Wheels Up - Safety and Security for Business, Executive and VIP Travellers Podcast

In this inspiring episode of the Wheels Up podcast, hosts Troy Claydon and Ben Hosking of Panoptic Solutions engage with celebrated entrepreneur Mark Wright, winner The Apprentice UK in 2014, who went on to be UK Entrepreneur of the year 2018 and listed in Forbes 30 under 30. The conversation explores Mark’s path from small-town Australia to building a digital marketing empire in the UK, highlight...

Guest: Michael Byrom – CEO, The Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation Consultant at McBride Legal | Director at Southern Cross Soloists Ltd In this episode, we speak with Michael Byrom, a legal expert and philanthropist dedicated to making a difference through The Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation. With a career spanning over 40 years in commercial law, corporate governance, and contract negotiati...

Guest: Steve Bernard, CFE - LinkedIn Advisor / Board Appointments: International SOS, Metro One, Prescient Formerly the Executive Vice President for Protection at Sony Pictures Entertainment. In this episode, Stevan Bernard, a globally recognized security expert with nearly five decades of experience, shares his incredible journey from leading global security operations at Sony Pictures Entertainm...

In this episode, we sit down with Shane Cavagnino, a former military man to now a farmer in Tassie. Topics and Key Mentions Shane’s transition from an intense military career to life on a farm in Tasmania. Mental health challenges, particularly for veterans, and how Shane is managing his own mental health journey. Early life struggles, including bullying and career pivots, that shaped Shane’s resi...

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Dye, a seasoned expert in Dignitary and Executive Protection. Kevin's career began as an enlisted Air Force defender, where he honed skills in both defensive and law enforcement missions. His transition to the U.S. Secret Service was natural, as both entities share a dual mission of law enforcement and protection. Kevin served with distinction in the Secret...

Welcome back to the Wheels Up Podcast. Today Troy and Ben are joined Rhys Dowden and Clancy Roberts as they talk through there martial arts journeys. Guest 1: Rhys Dowden (Operator Edge) Background: Joined the Australian Army in 1999, initially in the Cavalry. Attempted SAS Selection in 2002. Later, after contracting in Iraq as a private security contractor, rejoined the military, successfully pas...

Welcome back to the Wheels Up Podcast. Today Troy and Ben are joined with Patrick Kane who is the director of security with a US corporation with operations worldwide. Patrick is heavily focused on developing and implementing mitigation measures to support highly mobile global workforce and multiple traveler's, to include pre-travel risk assessments, coordinating secure transportation and journey...

Welcome back to the Wheels Up Podcast. Today Troy and Ben are joined with Justin Hanson, CD.   Through 27 years working with law enforcement, and the military with multiple deployments internationally and domestically, he’s honed both hard and soft skills. He’s trained thousands of soldiers, military police and other law enforcement personnel.   What hasn't Justin done in Executive Protection from...

“Cleared Hot” - Special Ops Combat Controller, Author, Hot Sauce & Tequila aficionado Havoc 06 Troy Knight.   "Cleared Hot" - The term used by Special Operations Combat Controller Teams to authorise an aircraft to engage an enemy target! Wheels Up Hosts, Troy Claydon and Ben Hosking sit down with a founding member of Australia's Special Operations Combat Controller capability and former Austra...

Welcome back to the Wheels Up Podcast. Today Troy and Ben are joined with Simon Chen who is the CEO and founder of Eight Black, a company based in Longmont, Colorado that provides high-performance consulting services to CEOs, as well as executive transportation and security solutions.[1][2][4] He founded Eight Black in 2013 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer, leading the company's operation...

Welcome back to the Wheels Up Podcast. Today Troy and Ben are joined with Dustin Osborne who is a Sergeant with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) in Australia. He is also closely associated with ATMA, which stands for the Australian Tactical Medical Association and sits on several working boards involved with the betterment of Law Enforcement and Medical First Response.     He joined the Queensl...

Welcome back to the Wheels Up Podcast. Today Troy and Ben are joined with Anthony Goulart.   With over 10 years of experience in U.S. Special Operations which focused on personnel recovery, emergency medical care, and tactical prowess in austere environments. Anthony is passionate about elevating the protective sectors with a holistic, unmatched solution that blends combat operation discipline wit...

Welcome back to the Wheels Up Podcast, we have taken a bit of a break but we are back and better than ever! On today's episode Troy chats to Panoptic employee and new co-host of the Wheels Up Podcast, Ben Hosking. Ben has incredible stories and history of past work and is a wealth of knowledge. They also delve into what the podcast is going to look like this year and the plethora of guests that wi...

Panoptic Solutions has partnered with PFC for several years. This allows PFC's clients to travel to APAC and access world-class services via Panoptic Solutions, and vice-versa for Panoptic Solutions clients who travel to the US and beyond. 
   The partnership is based on trust and credibility, understanding that either company would only refer a distant service to their clients of the same standar...

Returning from Iraq after her time as a private military contractor and ending her career in the military, Neryl Joyce looked for a new career that would professionally challenge and motivate her like her previous roles. She made an unusual move and became an Operations Manager at the Christmas Island Detention Centre where she faced an intense couple of years. In this episode, find out how Neryl...

Working within the male dominated field of defence and surrounded by boy’s club culture, Neryl Attkins faced many challenges. Her journey as a woman in the armed forces made it harder for her to be heard and stand her ground in particular situations. In this episode, you will hear Neryl’s incredible journey, discharging from the Australian Army to become a private military contractor and how she d...

Troy Claydon and Steve Albritton delve deep into setting up your own security industry business. If you’re even thinking about starting your own security business, this episode is a must. Not only do they discuss how to open a security business in Australia and the United States of America, but they also get real honest when talking about their own mistakes and give you set of essential tips neede...

Former stunt actor, Russell Price, has worked alongside some of the greatest martial arts actors in the world, like Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Aside from his work as a stunt actor, he has an impressive resume with 10 years in the British Royal Marines, 40 years in the martial arts space and 23 years working within the security industry internationally. Not to mention, he has a 6-dan Black Belt in Sho...

We’re excited to introduce co-host, Steven Albritton, to our listeners. Steve is the principal owner of OPStructure, based out of Florida. He has vast experience in the security world, not only in the USA but internationally. Executive protection is a very different ball game in the USA, so it will be great to get Steve’s view on particular topics and past experiences working within and outside of...

Ronin is one of (if not the most) renowned civilian training academies for protection training globally. Located in Cape Town South Africa, the academy has an unmatched environment that covers all aspects of protection training from firearm competency training to experiencing frontline ambulance shifts, all in the heart of South Africa and its unpredictable climate. In this episode, you’ll hear fr...

Sorry to have left you hanging - we’ve been on a quick breather due to the workload with clients across multiple countries. We’re back, and we’ve made some exciting new changes to the format of our podcast. In this podcast, you’ll find out about our changes, hear our outstanding lineup of guest speakers for the next several weeks and get a quick update on Panoptic Solutions. Episode Highlights: Wh...

When we think of stalkers and death threats we tend to think of it as being a problem for high profile personalities or celebrities. Most situations involving ‘normal’ people rarely make the news unless the circumstances are drastic but it is a problem much more common that most of us realise. In this podcast, we look at the nature of stalking and stalkers and how to respond to stalking situations...

Are you aware that up to 2,000 people around the world are currently being held against their will in one form or another? Or that somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 people a year are kidnapped for ransom or held hostage? The fact is, risk is ever present whoever and wherever you are, and being prepared to deal with a situation like detainment, kidnapping or surviving captivity can never be a bad...

Can mindset really help travellers and security operatives respond safely to uncertain circumstances? This podcast interview with former Australian Special Forces soldier and hostile environment security expert, Rhys Dowden about the benefits of a preparation mindset. He explains his holistic approach to confidence in any situation and his tips for getting the edge on life. Episode Highlights: Abo...

Last week we published a podcast episode outlining the ins and outs of hiring a bodyguard or executive protection agent. In the second and final part of the series we look into the medical aspects of an engagement, the importance of local knowledge, some of the contractual details and what should happen before an engagement commences. Episode Highlights: Should We Look For a Medical Capability  in...