Director, Business Operations in the Confidential Crisis Response Department

Location: London
Key skills: Partnership Relationship Management, People Management, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Research and Analysis, Data Analysis and Visualisation, Commercial Management, Writing and Presenting, French & German language skills
Interests: Eating out and holidays with my husband, long walks with my cockapoo called Scampi, reading, listening to music, spending time with friends and family, making teddy bears

“I make the difference by striving to create a supportive and collaborative work environment. I try to be available to advise and support my colleagues and our clients, either as a relationship manager, a line manager, an experienced colleague or as a leader in our Women’s Network.”

Nicola Willison,
Control Risks


I joined the Confidential Crisis Response team as an analyst in 2012. I had three years of analytical experience and was seeking a role where I could use those skills, develop specialist subject matter expertise, and have a profound impact through my work. The role I saw within the Response team, providing tactical data and analysis to assist in resolving kidnap cases, was perfect. 

Since then, I’ve worked alongside talented specialist consultants on hundreds of kidnap cases. Throughout my time at Control Risks, I have always felt my hard work has been rewarded with progression through the team.  I have moved from Analyst to Senior Analyst, Associate Director and finally Director of the analyst team. In 2022 I was seeking a new challenge but wanted to stay with the Response team. The role I now have is Director, Business Operations, which is part of the senior management team responsible for managing Control Risks’ longest partnership – the Special Risks insurance relationship with Hiscox. There is no typical day in this role, so my day can see me go from briefing Hiscox, insurance brokers or clients on our service offering or live incidents, working through case-related queries to chairing a Women’s Network committee meeting.  

I’ve always found Control Risks to be a flexible employer wherever I have shown flexibility. When I switch off from work, I like to spend time with my husband, my parents, my gorgeous cockapoo and my friends. My husband and I like to travel, and we try to visit South Africa once a year to visit his family and friends and sample the fantastic wine.

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