ben pronk, dsc
MANAGING PARTNER
Ben is a specialist in risk, resilience and process improvement. His first career spanned 24 years in the Australian Army, with the majority of that time spent in the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment. In this capacity, Ben served on multiple operational deployments and was decorated for leadership in action. He concluded his service as Commanding Officer of the SAS. Ben is a highly regarded thought leader and sought-after public speaker, particularly on the reduction of risk and on leadership in high-pressure situations. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Australian Graduate School of Management and a Patron of the Military Art Program Australia. Alongside Tim, Ben also co-hosts the Unforgiving60 podcast.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master in Defence Studies (with Distinction) from Kings College, London and a Master of Business Administration (with Distinction) from the University of Western Australia. He is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course.
TIM CURTIS
senior partner
Tim is a strategist, negotiator and adaptive business leader with more than 20 years of management experience. He is a highly-regarded thought leader, particularly on the reduction of operational risk and the management of critical incidents. Tim’s first career was in the Australian Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, where his experience included designing and implementing the counter-terrorist response arrangements for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Tim was the United Nations lead elections planner for the 2005 Afghanistan Parliamentary Elections. Between 2006-14 he was based in Dubai as a Managing Director of global companies providing integrated medical, security, logistics, aviation and consulting services. Tim continues to personally advise clients through some of the highest profile corporate crises globally. Alongside Ben, Tim also co-hosts the Unforgiving60 podcast.
Tim holds a Master of Business Administration and numerous undergraduate qualifications. He is the independent Risk Advisor to a multi-donor peace fund and an Advisory Board Member for Starlight Children’s Foundation in Western Australia.
andy ennis
PRACTICE MANAGER - EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Andy has a deep background in fire and emergency services, which is complemented with a strong passion for improving frontline response and global experience in training delivery. Andy’s first career was a firefighter within Victoria, Australia, where he gained experience in both rural and metropolitan firefighting skills. Since 2011, he has worked within the resources sector, initially as an underground mining operator and Emergency Response Team (ERT) member. His capability and passion in this area led him to more senior positions within the Emergency Response (ER) field and he was employed in a variety of roles including Emergency Services Officer (ESO), Emergency Response Coordinator and Medic. Since 2016, Andy has dedicated his efforts towards training ER capabilities, with clients across the world. Based on his deep understanding of best practice in this area, Andy is able to rapidly benchmark existing client capability and provide practical and appropriate training and recommendations tailored to the unique requirements of the site, geographical location and regulatory environment. Andy has delivered training and capability assignments globally, with recent engagements including Alaska, Papua New Guinea and Mongolia, as well as a wide variety of surface and underground engagements throughout Australia.
Andy possesses a Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety, a Certificate IV in Health Care (Pre-Ambulance Care) and Certificate III in Mine Emergency Response Rescue (including all electives).
RYAN BURKE
CHIEF OF STAFF
Ryan Burke is a dynamic, experienced and innovative consultant with over 20 years of experience in leadership, team-building, optimising organisational performance, and risk management.
Ryan successfully led the US’s most elite cross functional teams in some of the most volatile and austere locations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the African Sahel and both Western and Eastern Europe. Ryan’s role was to reduce threats and risk, manage crises, and build capacity across all stakeholders, while concurrently delivering on US and strategic partner objectives. These experiences have provided Ryan with a thorough understanding of geopolitics, cultural and risk drivers, as well as the ability to negotiate complex sets of stakeholders to achieve strategic outcomes. Ryan earned two Bronze Stars for valour, seven Meritorious Service Medals, and three Army Commendation Medals during eight deployments and five years away fighting the Global War on Terror.
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Science and Technology and a Master of Arts (Leadership and Management). Ryan holds a US Top Secret security clearance (with compartments) and a Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph.
gareth hicks
STRATEGIC ADVISORY
Gareth is a highly respected leader and strategist. After retiring from the British Special Forces at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Gareth brings a considerable breadth of experience to the Mettle team. Adept and comfortable working at the strategic level, Gareth spent over 15 years operating within the National Security architecture of the British Govt, working all over Africa, Asia and the Middle East in particular, culminating as the principal advisor and special assistant to the Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army (2001-2015). His experience is matched by a track record of strong staff and leadership skills and a tactful, motivated and warm personality. More recently Gareth has completed 5 years as a senior advisor within the UAE’s national security area, a particularly challenging time for the UAE with a dynamic regional security picture.
Gareth has been awarded: a ‘Joint Commendation’ for his contribution/role de-escalating a sectarian civil-war in Macedonia in 2001; was awarded a US Meritorious Service Medal (OBE equivalent) by the US Govt; was awarded an MBE for services to Afghanistan; and was awarded a DSO for ‘services in the field’. Gareth holds an MA in International Relations from Kings College London, a CMI Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. By April 2021 he will hold a Masters in Strategy from Exeter University. During his military service Gareth also graduated from the Advanced Command and Staff College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.