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    Executive Protection in London: How to Compare the Top Firms in 2026

    Hiring Guide26 June 202610 min read

    > The short version: Executive Protection in London: How to Compare the Top Firms in 2026 — published rates, real UK playbook.

    Choosing an executive protection firm in London is a procurement decision, not a sales pitch. This 2026 guide gives family offices, GCs, COOs and chiefs of staff a like-for-like comparison framework — accreditations, officer pedigree, response time, vehicle capability, pricing transparency — so the decision is data-driven, not impression-driven.

    The Five Comparison Dimensions

    Score every shortlisted firm out of 10 on: 1) Accreditation (SIA-licensed score, documented quality procedures/27001), 2) Officer pedigree (regiment/unit, years served, current SIA licence), 3) Response time (deployment SLA in writing), 4) Vehicle and armour (owned or contracted), 5) Pricing transparency (written itemised quote, usually the same working day). A top firm scores 8+ on all five.

    Accreditation Check (15 minutes)

    Verify SIA licence status on the SIA register. Check the score band (top 15% / top 25% / standard). Ask for documented quality procedures and documented information-security procedures certificates. If the firm cannot show these on email inside the hour, they fail.

    Officer Pedigree Check

    Ask for the specific unit: ex-SO1/specialist police (Met Royalty & Specialist Protection), ex-22 SAS, ex-SBS, ex-Parachute Regiment Pathfinders, ex-Royal Military Police CP Unit. Ask for years in role and current SIA licence number. Top firms have this on the proposed officer's profile page.

    Response Time SLA

    A written SLA: 2–4 hours inside the M25 during business hours, 4 hours overnight, 6–12 hours UK regional. If the SLA is verbal or 'as soon as possible', score 4/10. If it's in writing with a refund clause, score 9/10.

    Vehicle and Armour Capability

    Owned enhanced-protection Range Rover, Mercedes S-Class Guard, V-Class with privacy glass — score 9/10. Held on standing contract — score 7/10. 'Subcontracted on request' — score 4/10.

    Pricing Transparency Test

    Email the same brief to every shortlisted firm at 09:00. By 10:00, you should have written itemised quotes (officer day rate, vehicle, fuel, parking, kit, overtime, cancellation). Late quotes, vague quotes, or 'call to discuss' — score 3/10.

    2026 Executive Protection Price Reference

    Single CP priced per assignment. Two-officer detail with security chauffeur and saloon pricing confirmed in a written quote per 12 hours. Two-officer detail with enhanced-protection armoured Range Rover pricing confirmed in a written quote per 12 hours. International travel (planning, visas, advance work) quoted bespoke.

    The 90-Minute Procurement

    Shortlist three firms. Email the same brief to all three at 09:00. By 10:30, you have three written itemised quotes, three named-officer profiles, three SIA-licensed confirmations and three response-time SLAs. Score them on the five dimensions and decide on data, not on the website.

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    Related Reading

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Related Security Services

    Explore the services referenced in this guide, or arrange a professional security assessment.

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    About the Author

    Roy

    Director, VIP Protection Services

    Roy is a Director of VIP Protection Services, overseeing SIA-licensed close protection, executive protection, corporate security and residential security across the UK. He personally writes and reviews every guide, checking each against current SIA licensing rules and BS 7858:2019 screening standards before publication.

    • SIA Close Protection licensed officers
    • BS 7858:2019 screened (5-year vetting)
    • Documented assignment planning
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    “Discreet, impeccably presented and completely reliable. They planned the detail properly rather than simply putting people on the ground — which is exactly what we needed.”
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