statutory and legal obligations including compliance with the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
With extensive experience gained from senior roles with GEOAmey and Premier Support Services, Andrew has developed strong technical HSQE and compliance across complex multi-industrial environments and will continue to lead a robust Health, Safety, Quality and Environment strategy for Carlisle, providing strategic leadership to drive effective risk management throughout our operations.
Andrew strategically promotes and delivers all aspects of health, safety, and compliance, managing accreditations, internal and external audits, and ensuring that the business complies with all statutory and legal obligations including compliance with the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
With extensive experience gained from senior roles with GEOAmey and Premier Support Services, Andrew has developed strong technical HSQE and compliance across complex multi-industrial environments and will continue to lead a robust Health, Safety, Quality and Environment strategy for Carlisle, providing strategic leadership to drive effective risk management throughout our operations.
Nicole Baker
Director of Marketing and Bid Management
Nicole joined Carlisle Support Services in 2016 and is responsible for the overall management of all strategic and operational Marketing and Bid Management activities supporting new Business Development.
With a true passion for communicating our company mission, vision, and values, she oversees the creation and delivery of our internal and external communication and digital strategies.
To allow the bid management function to deliver, Nicole provides leadership and guidance to internal stakeholders on best practices, implementation and strategy bid development.
With a true passion for communicating our company mission, vision, and values, she oversees the creation and delivery of our internal and external communication and digital strategies.
To allow the bid management function to deliver, Nicole provides leadership and guidance to internal stakeholders on best practices, implementation and strategy bid development.
Rebecca Chinn
Head of Legal
Rebecca has been working in-house for almost nine years across various industries in the commercial and public sector. Most recently, at Connected Places Catapult who operate predominantly across the transport sector.
Having completed her studies at the University of Law, Rebecca specialises in Commercial and Contract Law. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Head of Legal, with extensive expertise across a range of commercial, operational, and legal practices.
Rebecca has a passion for health and fitness and enjoys travelling frequently. She is also a member of the In-House Lawyers Association.
Having completed her studies at the University of Law, Rebecca specialises in Commercial and Contract Law. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Head of Legal, with extensive expertise across a range of commercial, operational, and legal practices.
Rebecca has a passion for health and fitness and enjoys travelling frequently. She is also a member of the In-House Lawyers Association.
Suzanne Hawkins
HR Director
With 27 years of experience within the HR remit, Suzanne is a focused senior HR professional with proven experience in developing and implementing people strategies to improve business performance across all sectors.
With a passion for continuous development and ensuring employees are given the right channels of support in their daily roles, Suzanne impact on the implementation and TUPE process for new contracts is invaluable.
With a passion for continuous development and ensuring employees are given the right channels of support in their daily roles, Suzanne impact on the implementation and TUPE process for new contracts is invaluable.
Wider leadership team
John Lambert
Managing Director, Security and Events North
John started his security career in policing, before gaining significant experience in security operations and solution design for nuclear sites, healthcare, and other critical national infrastructure locations.
John’s passion and subject matter expertise sits within healthcare security management.
Following a year working in the labour provider world to understand the issues and effect change, John has made the move to Carlisle, where corners aren’t cut, and improving the share price isn’t the overriding factor in decision making.
John is a Board Member of the Security Skills Board, Member of the Security Institute, Executive Officer for the National Association of Healthcare Security (NAHS), Associate Member of the Emergency Planning Society, and a Trustee for BILD ACT; the certification body for the Restraint Reduction Network Training Standards.
John’s passion and subject matter expertise sits within healthcare security management.
Following a year working in the labour provider world to understand the issues and effect change, John has made the move to Carlisle, where corners aren’t cut, and improving the share price isn’t the overriding factor in decision making.
John is a Board Member of the Security Skills Board, Member of the Security Institute, Executive Officer for the National Association of Healthcare Security (NAHS), Associate Member of the Emergency Planning Society, and a Trustee for BILD ACT; the certification body for the Restraint Reduction Network Training Standards.
Richard Jenkins
Managing Director, Cleaning and FM
Richard specialises in the development and delivery of cost effective cleaning and soft services solutions for our clients, in particular within the Transport sector.
He has a strong and proven track record in this sector having work with a broad range of UK transport businesses on a variety of projects.
His project work is underpinned by his extensive experience and knowledge of the daily operational challengers of service operations management, having operated a significant number of contracts during his career. Following his exceptional performance as Head of Operations, Richard was appointed as Managing Director to further develop the business’s service offering.
He has a strong and proven track record in this sector having work with a broad range of UK transport businesses on a variety of projects.
His project work is underpinned by his extensive experience and knowledge of the daily operational challengers of service operations management, having operated a significant number of contracts during his career. Following his exceptional performance as Head of Operations, Richard was appointed as Managing Director to further develop the business’s service offering.
Simon Pratt
Managing Director, Security and Events South
As MD in the south, Simon will be working closely with the team and Carlisle’s highly valued clients to drive service improvements in Security and Events across all areas of operation.
Simon spent the first part of his career in the international luxury hotel market, culminating in the opening of The Grand Hyatt Dubai. In 2012 he joined Portico Corporate Reception Management as Managing Director for the Corporate and Residential Services market across London and the wider UK.
in 2018, he joined Ballymore as Managing Director of Asset Management providing strategic leadership to define and deliver best in class urban resort services across their portfolio.
Simon spent the first part of his career in the international luxury hotel market, culminating in the opening of The Grand Hyatt Dubai. In 2012 he joined Portico Corporate Reception Management as Managing Director for the Corporate and Residential Services market across London and the wider UK.
in 2018, he joined Ballymore as Managing Director of Asset Management providing strategic leadership to define and deliver best in class urban resort services across their portfolio.
Allan Gregory
Director of Transport Security and Policing
Allan has thirty-two years of experience with the British Transport Police (BTP) and retired in June 2024 at the rank of Assistant Chief Constable (ACC).
Bio to go here…
Part of BTP’s Chief Officer Group for the past three years, he was responsible for the ‘Network Policing’ portfolio which oversees uniformed operational resources across England, Wales and Scotland. He is a trusted figure throughout the UK railway network and has extensive operational experience.
In his new role at Carlisle, Allan will work closely with the company’s Director of Rail Strategy and Senior Security and Policing Advisor to deliver a National Transport Security and Policing Solution. As a result, he will serve as the primary liaison with key stakeholders such as the Department for Transport, Home Office, Security Industry Authority, and more. Allan has given direct input into shaping this proposal for the creation of the service, drawing upon his years of experience, and his engagement with key stakeholders at a strategic level.
Nick Adworth
Director of Counter-Terrorism, Intelligence and Risk
In 2021, Carlisle Support Services invested to appoint a strategic lead to ensure compliance and moral alignment with the forthcoming Protect Duty.
As former UK Counter Terrorism National Coordinator, Nick will not only be leading an internal strategy within Carlisle but develop the knowledge and skills held within the front-line operations and aiding our customers ensuring that they are best informed as to how they can proportionately prepare for the Protect legislation and Terror related activity.
Previously, Nick was London’s CT protective security and preparedness lead during the 2017 terrorist attacks, responsible for coordinating the police and other emergency service responses to those incidents, as well as supporting the private sector to make themselves stronger. He oversaw the coordination of security for 600 events a year in London and was head of practice for the CT Security Advisor network in London.
On retirement, Nick joined forces with Figen Murray and Brendan Cox to campaign for the UK Protect Duty, and he was the author of the proposal on which the government has recently consulted.
As former UK Counter Terrorism National Coordinator, Nick will not only be leading an internal strategy within Carlisle but develop the knowledge and skills held within the front-line operations and aiding our customers ensuring that they are best informed as to how they can proportionately prepare for the Protect legislation and Terror related activity.
Previously, Nick was London’s CT protective security and preparedness lead during the 2017 terrorist attacks, responsible for coordinating the police and other emergency service responses to those incidents, as well as supporting the private sector to make themselves stronger. He oversaw the coordination of security for 600 events a year in London and was head of practice for the CT Security Advisor network in London.
On retirement, Nick joined forces with Figen Murray and Brendan Cox to campaign for the UK Protect Duty, and he was the author of the proposal on which the government has recently consulted.
Stephen Grainger
Senior Strategic Security Advisor
As a retained non-executive expert, Steve will work both internally and externally across our entire business, but with a clear focus on our live sports and public-facing venues.
Bio to go here…
Stephen Grainger joined the Carlisle family as Senior Security Advisor in October 2023. This strategic addition underscores our commitment to continuous improvement of service delivery and public protection. Many of you will, undoubtedly, already know of Steve’s pedigree both in a Policing and Security capacity and we are really privileged to have someone of his standing within our ranks.
His extensive background encompasses diverse leadership roles, including serving as the Operational Commander at the Metropolitan Police Training College, and the Royalty Protection Command, acting as the Interim Director of Community Safety for Newham Council and functioning as the Chief Operating Officer for a specialised Asset Management Consultancy.
For the past 16 years, he operated at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and since 2013 held the position of Head of Security.
Steve Cere
Director of Rail Strategy
Steve has incredible levels of knowledge and experience in the rail sector, allowing us to ensure our operations are safe, in line with the sector requirements, and remain competitive and innovative.
Bio to go here…
Steve joined Carlisle in 2010 as an Area Manager within our Cleaning Division, taking responsibility for delivering multiple services for a key client within Rail. Before this, Steve had spent 11 years developing his skills and experience in operational management working with Virgin Trains in the privatised rail industry.
In December of 2022, Steve was appointed as our Director of Rail Strategy to oversee the continuous development of solutions Carlisle currently provides the industry. This is to ensure we continue to empower the sector to grow efficiently at the desired speed.
Steve has incredible levels of knowledge and experience in the rail sector, allowing us to ensure our operations are safe, in line with the sector requirements, and remain competitive and innovative. Steve has had direct involvement with the TPE contract as well as our other 13 TOC contracts, and this network of colleagues will be pivotal in preparing Carlisle for the future of UK Rail.