James Houghton

Hart Security CEO and Advisor

I’ve worked with Leadership Trust for many years, regularly sense-checking approaches to ensure they reflect the realities of high-pressure environments. Before joining Hart in 2015 and becoming CEO in 2023, I served with the Black Watch, UKSF and NATO, then spent over 30 years delivering security and crisis management across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

I believe leadership under pressure demands clarity, courage and adaptability. At Hart, I lead a team trusted by governments, UN agencies, INGOs and commercial clients operating in some of the world’s most complex settings.

My focus is always on turning strategy into action that holds up in the real world.