Pilgrims appoints Martin Fuller as its first Country Director for Algeria
Martin Fuller (right) has been appointed to the role and brings with him a wealth of experience in risk mitigation, crisis management, business development and business continuity.
Algeria has large oil and gas reserves and a major part of its GDP comes from this sector. Fuller’s previous roles include G4S Development Director, Oil & Gas Africa; Security Team Leader for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), principle consultant for a Middle East security management company and twelve years with BP International as a security, crisis and business continuity management specialist.
Fuller saidf: “My focus is to grow Pilgrims footprint throughout the country and manage our operations to ensure the highest quality of service delivery. While it is easy to travel to Algeria from Europe, our clients deserve and expect close management of their contracts and this is most effectively met through having a permanent local presence. It also helps us meet and maintain the necessary contacts and service our clients’ needs with maximum efficiency. Added to which, by living here, I get a personal and hands-on understanding of the day to day challenges that businesses face in the country. This will perfectly position us to add value to our clients’ operations by delivering what they need, when then they need it and by being able to anticipate those needs.”
Pilgrims already has established a partnership with The Mesli Group, which has a well established manned guarding company (CGPS) with over 4,000 guards deployed throughout Algeria.
A number of key services are already provided by Pilgrims in Algeria, as Fuller explained: “Currently our main service offerings here cover key areas of risk management; from embedded risk managers and logistic coordinators, provision of risk assessments and the development of appropriate mitigation plans, including technical security solutions, through to comprehensive journey management support using our in-house cars, drivers and tracking systems, close protection teams, medical support (including our own fleet of ambulances and medics) and motor cycle response teams. A key service also provided for our international clients is our award winning pre-deployment hostile environment awareness training (HEAT), delivered either through our Centre of Excellence near Gatwick Airport, in the UK, or at our Training Academy in Algiers.”
Pilgrims Managing Director, Bill Freear, said: “I am delighted that Martin has joined the growing Pilgrims ranks. His in-depth understanding of the risk management spectrum and, in particular, the oil and gas industry makes him an ideal lead for our future plans in Algeria. The manner in which he has quickly aligned himself to the Pilgrims ethos and become an invaluable member of the team is a credit to his commitment and capability.”
