Hay's Chris sets up anti terror venture

8:00am Monday 6th October 2008

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ANTI-TERRORISM measures aren’t normally an issue in Hay-on-Wye – but one resident has made them his business.

Author Chris Hunter has used his experience as a military intelligence officer to start consultancy Kratos Enterprises and made the town an unlikely anti-attack HQ for businesses and airports across the UK.

The father-of-two, whose account of his experiences in the army – Eight Lives Down – was published last year, and his wife Lucy pooled their savings to start the venture in 2006 and it now offers terrorism strategies and advice to some of the country’s biggest organisations.

“Businesses and insurers are starting to recognise that creating robust counter-terrorism plans and taking simple actions to minimise potential threats should be viewed as an essential investment, not a cost, which could save not only lives but millions of pounds,” he said.

Mr Hunter hit on the idea when his reputation as a bomb expert in Iraq became so renowned enemies put a price on his head.

But it was after his work during the July 2005 London bombings, for which he received a Queen’s Gallantry Medal, that he began to realise the full effect potential attacks have on the economy and people’s well-being.

The company now turns over £600,000 a year thanks to Chris’ expertise and some initial help from Barclays.

Chris Phelps, Barclays local business manager, said “This is a great example of a business entrepreneur using their specialist skills and experience to spot a business opportunity.”