The Board Directors & Top Level Team
Peter Harrison
Founder & Managing Director
Peter founded FGH Security, the first brand within FGH Group, in 2003 while studying at Lancaster University. Peter had seen first-hand how poorly people working in security could be treated and wanted to build something better.
What began as a small venture during Peter’s time at university has grown into a recognised security provider and later became part of the wider FGH Group. Today, the Group operates on a national scale, with experience supporting international projects.
Peter spends a lot of time within the wider industry and is a regular guest speaker at events, as well as being featured in the media. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a BSc (Hons) in Management Science and is a qualified Crowd Manager and Counter Terrorism Risk Manager.
Peter has served as a trustee for CancerCare since 2016 and has proudly served as a Royal Marines Commando Reservist since 2008. Outside work, his time is split between family life and outdoor fitness. He regularly competes in running races and triathlons, and his mountaineering adventures have taken him to some of the highest mountains across Europe and Africa, including Mont Blanc, Toubkal and Hvannadalshnjúkur.
Jessica Spencer
Shared Services Director
Before joining FGH, Jess worked as a freelance Change Management consultant, partnering with SMEs to help them achieve meaningful business transformation.
Jess first met Peter at Manchester Pride in 2012, and after working with FGH Security on several events over the following years, she became a familiar and trusted presence in the control room, supporting major events and festivals. In 2020, she joined FGH Security full-time as Project Manager, bringing her expertise in change management, standardisation, and project delivery.
Her impact led to her promotion to Shared Services Director in 2021, where she has been instrumental in improving processes, enhancing efficiency, and driving consistency across the Group.
Jess remains passionate about creating lasting change and helping the organisation work smarter and more effectively.
John Bolton
Head of Finance
John joined FGH in summer 2018 through the Student Sponsorship scheme while studying BSc Accounting and Finance at Lancaster University. After graduating with first-class honours, he joined the Head Office team in July 2020, supporting the organisation through COVID.
He oversaw the transition to an in-house finance team and supported FGH’s growth, completing his CIMA and being promoted to Head of Finance in 2024. He now leads finance, reporting, and forecasting as the Group plans for further expansion.
In 2025, John was named Rising Star of the Year (Qualified) at the North West Finance Awards, and this year he completed an Executive MBA at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.
Michelle Lemm
Head of People
Shell joined our team as an HR Business Partner before progressing to Head of People. She brings experience from both private and public sectors and holds an MA in Strategic HR Management, along with CIPD Level 7, Level 5, and Level 3 in HR Practice. She recently qualified in ACAS Workplace Mediation and is currently undertaking a Level 7 CMI Senior Manager Apprenticeship.
To strengthen her operational security understanding, Shell completed SIA Door Supervision training and obtained her licence to gain front line experience.
The Board Non-Executive Directors
Janet Whitworth
People Non-Exec Director
Janet is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and also has a postgraduate certificate in the Psychology of Organisational Development and Change.
After 27 years working for DSS and DWP in various roles, Janet went on to be an Executive Director of HR and Organisational Development in the NHS. She did this role for 4 years before working at the University of Cumbria for 3 years as the Executive Director of HR and Change and 3 years as Chief Operating Officer.
Janet is a former member of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. Janet is now a non-executive HR Director for FGH Security, which she does alongside being the managing director of her own company – Whitworth Consulting Ltd.
When she isn’t working, Janet is usually helping her farmer husband with the cows or riding her horse, James.
Richard Chappell
Commercial Non-Exec Director
A graduate in Retail Marketing from Manchester, Richard began his career in retail, spending 10 years working for Aldi and Lidl, and opened the first 65 Lidl stores in the UK. He went on to serve as CEO of Carlisle Support Services and later TCFM.
He subsequently bought and led Bayleaf Facilities Management until its sale in 2020 and has since focused on a plural career as a Non-Executive Director and advisor to several businesses.
Richard enjoys supporting talented teams, driving business growth, and helping businesses expand with step change relationships and grow into new sectors.
Mark Burtonwood
Industry Non-Exec Director
Mark joined FGH Security following successful careers with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Over a 32 year career at GMP, he progressed to Operational Superintendent, overseeing Manchester City Centre and specialising in public order and firearms command. After his police service, Mark dedicated nearly 12 years to the SIA, ultimately serving as Deputy Director of Operations.
He holds an MA in Management and is recognised as a Chartered Security Professional. Additionally, Mark has been a Non-Executive Director with the National Security Inspectorate and, as a volunteer, provides strategic advice to various public safety initiatives. He remains actively engaged as an independent consultant in advancing safety and security both in the UK and globally.
Neale Lewis
Growth Non-Exec Director
Neale Lewis is a scale-up expert with a strong track record of driving business growth and performance well ahead of competitors. He helps companies scale using the best business tools, insights, and education, while developing leadership skills across executives and teams. As a sought-after consultant, he facilitates strategic planning, leadership development, and high-performing teams.
Neale is CEO of Neale Lewis Associates, an MBA graduate, a Certified Scaling Up Coach, and has been instrumental in helping FGH 10x its revenue growth since 2018.
Leadership Team
Amy Stanley
Head of Events & Festivals
Amy joined FGH as a Business Administration Apprentice in 2013 after undertaking study at Lancaster & Morecambe College. In 2014, Amy started her journey in the Operations team, progressing to Security Manager at various events and festivals by 2018.
In 2019 Amy took a lead role in the event division, eventually progressing to Head of Events & Festivals in 2022.
Amy is currently studying for her MBA at Lancaster University.
Arran Perry
Regional Manager North
Arran joined FGH Security in 2016 as part of our Student Sponsorship Programme whilst studying for his BSc (Hons) Sports Business & Management degree at Manchester Metropolitan University.
After a three-year hiatus following his graduation, Arran returned to the company in 2021 as Regional Manager for the North.
Arran is currently studying for his MBA at Lancaster University.
Tom Sharman
Regional Manager South & ROI
Prior to joining FGH Security in 2016, Tom spent 10 years in hospitality, owning and managing pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs. His first role at FGH was as a festival supervisor; he joined the management team in 2018 for regular events and became Operations Manager for the South of England in 2019.
Tom holds an LLB in Law, a BA in Criminology, and a Level 5 Crowd Management & Risk Analysis award. He is currently studying for his MBA.
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