Chief Executive Officer, Bland Group International

Lt Col (Retd) John Perez, MBE

John completed 25 years military service with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, retiring as Commanding Officer in January 2010.

Awarded an MBE in 2003 by Her Majesty for his work in Morocco, and recognised in 2009 for his personal contribution to UK – Morocco relations by His Majesty King of Morocco who awarded him “ Al Istihkak Al Askari Knight Wissam”. He is the first non-Moroccan to have achieved such a prestigious award.

In 2005 he was awarded the Bronze Star by the President of the United States, after having served with the US Marine Corps in Iraq.

During his term as Commanding Officer, his soldiers actively served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was also responsible for delivering the Peace Support Operations programme in West Africa, including the security arrangements for the African Union summit in Gambia in 2006. 

He was appointed CEO, Bland Group International in March 2010, in Gibraltar with specific responsibilities for the Group’s interests in Gibraltar, Spain and Morocco

 

Operations Director, Bland Group International

Major (Retd) Eddie Azquez MBE

Edward Asquez spent his first six working years with the Bland Group and then joined the Regular Cadre of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment in 1985.

He rapidly rose through all the ranks holding many operational, instructional and logistical appointments at home and overseas until he was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major, the most senior soldier in the Regiment.

He was later commissioned from the ranks to Captain and became the Quartermaster Technical, responsible for maintaining and sustaining the Regiment on an operational footing.

He was responsible for liaison and providing first line logistical support for Ex JEBEL SAHARA, a most demanding and successful exercise in Morocco and was later instrumental in setting up a British Military Training Team (BMMT) in The Republic of The Gambia. For his diplomacy and excellent work in Morocco and the Republic of The Gambia he was awarded the MBE in June 2007 and later promoted to Major.

Later as Quartermaster he was responsible for providing logistical support to the Regiment and British Forces Gibraltar and maintaining operational stock levels.

On retirement from the Army he re-joined the Bland Group as Operations Director.

 

Security Operations Manager, Manning & Training, OSG.

Andy Rodriguez

Andy completed 22 years with The Royal Gibraltar Regiment and retiring as a Warrant Officer in 2011.

Throughout his career he has served with numerous Infantry Battalions in a variety of different theatres both operationally and in a peacekeeping role. His versatility in all aspects of soldiering created the foundation to become an instructor in numerous fields within the Infantry.

His services as an instructor were utilized in various regions and theatres around the world these include Iraq, Africa and Central America. He became an integral figure serving as Chief Instructor whilst orchestrating the effective training for troops in West Africa prior to their deployment to Darfur.

Having spent the latter stages of his career working within an Infantry Training Wing he retired as a Warrant Officer. He was employed by Bland Group International in 2011 where his current role is Security Operations Manager (Training and Manning).

 

Security Operations Manager, CCTV and Security Systems, OSG

Daniel Bosano

Daniel graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a BA Degree in Business Information Systems in 2006. He was selected for sponsorship under the Gibtelecom Undergraduate Scholarship scheme and received essential training in all aspects of telecommunications during this period.

Upon graduation he joined Watch-I.T. Ltd as an I.T. technician where he assisted in steering the company through the transition from analogue to digital security systems.

In October 2007 he became a manager at Watch-I.T. Ltd expanding his roles into project and man management leading towards becoming Managing Director of Watch-I.T. in 2009.

Daniel then teamed up with three other Directors to launch Secur-I.T. Ltd, a pioneering security company that aimed at bridging the gap between physical and technological security.

In 2011, as part of the merger lead by BGI, Daniel has now taken up the role of Security Operations Manager for CCTV and Security Systems at OSG.

 

 

Security Operations Manager, Mobile Operations and Treasury, OSG.

Joe Olivero

Joe served in the Royal Gibraltar Police Force for over 30 years, during his long career he served as a Detective in the Special Branch for 12 years, was the force firearms instructor and tactical advisor to the commissioner of police, and qualified as an instructor in VIP Protection.

Pioneered and formed the first ever  tactical firearms unit introduced into the police, training constantly in the UK in support of  the RGR and underwent training  with H,M Security Service. Served as the principal protection officer to a number of members of the Royal Family during state visits and the Saudi Royal Family, to ex Presidents of the USA and  held the post of PPO to the chief minister of Gibraltar for a period of over 8 years.

Served as an instructor on the international scene training members of the security police in the state of Gambia, a registered member of the  British Body Guard Association and the International Association of Security Consultants, he joined the Bland Group International in 2011.