ABOUT US

Rupert is a retired British Army Major General with over 30 years’ senior command experience, including coalition leadership roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. He now advises defence organisations and technology companies on strategy, leadership, and growth. He also supports international firms seeking to scale within the UK defence market.

Lord Sharpe is a former Home Office Minister with responsibility for public safety, national security, cyber, data, and legislation in the House of Lords. He currently serves as Shadow Minister for Business & Trade. His earlier career spans 25 years in international financial markets and communications, with experience building and scaling businesses across Asia-Pacific, the US, and Europe.

RICHARD PARVIN

Oslo-based defence and security consultancy focused on UK–Norway/Nordic defence cooperation. Former UK Defence Attaché to Norway and Iceland, with deep expertise in maritime, Arctic and High North security policy.

CHRIS PAYNE

Chris is a former Royal Marines Lieutenant Colonel with operational, command, and strategic planning experience across defence and public service. He has since held senior leadership roles in public sector transformation and emergency services. He now operates at the intersection of defence delivery, strategy, and organisational change.

PAUL VINGOE - FOUNDER

Paul brings over 40 years of national security experience spanning frontline military service, national security, and defence industry delivery. A former Army Colonel, and Chartered Engineer he has led the deployment of complex digital, software, and AI-enabled systems into critical operational environments. His combined perspective as a user, engineer, and supplier enables pragmatic alignment of advanced technology to real-world defence needs.

CLAIRE PATERSON

Claire has 28 years experience in the UK national security community, spanning corporate leadership and operational delivery. She has led programmes in environments where trust, pace and judgement are critical. At VinDo, Claire partners closely with the co-founders to translate ideas into action. She brings focus, structure and calm momentum, helping the team stay aligned, accountable and delivering against what matters most.

JAMIE BURNHAM

Jamie has over 25 years’ experience across defence, diplomacy, and national security, including work in the Middle East and Africa. His expertise spans counterterrorism, resilience, supply chains, and digital innovation, especially that currently emerging from Ukraine, the Baltics and High North. He was formerly a Recanati-Kaplan Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School now advises public and private organisations on strategy, data-driven decision-making, and defence modernisation.

ERIN SWEENEY

Erin has 24 years experience in the British Army with deep expertise in targeting, information operations, and defence decision-making. He now supports defence-focused SMEs with strategic business development and market entry. His work bridges operational insight and commercial execution.

CLAIRE MACPHERSON

Claire is a senior commercial and contracts specialist with over 30 years’ experience across defence and complex manufacturing. She advises SMEs on contracting strategy, risk management, and commercial governance. Her approach is pragmatic, business-focused, and delivery-oriented.

VALERIE KUZMENKO

Valerie is a Chartered Marketer and senior marketing leader with over 15 years of experience building and scaling high-performing marketing functions across EMEA. She has a strong track record of successfully introducing and expanding cyber, OSINT, and defence-related solutions into the UK and European markets. Valerie specialises in driving growth through integrated demand generation, field marketing, and partner marketing strategies, consistently aligning marketing with revenue to accelerate pipeline and market penetration.

A former British Army officer with operational command and staff experience across regimental headquarters, armoured cavalry units, and overseas deployments. He has delivered secure communications and ISTAR capability on operations. He is an engineer with experience in operational planning, and the delivery of complex projects in demanding environments.

Adam brings experience from the UK Civil Service, including roles across national security and technology policy in the Cabinet Office and DSIT. He advises defence companies on navigating UK and allied government ecosystems. His work focuses on growth strategy, policy translation, and transatlantic engagement.

Amy is an experienced operations manager with over 20 years’ experience with C-suite leaders, Boards, and senior leadership teams across technology and professional services. With 10 years experience in a National Security Tech Startup she specialises in executive operations, governance support, and complex stakeholder coordination. 

PETE WARD

Pete is a former Detective Inspector and national expert in cybercrime, digital forensics, and online investigations. He led nationally recognised innovations in digital crime scene capability. He now advises technology organisations and contributes to academic and professional development in cyber and forensic practice.

MICHELLE WELLER

Michelle is an independent consultant specialising in business change, culture, and workforce engagement within UK policing. With over 20 years’ policing experience and a background in psychology, she applies behavioural science to complex organisational challenges. Her work supports sustainable, evidence-based transformation.

Daniel is Managing Director of TICQ Ltd and a former Royal Navy engineer with extensive operational, engineering, and procurement leadership experience. He specialises in helping startups and SMEs adapt innovative technologies for defence adoption. His work focuses on acquisition readiness, regulatory alignment, and accelerating capability delivery.