Mike Smith
"Mike has worked in North Africa for over 20 years in security and management roles for major multinational oil and gas companies. As Algiers Liaison Manager for a UK major he managed the risk reporting and analysis for Algeria, working closely with the British, French and US embassies. As Libya Security Manager after the Arab Spring, he managed a team of security operators in a complex and constantly changing environment. He has extensive experience in complex frontier environments, leading mountaineering expeditions in Asia. Mike led or co-led 16 expeditions in the Greater Ranges and Alaska, summiting Everest from both the North and South sides, and climbing on K2 and other 8,000m peaks. Mike was awarded a LLM from the University of London, with a specialism in International Dispute Resolution, and a BSc from the LSE specialising in politics and international relations. He has completed courses in human security and conflict resolution at the IGS in Geneva. He has been a member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, since 2000. Mike served for nine years in 10 PARA(V), a UK reserve forces unit, and was Recce Platoon Sgt for his last two years. He deployed on exercises to Germany, where he also attended the Long Range Recce Patrol School, Cyprus, the US and Nepal."[1]
A 2013 article notes: "After forty-two years of dictatorship under Gaddafi, security is vital to fledgling Libya. Michael Smith was ideally placed to assist having served as Defence Attache to Cambodia and Deputy Force Commander for the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor.
"Since retiring from the Australian Army, Smith was CEO of Austcare, now Action Aid Australia, as well as founder of the Australian Civil Military Centre. And then he received a call from the United Nations asking him to work in Libya." [1]
- Chief Information Officer, Endangered Species Protection Agency
