Press Statement On Friday 7 February 2025, Specialist Group International (SGI) proudly welcomed Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal @RoyalFamily to our headquarters in Dorking, Surrey. Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence This event marked not only a royal visit but also celebrated a significant milestone for SGI—the 30th anniversary since the company’s founding. The royal visit recognises the company’s reputation for outstanding service in areas including specialist rescue, underwater search, water safety, and specialist security. Our work supports the emergency services, government agencies, and the public at large, underscoring SGI’s role as a national leader in specialist response capabilities. Highlights of the Day During the visit, the Princess Royal experienced a series of engaging and informative demonstrations. • Demonstrations and Equipment Displays: The Princess Royal witnessed a rope rescue demonstration and was given an up-close look at the company’s extensive range of specialist search equipment. These tools, which are used for land, water, and air searches, reflect SGI’s commitment to innovation and excellence in search and rescue operations. • Tour of Facilities: A comprehensive tour of the SGI headquarters was arranged, including a visit to the 24/7 Control Room. This offered insights into the operational backbone of SGI’s emergency response services and highlighted the organisation’s readiness and sophistication. • Lucas Dobson Water Safety Campaign: Lucas Dobson Water Safety | An important part of the day was dedicated to raising awareness about the Lucas Dobson Water Safety Campaign. The campaign, established in memory of six-year-old Lucas Dobson who tragically drowned in 2018, aims to promote water safety and prevent further tragedies. The Princess Royal learned more about this vital campaign and met Nathan Dobson, Lucas’s father, whose personal loss has inspired other significant community impact and safety initiatives. Several teachers and students from schools who have received free lifejackets as part of the water safety campaign were also proudly in attendance and gave testimony to the Princess Royal about the positive impact that the water safety initiative has already made. • Commemorative Plaque: A special plaque commemorating the Princess Royal’s visit was unveiled during the event. This plaque will hold pride of place in the main office, serving as a lasting reminder of the honour bestowed upon SGI by her visit. Significance and Gratitude For Specialist Group International, the visit was not only an honour at the highest level but also an affirmation of decades of dedicated service. The company’s multifaceted operations—from search and rescue to innovative safety campaigns—have been recognised. The presence of the Princess Royal lent further credibility and visibility to SGI’s work, reinforcing our commitment to saving lives and supporting the emergency services for many years to come. More pictures on our SGI Facebook facebook.com/share/18WFP7uzG…

The Princess Royal has officially launched Challenger 5, the newest addition to the @TallShipsYT fleet! ⚓️ Designed as a ‘floating classroom’, Challenger 5 will give even more young people the chance to develop new skills, build confidence, and realise their potential at sea. ⛵️During a visit to Portsmouth, HRH met staff, volunteers, and young people involved with Tall Ships Youth Trust, a youth development and outdoor learning charity, and toured the new vessel before it sets sail on its first adventures.

Darren Downes has asked me to share this important message in memory of his son Ellis, who tragically drowned in 2016. With a high number of drownings reported this week, this water safety message is more important than ever. Please watch and share his video. #watersafety

A very important week for Specialist Group International - SGI, welcoming a key client visit and showcasing the rapid expansion of our specialist capabilities and continued growth across the business. Throughout the week the team demonstrated a wide range of operational capabilities including diving operations, marine support, protester removal, security operations and emergency response. The visit highlighted the professionalism, training, equipment and multi-role response capabilities SGI continues to develop to support clients and communities across the UK and beyond. Proud of the entire team and the hard work going on behind the scenes as SGI continues to grow and expand its specialist operational capabilities. 👏

A big thank you to all the brilliant doctors, nurses and healthcare staff who work to save lives and support wellbeing, as we celebrate the 300th anniversary of Guy’s Hospital. 👏 At the hospital’s Cancer Centre, The King spent time with chemotherapy patients, nurses and doctors. This year marks six decades of oncology at Guy’s, and the centre consolidates services once spread across 13 sites. At the King’s College Innovation Hub, His Majesty, who is Patron of King’s College London, heard how professors and students are using AI and robotics to treat patients, and to train the next generation of specialists who are shaping the future of cancer research.

Every year at this time I receive a heartfelt thanks from the parents of Ellis Downes thanking my team and I for locating and recovering their 16-year-old son Ellis from the River Thames in Abingdon in 2016. Sadly there was no underwater search teams available. Surface searches could not locate Ellis, so the family contacted Specialist Group International - SGI to assist. Ellis was located and recovered 40 minutes after SGI entered the water. policeprofessional.com/news/… Many people do not realise is that continuous government cuts are decimating the UK’s underwater search capability. Thames Valley, Sussex, Norfolk and North Yorkshire Police underwater search units were all scrapped around mid 2000 to save money. Across huge parts of the country, from the South East all the way up to Nottingham with the exception of Suffolk and the Metropolitan Police there are now no dedicated police underwater search units left. When specialist teams disappear, families suffer. Time is lost. Opportunities are missed. In many cases, volunteers and independent specialists are left trying to fill a gap that should never exist in the first place. Ellis’ case is one I will never forget. His family’s strength over the years has been incredible, but no family should have to face uncertainty because critical emergency search resources have been cut to the bone. This has to change. Underwater search capability is not a luxury it is an essential public service. Ten years on and many tragic deaths later nothing has changed just more cuts to the emergency services. This is just one family, there are many more. In loving memory of Ellis Downes.

Only one candidate out at the polling station tonight greeting voters as they arrived. Young Tyler Dewey from Reform standing there in person, shaking hands and speaking to people face to face. Whatever your politics, that takes commitment and courage. #reform @Nigel_Farage

Behind the camera today talking underwater search & sonar for a major TV production. From reading the riverbed to identifying the smallest anomalies this is where experience really counts. Can’t reveal the case yet… but it’s one to watch.

I recently spoke with @DubaiEye1038FM Dubai Eye about my journey, my book What Lies Beneath, the searches I’ve worked on, and how side scan sonar works. Honest conversation about the reality behind it all. Listen here: dubaieye1038.com/podcastshol…

The King addresses a Joint Session of Congress, following in his mother’s footsteps after Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to do so in 1991.   📷 PA / House Creative Services

Calm water can still be dangerous. lucasdobsonwatersafety.com My grandson wears his lifejacket because accidents happen in seconds. A properly fitted lifejacket can save a life. Please don’t take chances on the water especially with children. #WaterSafety #WearALifejacket #beach

Happy St George’s Day! Wishing you a proud and joyful day celebrating England’s patron saint courage, heritage, and tradition. May your flag 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿fly high and your spirit stand strong. #StGeorge

Last week my team at Specialist Group International - SGI had the privilege of returning to the beautiful island of Brač, Croatia 🇭🇷 to deliver rope rescue training for the Croatian Fire and Rescue Service. A great example of collaboration. ..🇭🇷🇬🇧@UKinCroatia @patel_javed

In the lead up to Nicola Bulley’s disappearance she was certainly struggling with certain aspects in her private life , and on that fateful day was she wanting to talk to someone about her concerns.

Expert calls for inquiry into Nicola Bulley case over 'evidence concerns' lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne…

This week on the podcast, I am joined by @peter_faulding of @sgirescue. He speaks openly about what really happens when people go missing in water. From serial killer investigations to high-profile missing person cases, Peter explains: - Why bodies are often missed during police searches - How sonar actually works (and why it’s misunderstood) - What officers and investigators should be doing differently - The reality behind river, lake, and reservoir recoveries - Why expert advice is sometimes ignored - with devastating consequences This is a technical, emotional, and controversial conversation that challenges public assumptions and raises serious questions about modern search procedures. Whether you’re a police officer, investigator, journalist, or member of the public — this episode will change how you think about missing persons and water searches. The episode now available on our YouTube channel. youtu.be/twBNWB_z1Yk?si=451u…

Honoured to celebrate Africa’s conservation heroes at this year’s Tusk Awards. @tusk_org