Our Team
Julian Davies
Founder
Julian is a founder and director of Cygnus, specialising in intelligence and risk management. He is an accredited expert witness in Security and has given evidence in the High Court of Justice and the World Bank’s ICSID tribunal.
Before co-founding Cygnus, Julian was the Head of Consulting for a global intelligence and risk management business, based in the City of London.
He was a Major in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment, and as a pilot he commanded an operational squadron in the Army Air Corps. He holds a BA (Hons) in Russian Language and Russian Studies.
Before co-founding Cygnus, Julian was the Head of Consulting for a global intelligence and risk management business, based in the City of London.
He was a Major in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment, and as a pilot he commanded an operational squadron in the Army Air Corps. He holds a BA (Hons) in Russian Language and Russian Studies.
Ben Ashwell
Founder
Ben specialises in security, delivering the critical intelligence that guides strategic decisions on market entry, M&A, and project feasibility. He also advises on risk policy, governance and implementation as part of organisational capability building.
His recent work has focussed on risks stemming from terrorism, insurgency, loss of community acceptance and environmental activism. He has advised senior stakeholders in critical infrastructure, technology, financial services, natural resources, and telecoms.
Before founding Cygnus, Ben led the security consulting business of a global intelligence and risk consulting firm. He is a former Captain in the British Army and Royal Marines and has led combat, counterinsurgency, and maritime contingency operations across the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
His recent work has focussed on risks stemming from terrorism, insurgency, loss of community acceptance and environmental activism. He has advised senior stakeholders in critical infrastructure, technology, financial services, natural resources, and telecoms.
Before founding Cygnus, Ben led the security consulting business of a global intelligence and risk consulting firm. He is a former Captain in the British Army and Royal Marines and has led combat, counterinsurgency, and maritime contingency operations across the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Tim Carter
Cyber Security Specialist
Tim is an offensive security expert specialising in penetration testing and adversary simulation. With a diverse background in cybersecurity consulting, IT infrastructure, software development, and military special forces, he founded Echo Zero, a Cygnus partner company delivering advanced security services. Tim’s expertise spans network and cloud security, red teaming, social engineering, and security advisory.
Previously, he led offensive security at a global consultancy, executing complex red team engagements for finance, critical infrastructure, and government sectors. Certified in OSCP+, OSWP, CPSA, CRT, and CISSP, with a BSc in Computer Science from Oxford Brookes University, Tim combines technical prowess with strategic insight to strengthen organizational cyber resilience.
Previously, he led offensive security at a global consultancy, executing complex red team engagements for finance, critical infrastructure, and government sectors. Certified in OSCP+, OSWP, CPSA, CRT, and CISSP, with a BSc in Computer Science from Oxford Brookes University, Tim combines technical prowess with strategic insight to strengthen organizational cyber resilience.
Rob Palfrey
Social Risk Specialist
Rob specialises in social risk management, stakeholder engagement, negotiation and mediation to support clients in their social performance. He also works in information operations and human security, often as part of war gaming these issues.
Rob is the founder of Minerva SRM – a partner to Cygnus – which enables clients to build and maintain robust social licences to operate, focused upon operating in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
Rob has been retained as a civilian expert in conflict by the British Government and was a non-executive director of Human Rights at Sea International. Rob served as an infantry officer in the British Army, deploying on operations to Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rob is the founder of Minerva SRM – a partner to Cygnus – which enables clients to build and maintain robust social licences to operate, focused upon operating in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
Rob has been retained as a civilian expert in conflict by the British Government and was a non-executive director of Human Rights at Sea International. Rob served as an infantry officer in the British Army, deploying on operations to Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Johnny Brooke
Head of Legal
Johnny specialises in litigation and dispute resolution. He is a qualified lawyer and Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, with experience in the UK and overseas – particularly the Middle East and North Africa.
Johnny’s work enables our clients to maintain oversight of the legal considerations and constraints of their actions, ensuring compliance with the laws of their home jurisdiction and the other jurisdictions in which they operate.
Prior to his career in law, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army’s Royal Armoured Corps where he gained operational experience in the Middle East.
Johnny’s work enables our clients to maintain oversight of the legal considerations and constraints of their actions, ensuring compliance with the laws of their home jurisdiction and the other jurisdictions in which they operate.
Prior to his career in law, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army’s Royal Armoured Corps where he gained operational experience in the Middle East.
Sanika Pradhan
Associate Analyst
Sanika specialises in data analysis and intelligence. Her data-driven approach helps Cygnus deliver objective risk reporting and policy advice our clients can rely on.
With a background in economics and finance, she offers expertise in business intelligence, policy analysis, and strategic advisory. She has worked in both public and private sectors in the UK and internationally, designed data solutions for local government, led complex analysis projects, and provided insights to senior stakeholders to aid policymaking.
Sanika holds an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BSc in Economics and Finance from the University of London.
With a background in economics and finance, she offers expertise in business intelligence, policy analysis, and strategic advisory. She has worked in both public and private sectors in the UK and internationally, designed data solutions for local government, led complex analysis projects, and provided insights to senior stakeholders to aid policymaking.
Sanika holds an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BSc in Economics and Finance from the University of London.