Crux Risk consultants are highly proficient men and women with demonstrable skills and records of outstanding capability, drawn from diverse backgrounds including military, commerce, and journalism. Many bring direct front-line and regional expertise that is both relevant and current to each client’s specific needs.
Our broad range of services means we can deploy individual specialists or an integrated team, providing support in both depth and breadth. Where additional capability is required, our international network of associates and partners provides specialist skills and local knowledge.
For reasons of security and confidentiality, Crux Risk does not publicly list its consultants. Further details are available on request.
Crux Risk is led by experienced partners whose backgrounds span military service, international crisis management, and global security. They lead a team of highly proficient consultants drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, deployable individually or as an integrated team and supported by an international network of associates.
Matthew Burnford is a founding and Managing Partner of Crux Risk LLP, with over thirty years of experience advising clients on crisis management. His core expertise spans the prevention, response, and management of kidnap-for-ransom, malicious product extortion and contamination, and maritime piracy, with extensive operational experience across Europe, the Balkans, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific.
Matthew began his career as a Commissioned Officer in the British Army, serving in Germany, Northern Ireland, and the UK. Following his military service, he worked on international missions under the auspices of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the Balkans, before building a distinguished career in global security and risk management with Control Risks Group, Pinkerton, ArmorGroup, and G4S.
He holds an MBA from the University of Edinburgh and is based in the United Kingdom.
Andrew Watts is a partner and Operations Director at Crux Risk LLP, overseeing protocol and tradecraft across kidnap, ransom, extortion, and other casework. His operational experience spans maritime piracy and land-based kidnap and illegal detention response across Somalia, Kenya, China, the UAE, and Vietnam – including case management, negotiation, operational planning, hostage extraction, and the delivery of air-supply drops to pirate-held vessels.
A qualified international airline and helicopter pilot, Andrew brings additional expertise in aviation-related matters, advising both Crux and its clients accordingly.
Andrew served for 19 years as a Commissioned Officer in the British Army, with postings in Germany, the UK, and Cyprus, and active service in Northern Ireland five tours) and Bosnia. Following his military career, he worked extensively in crisis and emergency management training across the public and private sectors in Australasia.
A graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, he holds a Graduate Diploma in Management Studies and is based between Perth, Western Australia and Brunei.