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Expertise
At Sword Training Solutions Ltd, we bring together a world-class team of professionals and Associates with diverse expertise and global experience. Our people are the foundation of our success, enabling us to support a growing international client base across sectors and regions.
Our Strategic Approach: Collaborative, Measurable, Mission-Aligned
At Sword Training Solutions, we build long-term international partnerships anchored in trust and operational integrity. We collaborate directly with clients to co-create tailored training strategies that align seamlessly with your regional, regulatory, and organisational mandates. Every engagement is measured against rigorous international quality standards to deliver sustainable, transformational impact.
Our strength lies in the calibre and diversity of our people. Our core team and trusted Associates bring together a wealth of experience across sectors including government, defence, education, charity, and corporate leadership.
We are proud to work with professionals who are:
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Highly qualified and security-cleared to the highest UK Government standards
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Culturally aware and globally experienced, enabling us to operate effectively across regions
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Collaborative and client-focused, committed to delivering tailored, impactful solutions
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Innovative thinkers, combining strategic insight with practical delivery
Our team is united by a shared commitment to excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement. Whether working locally or internationally, we bring the same level of professionalism, discretion, and dedication to every assignment.
Rob Giles MA MSC PGCE
Founder and CEO
Rob brings over three decades of experience in military training and education development, having served as both an infantry soldier and an officer. With an MA and MSc, and more than 15 years in education design, Rob has built a career rooted in strategic leadership and operational excellence.
In 2020, Rob founded Sword. His vision was to create a platform for professionals who are passionate about helping others grow and prepare for the future.
As CEO, Rob leads with a hands-on approach, ensuring every project meets the highest standards of quality and impact. His global network includes partnerships with major defence providers and consultancies, and his leadership continues to drive Sword’s expansion and innovation. covering areas including;
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ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 14001
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Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT)
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ADDA, ADDIE, SADL
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Train the Trainer Programmes
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FCDO Engagement
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Female Empowerment Initiatives
Vince Hockley
Chief Operating Officer
With over 24 years of military experience, Vince specialises in leadership development, training design, and strategic learning systems. He has held key roles at both operational and strategic levels, focusing on developing new leaders and preparing them to train and lead others effectively.
His expertise in the Systems Approach to Training (SAT) enables him to create tailored learning solutions for clients across defence, security, and corporate sectors worldwide. Vince’s approach blends strategic insight with practical application, ensuring training is both relevant and impactful. In addition to his instructional expertise and successful track record, Vince is a certified ISO 45001 Lead Auditor and an ISO 9001 Trainer.
Known for his professional rigour, Vince builds strong, outcome-driven relationships. His ability to connect and guide people reflects his mission: to help others become confident, capable practitioners in the training world. Whether mentoring individuals or supporting teams through change, Vince is committed to helping others unlock their full potential.
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Sarah Clayton BA DipM CMCIM
Chief of Staff
Sarah brings over 25 years of experience in leading large-scale, high-impact programs to her role as Chief of Staff. She is instrumental in overseeing daily operations and internal governance, ensuring that strategy aligns seamlessly with execution. Her expertise in managing cross-functional initiatives fosters smooth communication between leadership and teams, enhancing overall organizational effectiveness.
Sarah is responsible for driving operational efficiency, overseeing project delivery, managing internal processes, and supporting executive decision-making. She plays a hands-on role in team leadership, resource planning, and HR functions—including recruitment, on-boarding, performance management, and employee engagement. She fosters a collaborative culture and ensures our people and processes are equipped to scale effectively.
Sarah is central to maintaining our strong culture of governance and compliance. She leads all internal ISO initiatives and provides dedicated support to our major ISO clients, ensuring they receive reliable, expert guidance at every step.
James Heald
Lead Instructor
Through 31 years of exemplary service in the British Army, James has developed outstanding teaching and training capabilities, consistently demonstrated through the effective delivery of technical, operational, and leadership instruction across a variety of environments.
As a DSAT-trained (Defence Systems Approach to Training) instructor, James has expertly designed, structured, and implemented training programs that align with defence standards and meet operational demands. In addition to his instructional expertise, he is a certified ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 Lead Auditor and Trainer, bringing a detailed understanding of quality and information security management systems into his training practices—ensuring both compliance and continuous improvement.
More recently James achieved ISO 21502 Lead Project Manager status. James also holds IOSH Managing Safely certification, reflecting his in-depth knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and safe systems of work, which he integrates seamlessly into all training activity.
Lee Mullett
Lead Instructor
Lee joined the team in April 2025, with a master’s degree in education practice and innovation, complimented by 20+ years of practical application in training settings. He has experience in training design, delivery, audit and assurance, and has developed a diverse portfolio of Systems Approach to Training (SAT) expertise in organisations including Defence Intelligence, Defence Communications and the Army’s Educational and Training Services (ETS) Branch, where he qualified and practised as a defence learning development adviser. Globally, Lee delivered SAT activities to the Nigerian Air Warfare College and was embedded within a host nation’s Land Forces’ Headquarters as the SAT manager and Theatre curriculum design lead.
Prior to joining us, Lee provided assurance to SAT documentation and processes, and managed a team of course designers and training analysts within a defence level organisation.
An ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, Lee continues to serve as an Army Reserves officer delivering leadership and management training and education.
Steve Brown
Consultant
With 25 years of training, teaching and team management experience across multiple domains, Steve brings a wealth of training design, delivery and assurance expertise to the Sword Training Solutions team.
Initially specialising in physical development & skill acquisition, adventurous training and physical rehabilitation, Steve has developed a diverse experiential portfolio of Systems Approach to Training (SAT) expertise working for organisations such as British Army Headquarters, the Army Staff Leadership School and the Defence Intelligence Training Group. Additionally, Steve has delivered SAT and Train-the-Trainer training for such overseas military clients as the Naval Academy and Intelligence Academy, Nigeria, the Army Staff College, Ukraine, the Royal Saudi Land Forces, and the Military Academy, Iraq.
Capitalising on his previous experience as team leader for the Defence Intelligence Training Audit Team, Steve is an ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 Lead Auditor.