Nick Shah OBE

Nick Shah OBE is the founder and CEO of SJ Group International and a former senior officer at the UK's National Crime Agency, with more than 35 years of experience in law enforcement, international crisis response and security risk management. He is the author of the United Nations manual on countering kidnapping and extortion, and has led kidnap, extortion and crisis responses across Africa and South America.

At the National Crime Agency, Nick worked on serious and organised crime and managed high-risk kidnap and extortion cases. In 2014 he was posted overseas as a diplomat, serving as the National Crime Agency's International Liaison Officer for Southern Africa. He has represented the UK at international forums, and has advised governments and multinational organisations on security strategy.

He was awarded the OBE in 2019 for his contributions to law enforcement and diversity.

Nick founded SJ Group International to bring the experience of senior law enforcement, negotiation and crisis professionals to private clients, families and organisations. He leads the firm's work across risk assessment, investigations, crisis management, training and live incident response, and works closely with clients' legal advisers and insurers. In 2026 he was recommended in the Spear's 500 in the Security, Intelligence and Investigations category.

His approach is prevention first: helping clients understand their exposure and prepare properly, so that if something serious does happen, they are ready for it.