Military Mastermind Joins as Advisor
Military mastermind Ed Butler, whose illustrious career has seen him lead forces in dangerous locations including Afghanistan, is joining a UK security specialist as Special Advisor.
He believes that the products VIT Security Group has developed will not only help save lives but also provide commanders with battle winning technology.
One of the youngest and most respected Brigadiers of his generation. Butler gained a clutch of gallantry awards for his work in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq and Northern Ireland.
VIT already has highly successful contracts with the military as well as with third-party security partners, blue-chip corporates, police forces and central and local government, for whom it creates and implements bespoke solutions to exacting security, surveillance and monitoring requirements. VIT Security Group's products encompass evidential quality visual verification technologies and recording solutions, including control rooms.
Commenting, VIT Security Group CEO Dave Harmon said: "We are delighted to welcome Ed Butler: his vast experience, particularly on an international level, will add considerable value to VIT Security Group".
Dave formed VIT in 2002, drawing on his own specialist background and work within the covert and overt security fields. He brought together several contacts that he had known and worked with to lay the foundations of VIT Innovation, which later became the trading subsidiary of VIT Security Group.
With a distinguished and decorated Army career spanning 24 years, Butler was mentioned in despatches in Northern Ireland and awarded the Distinguished Service Order for displaying exceptional bravery and leadership in Afghanistan. He is recognised as a brilliant tactician and strategist, both in and off the field.
He left the Army earlier than many expected, giving his family as the main reason for this - he is married with two teenage children. But he made no secret of what he described at the time of his retirement in 2008 as the "well-known resource constraints and restraints" within which his soldiers had to fight. He has since called on the Government to better equip service personnel and has criticised the lack of funding for core defence equipment.
Today he is CEO of CforC Ltd., a company that drives business recovery by "working on the ground" with corporates and investors in emerging and challenging frontier markets.
Commenting on his role with VIT Ed said: "I believe VIT Security Group products are genuine battle winners which will provide commanders with a real technological edge in complex operating environments. Most importantly, this next generation technology will go a long way in protecting the lives of our servicemen and women. I am delighted to be joining them in an advisory capacity at this exciting time in VIT's development."
Ed Butler: After 24 years in the British Army, Ed retired as one of the youngest and most respected Brigadiers of his generation. Ed achieved high acclaim as a Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan and has commanded at all levels within 22 SAS, including the period over 9/11.
Ed has led assignments from Headquarters and the field level in a wide variety of settings, including: Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Macedonia, Iraq and Afghanistan. His experience in Africa includes the Horn of Africa, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mauritania, Cameroon, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. He has undertaken sensitive defence diplomacy tasks in both the Middle East and Asia. Ed also has exceptional skills and first-hand experiences in Confrontation Analysis, political to tactical mediation, negotiation and complex project management.
He has an Honours degree in Politics and International Relations from Exeter University and MAs in Military Technology and Defence Studies. From 2003 to 2005 he directed the UK Defence Academy's Higher Command and Staff Course.
VIT Security Group: combines expertise from both the security and technology industries. The UK based group brings together experienced personnel skilled in integrating camera lenses, electronics systems and communications platforms. These capabilities offer both security and surveillance consultancy solutions for standard installations as well as an expert product innovations and manufacturing facility. With a range of customisable solutions tailored to client needs and individual environments, VIT has undertaken contracts with the military, the government and local authorities, as well as private and public sector organisations. The Group employs specialists with expertise in civil and military environments.
Media enquiries to: Sue Grief
07786 437288
sue.grief@vitsecuritygroup.com
