Summary
Introducing Toby Ingram and Neil Anderson, both Senior Consultants who specialise in business continuity and security risk management.
Toby Ingram, Senior Consultant
Tell us about your role with Inverroy?
- As a Senior Consultant, I provide business continuity and crisis management support to clients in the energy, higher education, tech and public sectors. I analyse businesses in detail and produce their business continuity plans, running exercises and training. I ensure they are “ready for audit tomorrow” and then indulge in the most interesting part of the job, which is horizon-scanning, and preparing client businesses for the event-after-next.
What made you pursue a career in this industry?
- Two things! Firstly, that a full military career had given me many of the skills and much of the experience necessary for consultancy-analysis, planning, as well as an enjoyment of speaking in public and people skills, so in many ways it was a natural transition. Secondly, the opportunity presented itself – I finished as a soldier on the Friday and started as a consultant on the Monday (growing the de rigueur ‘civilian beard’ over the subsequent few weeks). The magnitude of the opportunity has only become apparent after some time (seven years in my case) and I could not have asked for a better company to work for than Inverroy – we are an eclectic group of like-minded individuals who share a real commitment to the organisation, and I thoroughly enjoy working for this team.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
- During COVID I was the Crisis and Continuity Manager for a large energy field, which contributes to a significant percentage of its host nation’s GDP. Energy production rose steadily during the pandemic, which is testament to the skills, knowledge and professionalism of all involved. While I cannot claim complete credit, I think I played an important role.
Do you use your business continuity/resilience skills in everyday life? How so?
- I do! Forward planning for family matters such as wills, property income etc, and more prosaically, power cuts and severe weather events are all things I consider and prepare for. Furthermore, as the owner of a small crafting business called Woodsilver, my antenna is sensitively attuned for potential opportunities (as a result of my consultancy work), which may be why I have recently found myself carving oak memorial plaques for a chapel.
What do you think clients are most worried about? Why do they come to Inverroy?
- This is sector-dependent, but some common worries are reputational damage, regulatory breaches and existential threats. Some clients now also have concerns about potential problems over which they have little influence or control. An example is higher education institutions suffering from ‘cancel culture’ and seeing on-campus protests because someone has expressed a controversial opinion. The challenge is that there is no correct answer, and navigating through it when it happens takes considerable foresight, planning, tolerance and skill.
Neil Anderson, Senior Consultant
Tell us about your role with Inverroy?
- I am a Senior Consultant within Inverroy, working across the security risk management, emergency response and crisis management business areas. My role involves supporting clients in identifying and managing risks, developing robust security strategies and building their ability to respond effectively to emergencies to avert a crisis. I draw heavily on my policing background, where I led teams in high-pressure, high-risk environments. At Inverroy, I work closely with clients to provide practical, tailored solutions that improve their resilience and ensure they are well prepared for whatever challenges they may face.
What made you pursue a career in this industry?
- After serving a whole career in the police, it was a natural transition into business. Having been deployed to the London Riots, Olympics, G8 and multiple other significant events, along with spending all my career in the emergency response and crisis management field, it was only natural that my career would take me down this route.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
- Making Superintendent during my police career is something I’m incredibly proud of. It reflects years of hard work, dedication, professional and family sacrifice and a deep commitment to public service. Now, I bring that same mindset, planning for the unexpected, protecting people and systems, into my work with clients today.
Do you use your business continuity/resilience skills in everyday life? How so?
- Yes, I use them all the time, especially when managing projects for work and personal reasons. I instinctively assess risks, plan for contingencies and help others stay calm when plans go off course. I believe that the ability to anticipate issues and adapt quickly isn’t just valuable at work, it’s critical in everyday life, too.
What do you think clients are most worried about? Why do they come to Inverroy?
- Clients come to Inverroy because they want a partner they can trust, where there is no hard sell and relationships can be built over time. They are worried about whether they could really cope with a major disruption, and they value our ability to work closely with them, understand their unique challenges and deliver practical, achievable solutions that make a real difference.
