
Chris Shirley MA FRGS
With a background in Close Protection and the Royal Marines, Chris is the Design Director at Hiatus.Design and known for combining operational experience with human-centred design to support innovation across the Defence, Security, Cyber and Space sectors. He has worked in over 60 countries, supporting BBC field teams, advising international NGOs, and leading COVID-19 management for Sir Elton John’s world tour. His unique skill set blends crisis decision-making, visual communication, and digital experience design.
Chris holds a Master’s in Business Management (MA) and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). He has delivered work for Google, the BBC, ITN, Bear Grylls, and UK defence start-ups, bringing clarity and impact to complex digital challenges. A two-time Guinness World Record holder, he now splits his time between the UK and Estonia, helping scale-ups bridge cross-cultural UX and build resilient digital products.