EResponse Crowd Safety has announced the appointment one of the world’s leading crowd safety experts.

Dr Mick Upton, a leading security and crowd management consultant, has joined the business as a strategic advisor – working closely with director Andy Hollinson to develop further new qualifications and advise on eResponse Crowd Safety’s expansion into new markets.

Andy said: “Mick’s credentials in the industry are immense and up there with the best.

“He has unrivalled experience and is already proving to be a wonderful advisor as we look to expand eResponse Crowd Safety even further in 2016 and build on our growth story over the past 18 months.

“I know I speak on behalf of everyone here at eResponse when I say how delighted we are to have Mick as part of the team.”

On completion of military service with the British army, Dr Upton started his career as a VIP Close Protection Operative and in 1974 turned his attention to crowd studies – acting as a senior security and crowd management consultant for four decades managing high profile events including Live Aid in 1985 and the Moscow Peace Festival.

Dr Upton added: “I have been impressed by the work that Andy and his team have been doing on the design and delivery of practical training programmes for some time now. Joining eResponse Crowd Safety offers me a great opportunity to work with like-minded professionals to promote international standards of crowd safety management training.”

Aside from being the founder of Showsec International and a founding member of the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association (UKCMA), Dr Upton also developed the industry’s first foundation degree and wrote the first accredited front of stage pit course in 2001. He has also been widely recognised by the industry with a multitude of industry awards and lectures across the country on crowd safety issues.

Dr Upton’s appointment comes only a matter of months since eResponse Crowd Safety unveiled its Level 5 Diploma in Crowd Science and Risk Analysis – the only training firm in the world to offer the qualification.

eResponse Crowd Safety is a division of recruitment and training firm eResponse Group and this year launched an office based in New South Wales, Australia.

Last year the Group was placed at number 44 in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 and was voted one of the UK’s top employers.