Michael Orchard

Michael is a former Senior Police Officer and National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing for Protective Security and Preparedness. He was responsible for Policing’s advice, guidance and operational support to the public and businesses across the UK, to ensure the ongoing identification and management of risk and preparedness for a terrorist attack.

He is also an experienced Counter Terrorism Senior Investigating Officer, who worked alongside the Security Services investigating terrorism and state threats. He is credited with leading numerous investigations that foiled terrorist attacks in the UK. He also led the immediate Counter Terrorism response at the scene of the Westminster Bridge attack of 2017, the immediate investigative phase following the 2017 London Bridge attack and the UK response to the 2015 Paris attacks.

Experienced in understanding wider risk, he was the Senior Investigating Officer for Operation Yewtree – the largest national investigation of sexual offences across the UK against numerous high-profile individuals, including Jimmy Saville, Rolf Harris and many others. He has also undertaken leadership roles supporting policing nationally in the areas of online and cyber crime.

Michael now works as an Independent Security Advisor for several clients, including supporting policing and government programmes regarding Counter Terrorism. He provides ongoing support and advice regarding a Counter Terrorism protection and preparedness programme in elite sport. He also sits as the Independent Chair of Safeguarding Boards and supports the Resilience in Unity programme of work in universities.