Aaron Thatcher is an internationally experienced Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) and Director at Control Risks, based in Dubai. He is widely recognised for his deep expertise in security risk management, strategic advisory, and the protection of people and assets in both existing and new planned developments. Aaron brings extensive experience across 20 years of living and working across the Middle East and the UK, shaping security frameworks for government entities, global businesses and urban environments. His insights have been featured through thought leadership pieces on urban security design, geopolitical risk and crisis response.
Aaron leads our built environment and infrastructure security advisory practice in the Middle East. He has led strategic urban security advisory and implementation assurance across multiple giga-projects, as part of Vision 2030.
Major projects that Aaron has worked on include:
- Leading the development and delivery of a multi-faceted consulting appointment for a new city-level development in Saudi Arabia
- Heading up delivery of an updated city-level security risk assessment, security planning, design guidance manual and city-wide security strategy, while providing security assurance and oversight for new developments at all stages
- Consulting on security oversight and peer review services across area masterplanning and asset development for a large ultra-luxury destination on Saudi Arabia’s west coast
- Driving security integration for a new entertainment development located within a Saudi coastal development
- Overseeing a framework agreement supporting a new major public realm development across Riyadh
Before joining Control Risks, Aaron held roles in security consulting, urban security planning, strategic advisory, and regulatory policy implementation for government entities and global clients. Drawing on deep regional expertise, Aaron’s thought leadership includes published insights on urban security and counter‑terrorism trends.
Aaron holds an Advanced Certificate in Terrorism Studies from the University of St Andrews, a BA in International Studies and Arabic from the Virginia Military Institute, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. He is proficient in Arabic.