Optima Defence Security Group
Defence and security consultancy; CSSF contractor
| Optima Defence & Security Group | |
|---|---|
| Trade name | |
| Logo | |
| Type | Company registered at Companies House |
| Founded | 18 February 2009 (incorporated) |
| Founder(s) | |
| Defunct | |
| Headquarters | Leeds |
| Industry | Defence activities |
| Services | |
| Parent | |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Revenue | |
| Number of employees | |
| Homepage | |
Optima Defence & Security Group (Optima Defence & Security Group Limited, Companies House number 06823105) is a contractor to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF). Companies House records the company as incorporated on 18 February 2009, with status "Liquidation", nature of business "84220 - Defence activities".[1][2] It is not among the named suppliers on Lots 1 and 3 of the CSSF Framework Agreement 2023–27; the 37 Lot 2 suppliers were "redacted on National Security grounds".[3] Contracts Finder lists 4 published CSSF award(s) to the organisation with a combined stated value of £2,569,587.
Overview
Members of Optima Defence & Security Group Limited resolved on 16 February 2023 to wind the company up voluntarily, appointing joint liquidators from Begbies Traynor; the resolution was signed by Stephen Richard Bishop as chair.[4]
CSSF/ISF and other UK government work
In 2017 Iraq Business News, citing the UN Global Marketplace, reported that Optima had won a US$203,618 contract from UNOPS to provide IED Defeat management training in Baghdad.[5]
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) reviewed the CSSF's aid spending in March 2018 and gave it an amber-red score, finding the fund responsive to National Security Council priorities but with weak results management and inadequate evidence of outcomes and value for money.[6] ICAI published a follow-up review in 2019.[7]
Key people
Former Multi-National Division (South East) commander Major General Jonathan Shaw is recorded at Companies House as a director, and The Guardian has described him as "chairman of Optima Group".[8]
Published CSSF contracts
| Award date | Contract | Value (£) | Supplier name as published | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-07-01 | GB-Glasgow: Staff Officers' Awareness Course (SOAC) | 23,310 | Optima Defence and Security Group Ltd. | [9] |
| 2019-07-01 | Provision of Staff Officers' Awareness Course (SOAC) | 23,310 | Optima Defence and Security Group Ltd. | [10] |
| 2019-09-04 | CSSF: Pakistan Change Management in Civilian Counter-Terrorism Justice Inst | 2,212,197 | Optima Defence & Security Group Limited | [11] |
| 2021-01-26 | Wargaming Exercise Development - Awarded | 310,770 | OPTIMA DEFENCE & SECURITY GROUP LIMITED | [12] |
People
| Name | Role | Appointed | Resigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Bishop (Stephen Richard Bishop) | Director | 10 November 2017 | – |
| Nigel Cribb (Nigel Jonathan Cribb) | Director | 30 July 2015 | – |
| Anthony Guest (Anthony John David Guest) | Director | 6 September 2017 | – |
| Keith Hammond (Keith Eifion Hammond) | Director | 18 February 2009 | – |
| Jonathan Shaw (Major General Jonathan David Shaw) | Director | 1 October 2014 | – |
| Stephen Bishop (Stephen Richard Bishop) | Secretary | 30 July 2015 | 16 May 2017 |
| Rhys Williams (Rhys John Tudor Williams) | Secretary | 16 May 2017 | 23 February 2023 |
| Jonathan Shaw (Jonathan David Shaw) | Director | 17 October 2012 | 27 August 2013 |
| Rhys Williams (Rhys John Tudor Williams) | Director | 1 August 2016 | 23 February 2023 |
See also
Notes
- ↑ Companies House, OPTIMA DEFENCE & SECURITY GROUP LIMITED (06823105) Companies House, accessed 16 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Companies House, OPTIMA DEFENCE & SECURITY GROUP LIMITED (06823105): officers Companies House, accessed 16 October 2026.
- ↑ Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Framework Agreement (2023-2027): contract award notice 029743-2023 Find a Tender Service, 2023.
- ↑ The Gazette, Optima Defence & Security Group Limited: Resolutions for Winding-up The London Gazette, 23 February 2023.
- ↑ Iraq Business News, Optima to provide Training for UNOPS in Baghdad Iraq Business News, 17 May 2017.
- ↑ Independent Commission for Aid Impact, The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund's aid spending ICAI, March 2018.
- ↑ Independent Commission for Aid Impact, ICAI follow-up of: The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund's aid spending ICAI, 2019.
- ↑ The Guardian, Jonathan Shaw The Guardian, accessed 16 October 2026.
- ↑ Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, GB-Glasgow: Staff Officers' Awareness Course (SOAC) Contracts Finder, 2019-07-01.
- ↑ Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Provision of Staff Officers' Awareness Course (SOAC) Contracts Finder, 2019-07-01.
- ↑ Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, CSSF: Pakistan Change Management in Civilian Counter-Terrorism Justice Inst Contracts Finder, 2019-09-04.
- ↑ Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Wargaming Exercise Development - Awarded Contracts Finder, 2021-01-26.