Security and privacy expertise, without the nonsense.

We believe that security, when done right, decreases overall costs, enables organisations to exploit opportunities, and builds lasting trust. Our mission is to deliver security and privacy that enables — rather than inhibits — your organisation.

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Years of combined expertise across the team

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Sectors served across public and private organisations

2030

Founded to challenge the way security services are sold

Built from experience. Driven by principle.

The security and privacy market has a problem. Too many providers lead with products. Too many audits produce reports that look thorough but don’t reflect operational reality. Too many organisations end up compliant on paper, exposed in practice.

Principle Defence was founded to challenge that. We provide risk-based, justifiable services that are specifically tailored to address your challenges — going beyond box-ticking to deliver security and privacy that actually works.

Our team's expertise spans the British Army, Big 4 consultancies, boutique firms, and in-house security roles. We've worked with clients across central and local government, and in sectors including new space, legal, logistics, oil and gas, media, financial services, software development, and telecoms.

We hold the certifications we help our clients achieve. We're a Living Wage employer. We're signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. We try to operate as a business the way we advise our clients to — with accountability, transparency, and a clear set of principles.

Our Vision

To end bad security and privacy.

Our Mission

To help customers achieve their visions.

Our Values

We: Are supportive, honest, and collaborative.

I: Have humility, integrity, and am innovative.

Meet the team.

Every engagement at Principle Defence is personal. You work directly with experienced practitioners — not a junior account team.

James Wright

Founder & Managing Director

Jim is an NCSC Certified Cyber Professional (CCP) holding the Lead Security and Information Risk Advisor (L-SIRA) qualification. His expertise spans Risk Management, Data Privacy, Training, and Third-Party Risk Management.

He believes that security and privacy are business enablers when done well — helping organisations reach their goals rather than constraining them. Currently completing an Executive MBA, Jim combines business and security knowledge to deliver effective, practical outcomes.

Amelia Hewitt

Co-Founder & Director of Cyber Consulting

Amelia is also the Founder of CybAid CIC — a non-profit connecting charities and small businesses with cyber support — and the Co-Author of Securely Yours, An Agony Aunt’s Guide to Surviving Cyber.

She has delivered strategic and hands-on engagements across a broad range of sectors including critical national infrastructure and private sector organisations. Her approach — meet people where they currently are and build from there — has proven consistently effective.

Rachael

Consulting Trainer

Over 12 years’ experience delivering training to varied audiences across military and civilian environments. Rachael creates bespoke training content and delivers our certification courses. She believes cyber security doesn’t have to be boring — and that everyone needs to be involved.

Zak

Cyber Security Consulting Analyst

Transitioned into cyber security in 2025 after a career in IT sales in education. Holds CISMP, CCSK, CompTIA Security+, ISO 27001 Requirements, and is a certified Cyber Essentials Assessor. Also a director of CybAid CIC.

Four things we won't compromise on.

Honesty

We tell clients what they need to hear, not what they want to. If a certification isn’t the right next step, we’ll say so. Our recommendations exist to solve your problem, not to generate more work for us.

Integrity

We don’t sell products. We don’t receive referral fees for recommending solutions. Every piece of advice is genuinely independent — grounded in your needs and your risk profile, not ours.

Humility

We meet organisations where they currently are and build from there. Good security advice doesn’t look down — it works alongside you, understanding your constraints and your context before making recommendations.

Innovation

The threat landscape changes. So does our approach. We’re committed to continuous improvement — in our own knowledge, our delivery quality, and the way we help organisations build lasting security and privacy capability.

Our Certifications

Our Partnerships & Associations

Our Partners & Associates

We work with a trusted network of partners and associates to extend the services we can offer — and to refer clients to specialists where that’s genuinely in the client’s best interest.

Partners

Associates

Veteran-owned. Community-committed.

Principle Defence holds the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award — a recognition of our commitment to fair treatment and opportunity for veterans, reservists, and Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers (CFAVs).

As a veteran-owned company, we champion the unique skills, dedication, and leadership that former service members bring to the workplace. Our inclusive hiring practices and ongoing support for veterans transitioning to civilian careers reflect a commitment that goes well beyond a plaque on the wall.

Employer Recognition Scheme — Silver Award

Work with a team that means it.

Security and privacy done properly — grounded in real experience, independently credentialled, and genuinely committed to your outcomes.