Our Values

The Directors of State 21 all come from a police and military background, and all hold a similar set of values. These have helped us lead teams and deliver services to a standard that met public expectations. As such when we went in to business it was important to each of us that we operate within the same set of values to deliver a service to the satisfaction of our clients.

We consider ourselves to be ADEPT

Authentic - we have a proven record in leading and managing people and in business development. We will not offer anything that we do not have experience or knowledge in.

Diverse: - we believe that recognising, engaging, attracting and employing people from diverse cultures is essential for providing effective services and enabling the growth of any business. All our products and services are developed and delivered recognising the diverse needs of our clients.

Energised - as a team we are there to meet the needs of our clients and deliver a bespoke comprehensive service. Success in everything we do and the desire to deliver quality products and services motivates us all.  

Proud - we are proud of our backgrounds. We have all developed skills and competencies from our previous roles which we now use to deliver the services offered by State 21.

Trustworthy - coming from a policing and military background, being trustworthy was critical in order for us to do our roles and enable us to engage with the public. Trust in any business is critical for success and we abide by this value throughout our daily activities.

 We expect all our Associates to have similar values to ensure the client receives an excellent service which meets their needs.

Meet The Team


Richard Rowland – CMgr FCMI, MSt(Cantab)

Marine and Ports Director

Whilst serving as a police officer for 30 years, up to the rank of Chief Superintendent, Richard gained extensive experience covering both operational and organisational leadership, major project management, major event organisation and technology insertion. He led a significant restructuring exercise for a major business area of the force, reducing costs by £5 million.

Richard’s last two commands encompassed area command and leadership of intelligence, research, analysis, performance, resource management, event planning and the ‘extended police family’. In addition Richard was both a ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’ Public Order Commander and an assessor for the College of Policing’s Gold Public Order course.

Richard is qualified for both PTLLS (preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector) and CTLLS (certificate in teaching in the lifelong learning sector) and is an associate of the College of Policing. In addition to this, he is an accredited trainer for Victim Support (www.victimsupport.org.uk) and is rolling out the Victim Awareness Course nationally. He has also delivered training to the University of Portsmouth and chairs an advisory committee for Reserve Armed Forces.

 

Darren Miller MSyl

Operations Director

Darren is a former Police Officer with Hampshire Constabulary and Tactical Commander in Firearms and Public Order/Public Safety. 

Responsible for planning and delivering various operations including music events, sporting events, protests and other policing operations. 

Darren has also worked on a range of national policing issues including Roads Policing , Firearms Licensing and ICT programmes. 

Previously Chairing the Tactical Coordination Group for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

After completing his 30 years service with the Police Darren provided Risk Management consultancy services into the National Health Service and Multi-Agency Command Training for London Fire Brigade.

More recently, working for the Trade Association ADS as the Head of Policing & Law Enforcement Engagement, supporting over 1200 companies representing industry. Building and maintaining working relationships with key government stakeholders (Domestically and Internationally) connecting members with business opportunities. 

Darren is also a Member of the Security Institute - (MSyI)

Gavin McMillan - BA (Hons) PG Cert.

Business Director

Gavin spent thirty years with Hampshire Constabulary as a police officer. During his career he carried out a variety of strategic command roles with responsibility for the leadership and management of people, performance and partnerships. This included Operational Command of the Isle of Wight and Test Valley Council areas.

Gavin has always excelled in the development of people, either through the management of people/teams or within the Learning and Development arena, both as a qualified Trainer or more strategically in his last role as Superintendent, Head of Learning and Professional Development for the Force. He has experience in the  planning and running of events across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. He has also led on a number of change programmes, including Business Readiness lead for the Force when the back office functions/technology across the Constabulary, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire County Council were integrated. He was responsible for project managing the introduction of new style BodyWorn Video Cameras to all officers in the Force.

As the Head of the Force Hostage Negotiator Team, Gavin was responsible for ensuring the Force had the capability of supplying trained and skilled staff to assist in the management of incidents involving people in crisis such as those contemplating suicide, hostage taking and extortion incidents, leading on several national and international incidents for Hampshire.

As a field officer for the National Police Improvement Agency (College of Policing) – Gavin was responsible for assisting Forces in the South East Region to plan and introduce Neighbourhood Policing into their Force area, introducing new concepts, advising them, supporting them and ultimately auditing them.

Testimonials

Associates

The strength of the company and the services we offer is enhanced by the number of Associates we can call upon, each providing a wide range of skills and expertise. They are available for short and long-term pieces of work.

Our Partners

State 21 believes that working together makes us stronger. As such we have developed several partnerships working alongside small and large organisations which to enable us to bring together experts in a range of fields to deliver an effective service. These include: