Insights and resources for advisers handling behavioural risk, unwanted attention and uncertainty on behalf of prominent clients.

When Your Clients Face Concerning Behaviour

“For those advising individuals and organisations on threat risks, it’s essential to understand who and what one is dealing with. Philip Grindell’s decades of real-world experience mean his voice is ignored at your and (more importantly) your client’s peril.”

— Julian Pike, Head of Reputation Management and Sport at Farrer & Co at the time, now Partner at Gunnercooke

Support for professionals advising prominent individuals and families

As a professional adviser, your clients trust you with sensitive matters. Those matters sometimes involve personal security or behavioural concerns that sit outside your expertise — but directly affect your work together.

A client involved in contentious proceedings who becomes anxious about attending court.

A family whose wealth or profile becomes public following a transaction.

A principal receiving concerning communications, unsure whether they represent real risk or background noise.

These situations affect judgement, well-being, and decision-making — and can materially influence the outcomes you are working towards.

You shouldn’t be expected to assess threat, intent or behavioural risk yourself.

But you do need someone you can call.

How we support professional advisers

Defuse Global provides behavioural threat and risk investigation and advisory support for prominent individuals and families. We work alongside existing advisers — solicitors, wealth managers, insurers, family offices and communications professionals — as part of the client’s wider advisory team.

We work alongside you, never around you. Our job is to clarify what is actually happening so that decisions can be proportionate and informed.

What you can expect from us:

• We reinforce your position as the lead adviser
• We respect professional boundaries and confidentiality
• We communicate clearly, without unnecessary alarm
• We coordinate discreetly with you as appropriate
• We support your duty of care without creating dependency or drama

Advisers come to us because the work gets simpler when we are in the room.

When to consider specialist support

Behavioural risk rarely presents as a direct request for security. More often, it appears indirectly — through changes in behaviour, confidence or decision-making.

You may notice:

Communication hesitancy — reluctance to discuss certain matters by email or in the usual settings.

Heightened privacy concerns — unusual sensitivity about access to information or documents.

Decision delays — important issues are being postponed without a clear rationale.

Lifestyle contraction — reduced travel, social engagement or public visibility.

Family-related anxiety — increased concern for a spouse or children.

Direct disclosure — mention of unwanted contact, unsettling messages or feeling observed.

These signals don’t always indicate a threat. But they do warrant a proper assessment.

What we actually do

We assess behaviour, context, access and intent to determine whether a client is facing:

• an ongoing threat that requires action
• a contained issue that requires management
• or noise amplified by uncertainty and stress

We then advise on proportionate next steps — which may include reassurance, monitoring, intervention, or coordination with authorities, where appropriate.

The outcome is clarity. For you and for your client.

The introduction process

When you identify a client who may benefit from specialist input, the process is straightforward and discreet.

1. Initial adviser consultation. A confidential conversation about the situation — no client details required. We help you assess whether involvement is appropriate and how to frame it effectively.

2. Client introduction. A carefully positioned introduction focused on wellbeing, clarity and proportionate decision-making. We can provide suggested language or join a three-way call if helpful.

3. Assessment and recommendations. We conduct a thorough assessment and provide clear findings and recommendations for next steps. We keep you informed as agreed, while respecting client confidentiality.

4. Ongoing coordination. Where matters continue, we work alongside you so that behavioural risk sits properly alongside legal, financial and reputational planning.

In-house briefings for professional teams

We also deliver a 40-minute in-house briefing for professional teams, helping colleagues recognise behavioural risk signals and raise concerns appropriately with clients. The briefing covers what behavioural risk looks like in practice, how to recognise the early signals, when to escalate and how to do so without alarming the client. We tailor the content to your firm’s practice areas and can deliver it in person or remotely.

Why advisers work with us

Because we help you to:

• protect your client relationship
• support sound decision-making
• manage risk without escalation
• fulfil your duty of care confidently

Without turning security into the focus.

Get in touch

For a confidential conversation about a client situation, or to request a team briefing:

Direct line: +44 (0)207 293 0932 Email: [email protected]

All preliminary discussions are confidential.