Leadership
Stratum Global Risk is led by a team with a proven record in operational leadership, risk management, governance and strategic delivery in complex environments.
The company’s leadership oversees strategic direction, governance and the development of Stratum Global Risk’s travel risk management and operational coordination capabilities. Alongside operational and regional experience, the leadership team also brings exposure to international development, agriculture and institutional capital markets, contributing to a broader understanding of long-term resilience, commercial engagement and regionally connected strategic initiatives.
Stratum Global Risk’s operations are managed through a centralised model that enables real-time decision-making, with oversight maintained from a 24/7 operations centre in Amman, Jordan. Stratum operates through a combination of corporate offices, regional hubs and an established international support network. This structure enables delivery across multiple jurisdictions while maintaining local access, regional expertise and operational continuity.
James Carr
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
James Carr is a co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Stratum Global Risk, a British–Jordanian operational resilience, travel risk management and international assistance platform supporting organisations operating across the Middle East and other complex environments. He has over two decades of experience spanning operational leadership, international programme delivery, strategic business development and capital markets across the government, corporate and international development sectors. Prior to establishing Stratum Global Risk, James founded and led a UK-regulated mining finance and advisory business focused on capital raising, transaction execution and strategic advisory support for publicly listed companies. During this period, he worked extensively with institutional investors, private capital, sovereign wealth funds and international investment banking counterparts across multiple jurisdictions.
His background includes senior commercial and operational leadership roles within the international risk and resilience sector, where he worked with corporate, government and NGO clients and supported the development of a government-approved maritime security and anti-piracy training facility in the United Kingdom. He has also supported UK government-funded capacity building programmes in Jordan and previously held operational coordination roles in Iraq supporting British diplomatic operations.
James is a former Royal Marines Commando and has worked across operational, commercial and strategic leadership environments throughout the Middle East and internationally.
OUR ADVISORY PANEL
Strategic Counsel. Global Perspective
Our advisory panel brings together senior experts from defence, security, governance, justice, communications and international affairs. These subject matter experts have extensive experience across military and police capacity building and security sector reform programmes in the Middle East and Globally.
Rachel Farnham
Advisor - Defence Capacity Building
Rachel is an accomplished Security and Defence consultant with extensive operational and advisory experience across the Middle East and Africa. Over a distinguished career in the UK Armed Forces she advised special operations and partner forces in 26 nations. Her expertise spans operations management, strategic communications, international capacity building, and security risk management. Fluent in Arabic and French, Rachel brings a unique blend of strategic insight, cultural understanding, and practical field experience to her role as an advisor, supporting partners operating in complex and high-risk environments.
Paul Brooker MBE
Advisor - Security & Justice
Paul is an experienced international security and justice advisor. His career spans senior leadership positions in the UK Metropolitan Police Service and extensive advisory roles across fragile and conflict-affected environments, where he has worked to strengthen policing, rule of law, and community security. Following a 30 year career with the Metropolitan Police, culminating as Detective Superintendent and Deputy Head of the UK National Policing Improvement Agency’s Leadership College, Paul has since led complex programmes across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, focused on police reform, capacity building, and strategic security planning.
Muna Fityani
Advisor - StratComms & Public Affairs
Muna is a strategic communications and public affairs expert with over 15 years of experience spanning government, diplomacy, investment, and international institutions. Her work focuses on reputation management, crisis communications, and strategic messaging. She currently serves as an External Affairs advisor in Riyadh and spent several years at the Royal Hashemite Court in Jordan, supporting the Office of His Majesty King Abdullah II in international media engagement, crisis response, and strategic narrative development. Muna holds a degree from King’s College London and is recognised for her ability to navigate complex communications challenges
Dr. Gordon Bourne MD
Advisor - Medicine & Operational Risk
Gordon is a medical and risk specialist with a distinguished background as both a physician and risk management professional. He brings over 20 years of experience across clinical leadership, operational medicine, and international risk management, bridging the gap between medical governance and field operations. He has held senior medical and leadership roles across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, directing multidisciplinary teams and advising on crisis response, emergency preparedness, and organisational resilience. His expertise spans clinical risk frameworks, medical intelligence, and the design of healthcare systems.
Saad Basir
Advisor - Defence Capacity Building
Saad is a former British Army Officer with extensive advisory experience across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa. An accomplished leader and strategist, he has held senior staff roles within the UK Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, advised two successive US two-star commanders on operations across the Middle East. Previously seconded to the British Embassy in Riyadh, he designed and delivered partner capacity programmes for the Saudi Armed Forces, directly advising the Saudi Royal Family and multinational coalition commanders on training, doctrine, and security operations.
Barakat Mubarak
Advisor - UXO/EOD - Mine Action & Risk
Barakat is a Senior UXO/EOD Specialist and retired Lieutenant Colonel with over 30 years of military and humanitarian mine action experience across MENA. He has led major UXO clearance, NTS, MRE, and BAC operations in Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Syria, and Sudan. He commanded EOD and IEDD units, trained national teams, and supported UN missions. He is recognised for delivering IMAS-compliant operations, organisational SOPs, and managing high-risk field environments. He holds an MBA, EOD Level 3+ certification, and membership in IABTI, bringing strong leadership and technical expertise to UXO risk management and advisory roles.