Where we work

We work worldwide

Partnering for a more secure world

Our team of consultants has decades of experience of teaching, publishing and advising on security governance and management. We believe in working in close partnership with our clients in order to understand the requirement, the context in which delivery will occur and how that engagement contributes to longer term objectives. Enduring relationships, based on mutual respect and trust, are the key to success. The following vignettes give an indication of the types of projects with which we have been involved.

Ghana

Political instability

Ghana achieved its independence from Britain on 6 March 1957; the first African colony to do so. Its first 40 years of existence where marked by political instability, with the country succumbing to six coup d’états. In 1992, under the Presidency of Jerry Rawlings, a new democratic dispensation was initiated. Since the establishment of the Fourth Republic Ghana has sought to consolidate its democracy; security sector reform has been an essential component of those efforts.

Since 2003

Oakwood consultants have been working in Ghana since 2003. Initial engagement took the form of a two-week course on Defence Governance and Management which was delivered on behalf of the UK MOD in support of defence transformation. We were subsequently invited by the Ghanaian Armed Forces to develop and deliver modules on Defence Management and Crisis Management at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College; programmes which remain integral components of the Staff Course curriculum.

The nature of our involvement has continued to evolve over time. We have worked with Ghanaian Universities and CSOs to design and deliver educational programmes on security sector reform. With international partners we have sought to enhance the capacity of parliament to conduct oversight of the security sector, and we have worked closely with the Ghana Armed Forces to enhance their capacity, advising on improvements to procurement and HRM systems.

Ukraine

Force grouping

At the time that Ukraine achieved independence in 1991 it inherited a force grouping from the Soviet Union of over 700,000 personnel. Between 1991 and 2014 the Ukrainian Armed Forces were subject to a series of downsizing initiatives. Unfortunately, these programmes did not address adequately the role, structures, equipment and training requirements of the residual force. Since 2014 the Ukrainian government has sought to address these shortcomings and ensure that the armed forces and other security services are more effective.

Since 2008

Our consultants have been working in Ukraine since 2008 on a variety of projects with stakeholders across the security sector and on behalf of a diverse range of clients (UK MOD, NATO PDP, and FBA). Our initial engagements were focused on sensitising representatives of the Ukrainian security sector on the need for reform of the security governance and management systems. Since 2014 our interventions have become more targeted. We have worked closely and repeatedly with representatives of the Defence Reform Office, General Staff, State Border Guard, Ukrainian Navy, Logistics Corp and civilian administrators of Donetsk and Luhansk on specific change initiatives. Our focus has been on developing the necessary skill sets required to lead successful strategic change programmes.

Scotland

Government structure

In 2012 the Scottish Government began its preparations for the holding of a referendum on independence. The government wished to produce a series of white papers outlining its perspective on defence and security should independence be achieved.

Since 2012

Our consultants began working with the Scottish Government in 2012, highlighting issues for consideration within security and defence planning. We produced a series of papers on a defence and security review, a possible defence and security architecture, the legal and governance framework for security, and the capacity of Scottish industry to meet defence requirements.

What People Say About Us

Testimonials

Professor Laura Cleary has served as a consultant/facilitator for a number Defence and Security courses at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre over the past 16 years. She proficiently led the UK Defence Academy and Cranfield University teams to introduce the Defence...

Brigadier General Emmanuel KotiaGhana Armed Forces

Laura Cleary is a highly respected professional with considerable experience of operating in the international security environment across a range of continents. I have worked with her for many years as both a client and partner where the focus of our mutual efforts has been supporting security sector transformation, particularly in Ukraine. In this respect Laura has been responsible for both the design and delivery of a range of activities aimed at enhancing understanding, and implementation of approaches to the establishment of effective civil-military relations. This is an important aspect of security transformation in Ukraine. Laura’s real strength lies in developing an intimate understanding of the environment in which she is operating, ensuring that ultimately the interventions she has designed are bespoke, not templated solutions, that meet local requirements and therefore resonate with her target audience – essential if delivery is likely to lead to sustainable effect. Laura is held in high regard for her professionalism, knowledge and interpersonal skills. Comfortable working at all levels ranging from Ministers, senior officials to junior officers and civil servants she has been an important instrument of UK’s defence diplomacy efforts delivered through Cranfield University, and more recently as an independent consultant.

Phil Jones, OBEFormer UK Special Defence Advisor to Ukraine

As the Academic Director for Cranfield University’s Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context (MDWSC) course, Professor Laura Cleary has been at the centre of its academic rigour, development and delivery. In many ways, this course has broken new ground and her investment in the programme has returned demonstrable strategic dividends. ..

Chief Executive’s CommendationDefence Academy of the United Kingdom

Professor Laura Cleary is an experienced professional with profound expertise in SSR as well as keen pedagogical skills. Working with Laura was both an inspiring and a learning experience because of her ability to create productive synergies with her colleagues. Laura's support was instrumental in the development and implementation of one of our trainings on SSR. Her flexibility in adjusting the pedagogical approach according to the needs of the participants, together with her ability to facilitate meaningful discussion, was conducive in achieving the training objectives.

Hanna Högberg, SSR Desk OfficerFolke Bernadotte Academy

"Professor Cleary has worked within the UK’s Defence Engagement Programme to deliver high profile Professional Military Education courses at undergraduate and post graduate level to numerous military staff colleges and national defence colleges. Not only does she have an extensive global network of alumni that stretches from the Ukraine to Burma to Ghana, it is a network that has depth with many of her alumni now senior officers or government officials in their own countries. Professor Cleary’s understanding of the countries she works in and her cultural awareness means her delivery style is optimised for her target audience to get the best out of the course.”

Lt Col Stuart Cattermull MBEActing OC Defence Engagement & Director, Defence Attache and Loan Service Wing, Defence Engagement School, Defence Academy of the UK

Our clients

Our clients range from national governments to academic institutions. We have advised on everything from the conduct of national security reviews to reform of defence education and management systems.