Executive protection is a highly specialised field within the protective security industry. Elite executive protection professionals should have specialised training in executive protection ‘skills and drills’, advanced driving, first aid, and marksmanship principles.

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So, are the terms synonymous? There may be a difference in roles, and there is undoubtedly a difference in the image. However, whether we refer to Executive Protection, Close Protection, or Bodyguard, the main objective is to save persons from danger, physical harm, and reputational damage.

It is ‘horses for courses’. Many operatives cannot blend in or have an incorrect mindset to cope with the additional skill-sets required to be a competent Executive Protection Agent. Their personal image may not fit into the corporate environment; visible tattoos, too muscular, or aggressive looking. Many EP operatives will be seasoned operatives that have ‘cut their teeth’ in various protective roles such as celebrity protection, touring, private families, and corporate protection, using all their years of combined experience and knowledge towards being a successful, well-rounded executive protection specialist.

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Westminster Security are experts in providing Executive Protection to C-suite executives, industry figureheads, dignitaries, royalty, and heads of state. We provide Executive Protection in London, throughout the UK, and worldwide for our globally active clients. Our Executive Protection Specialists are considered amongst the best in the business with at least 20 years of experience under their belts.

So, the overall role of an Executive Protection Agent has grown to encompass much more than just the protective requirement. Today’s EPA is more akin to being a facilitator or personal concierge. This double or triple hatting can take a considerable strain on the operative but delivers added service value. Of course, the EPA fulfilling these service roles has the advantage of knowing what the next move should be and what to expect throughout any given day but it can distract from the primary role of security.

Timed road sections are not permitted in the competition; in such cases the event is either a Rally or Touring Road Event.

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Job titles also vary. An Executive Protection Agent (EPA), Executive Protection Specialist (EP), Executive Protection Operative (EPO), Close Protection Operative (CPO), Personal Protection Operative (PPO), or Bodyguard (BG) will all fulfill a similar role.

Then there is the celebrity bodyguard who wants to be the celebrity or acts as if they are a celebrity purely because they have appeared in an array of media alongside the actual celebrity; it is easy to get swept up in their lifestyle and imagine you are as rich and famous as the person you are being paid to protect, but it is naive and unprofessional to think and act in such a manner.

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According to Wikipedia: “the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (aka HR-218) does not serve as a license for off-duty law enforcement officers to provide executive protective services. Hiring unlicensed, uninsured protection services, including those offered by off-duty law enforcement officers, creates direct liability for the client”.

According to Wikipedia, much like a close protection team, a traditional executive protection team may have operatives performing in a variety of roles to protect the principal, including:

A Speed Licence allows you to compete at pace in events such as Regularity, single and multi-car Speed Events, Drifting and Touring Road Events. It is designed for competitors – from the age of 14 – who want to explore the full potential of their vehicle and driving ability at speed and against the clock, as opposed to fellow competitors on-track.

Sample Supplementary Regulations based on Definitions and relevant sections of the National Rally Code are available which should act as a guide for Clubs wishing to conduct a Touring Assembly event while comprehensive regulations for Touring Assemblies are developed.

Social events are a key part of why clubs exist and include; club meetings, working bees, and social gatherings - through to club runs, show and shines, and many other key social activities of clubs.

Observed Section Trials were introduced to Australia from England in 1950 by the late John Pryce and have since been conducted regularly by the Austin 7 Club Inc. Trials cars are built to a specific formula.

Executive Protection is a term used more commonly in the USA to describe close protection services, personal protection services, or bodyguard services. The term “Executive Protection” is not as widely used in the UK or Europe. However, it is becoming ever more popular, as is the use of “Close Protection” in the USA and beyond.

Note: Organisers are encouraged to contact the relevant Motorsport Australia state office to obtain published guidelines for road event organisers.

The Australian Sport & Club Development Commission has produced the following guidelines for clubs intending to run touring assemblies:

This licence also includes what's referred to as 'Non-Speed' events such as Observed Section Trials, Touring Assemblies, non-timed Road Events, Motorkhana and Khanacross. These events typically are hosted on smaller facilities, and are based on manoeuvrability and skill rather than outright pace. Participants can begin from the age of 12 onward, and will be issued with a conditional Speed Junior licence until they reach the age of 14.

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High-net-worth individuals (HNWI), CEOs, and business executives in a corporate setting who require personal protection often employ EPA’s. Unlike movie stars and other celebrities, such people do not want to draw attention to the fact that they are of any wealth or importance. So, the EPA should look and dress like a member of the board, the Principal’s office staff, or entourage. A seasoned EP operative may not introduce themselves as security unless absolutely necessary but present themselves as an associate from the client’s office, for example.

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Huge bodyguards are still required and still have a place within the protection industry. Still, their sheer size and body language can have a negative effect and impression, stigmatising those fulfilling more professional bodyguard EP/CP roles.

Executive Protection (EP), also known as Close Protection (CP), refers to security and risk mitigation measures taken to ensure the safety of VIPs or other individuals who may be exposed to elevated personal risk because of their employment, high-profile status, net worth, affiliations or geographical location.

Of course, some clients crave the unnecessary attention that their “buddyguard” draws. There are two main different types of Principals in the security services industry: those that need close protection and those that want close protection. Those who need protection may not want it, and those who want it often do not need it!

The competent EPA will have exceptional organisational skills. In addition to managing the security and protection of their Principal they could also be responsible for:

The Executive Protection Agent will also have exceptional soft skills and communication. A top EPA should have the ability to converse on all levels with HNWIs, dignitaries, royalty, heads of state, and other prominent figures. So, they continue to blend in and remain undiscovered.

Observed Section Trials involve the cars traversing marked sections (the number depending only on the time available) of muddy or slippery surfaces, steep, or otherwise difficult terrain. The purpose of each Competitor is to traverse the whole of each section non-stop from a standing start, without departing from the marked course or hitting any of the markers en route. Sections, which may vary in length from 25m to 100m or more, are each divided into 10 parts, each marked by opposite pairs of pegs or markers.

So, what about public perception? Most people have the image of a bodyguard as a big burly overpowering, and intimidating individual accompanying a celebrity; a pop star, or a movie star. Using their bulk and brawn to push and clear a path for their client or Principal through crowds of adoring fans and autograph hunters. Often casually dressed like their Principal, these celebrity bodyguards are likely to be over-friendly with their protectee and act in a more prominent, overt role. They are not genuine Executive Protection Agents who are more qualified, more professional, more experienced, and more rounded security professionals.

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In the UK, private executive protection services are regulated at a national level by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). It is a criminal offence for operatives not to have a valid front-line close protection licence. UK-based operatives are not permitted to carry firearms. The situation in the United States is very different because executive protection services are regulated at the state level. Regulations vary but most states require a licence, insurance and training. Firearms regulations differ across the country but a private executive protection agent bearing arms will generally need a separate concealed carry permit.

Social events are generally categories in one of the following areas: static vehicle displays, social runs conducted under State road rules on public roads (such as lunch runs, breakfast runs or observation runs), or Car Club monthly meetings (non-vehicle).

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These “buddyguards” should have undergone the same basic or core training as an Executive Protection Agent or Close Protection Operative. EP & CP operatives typically continually train and look for career development opportunities. In contrast, the celebrity bodyguard will just hit the gym and rely on their social media, size, and strength to get work, and to escape any sticky situations!

The United States Secret Service originated the term “executive protection” with the creation of the “Executive Protection Service” to guard visiting foreign dignitaries. Please watch the video below or read on to learn more about the similarity and differences between executive protection, close protection, and bodyguards.

The above special tests are non-speed skill tests, for which at least the driver of the vehicle must hold a Motorsport Australia Non-Speed licence.

However, the term Executive Protection Agent is increasingly used to refer to a more niche role that is the opposite of the overt bodyguard. These EPA’s are grey men or women who seamlessly blend into the corporate environment. Wearing smart business attire, EPA’s often carry out their duties without anyone knowing that they are employed to protect an individual or property.

So, what is a bodyguard in security industry terms? In the UK the term bodyguard (BG) refers to a specific role within a team of Close Protection Operatives. The BG is the operative closest to the Principal (VIP) within a formation, offering the immediate protection of body cover or extraction from a possible hostile situation. This position can also be known as the Personal Protection Operative (PPO). “Bodyguard” is a generalised term used by laymen to describe close protection services, those in the industry would call a lone bodyguard a solo operator or Individual Bodyguard (IBG).

The skills required to be a successful Executive Protection Operative cannot be taught on a course, it takes years, even decades of many experiences and global travel with many different types of Principals to even come close to mastering the trade.

Route instructions should not be issued requiring different crews to proceed over the same route simultaneously in opposing directions unless specifically noted.

Motorsport Australia Public Liability generally covers these events as part of your affiliation fees. For a complete listing, please refer to the Gallagher Insurance Handbook.