Speakers

DCI Chris Simpson has 30 years' service, working in a variety of operational and strategic policing roles. His experience includes various roles within the Specialist Operations Department, responsible for the policing of many large-scale events. Following promotions, Chris specialised in other areas of policing including criminal investigation and counter terrorism. 

Chris has over 10 years’ experience as a hostage and crisis negotiator and is the former Head of the Greater Manchester Police Hostage and Crisis Negotiation Unit. He is trained and experienced across all specialities of negotiation, including Crisis, Crime in Action (Kidnap – domestic and international) and Terrorism. He has delivered training to many hostage negotiators, both within UK policing, niche military units and foreign law enforcement agencies.  

Since 2017 Chris has worked within counter terrorism senior leadership, including as the Protect and Prepare Lead for CT Policing Northwest (2017-2020), and since then, seconded to the National Counter Terrorism Policing HQ as the Head of Operations (2020-2024) and Head of Engagement (2024 – current) for the National Counter Terrorism Security Office. 

As Head of Engagement, Chris is responsible for leading the strategic engagement with government departments and their arms-length bodies to influence the incorporation of CT Protect and Prepare standards into their policies and procedures in line with the UK government’s CONTEST strategy. His portfolio also includes strategic business engagement and the aviation and maritime sectors, raising awareness of the threat of terrorism and the resources available to increase the ability of businesses to Prepare for a terrorist attack and to Protect themselves and the public who visit their locations.