About us
IED Training Solutions is a North-east consultancy providing critical and practical training and support in a range of areas including health and safety, risk management, leadership skills, modern day security, corporate resilience and trauma support.
Working with both individuals and companies to transform culture and help build focused, cohesive and resilient teams, we provide them with the tools to overcome crises and improve productivity.
Our suite of training courses, both bespoke and off-the-shelf, help clients achieve the above by being:
- Innovative: IED produces bespoke training courses at the request of clients
- Transformative
- Solution-focused
- Credible
- Industry-accredited
Our Values
- Make a difference
- Transform and help focus
- Improve resilience
- Make a positive impact
Set up in 2015 by former Royal Marine Ian Clark, IED Training’s ethos and core values are an extension of those he learned and practiced during an impressive 22-year career, often in the most challenging and hostile of environments.
Ian’s reputation for diligence, thoroughness, determination and flexibility are the very attributes that ensure IED’s clients receive the highest possible standard of care at all times.
Over the past three years, Ian has built a solid, experienced and reliable team of consultants from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including former military colleagues.
Our Clients
ISO 9001-accredited, IED Training has clients from a wide range of sectors both nationally and internationally, including oil and gas, renewables, transport, the motor industry and the armed services.
Over the past three years, we have designed and developed a suite of IOSH-approved training courses including its specialist Trauma Stress Management course, the only one of its kind in the UK and the first IOSH-approved course specific to the bus industry.
Angus Dec have used IED for training and health and safety consultancy over the last few years. We have found them to be efficient, professional and reliable and would have no hesitation in recommending them to any prospective client.
Stuart Kennedy, Director (Angus Dec)IED are more than they at first appear. In addition to providing us with ‘real’ insights and training in leadership and risk, they provide a wider HSE remit, more traditional capability. Good, no-nonsense guys to deal with.
Jim Ewen, President, HSSEA for AS EAAA (Wood Group)I have never had such consistently good feedback from our colleagues about external training providers as I have had for IED. I find them very flexible; when we need bespoke programmes delivered, they always find a way to make it happen.
Colin McAllister, Group Training and Development Manager (John Clark Motor Group)Our Key People
- Stan BrownStan BrownAssociate
- Local Authority Roads and Transport Department
- Fire Service Health and Safety Officer
- Police – Health & Safety Adviser
- Health & Safety Consultancy
- Stewart TaylorStewart TaylorPlant Instructor
- Dave StapleyDave StapleyFire Safety Consultant
- Ian ClarkIan ClarkManaging Directorianclark@ied-training.co.uk
- Paul BarrettPaul BarrettConsultantpaulbarrett@ied-training.co.uk
- David AlexanderDavid AlexanderMA (Hons), (Hon) DSc, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych
- Adrian LucasAdrian LucasAssociate
- Alan StarrAlan StarrQVRMLead Consultant
- Ruth ThomsonRuth ThomsonFirst Aid Instructor
I am a Chartered Fellow of IOSH and a Chartered Civil Engineer. I have worked in the following sectors:
In all these areas I’ve played a very active role in providing competent H&S advice. I was part of a working group which provided National Guidance for the Fire Service. I have introduced inter Brigade/Force auditing programmes.
I am an accredited trainer with NEBOSH and IOSH and I currently lecture on the NEBOSH Diploma and Certificate Courses. Also an examiner for both the NEBOSH Diploma and Certificate.
I am actively involved with IOSH and hold the Chair positions for IOSH Scotland and the Forth and Tay Branches.
Away from the workplace, I enjoy football and golf. I do charity work for MS, PKAVS and Spectrum.
Ian Clark is the co-founder and Manging Director of IED Training Solutions Ltd. He served in the Royal Marines for 22 years, the majority of which was spent with 45 Commando RM and 3 Commando Brigade conducting numerous operational tours including three to Afghanistan.
After leaving in 2010, Ian worked for five years as in-country operations manager (Sub-Saharan) supporting the global shipping and maritime security industry, a high-profile role which placed a great emphasis on communication, capability, compliance, continuity and governance.
On returning to the UK, Ian established IED in 2015, along with former colleague and long-time friend Paul Barrett. Ian has been instrumental in driving forward the company’s expansion to meet the challenging and changing requirements of its valued clients. The experience and breadth of knowledge gained over a full career, as well as Ian’s personal values of innovation, trust, empathy, passion and attention to detail, have been the bedrock on which IED has built its foundations.
IED co-founder Paul Barrett served as a Mountain Leader in the Royal Marines for 21 years. In 2008, he was seriously injured when he stepped on an enemy landmine during a tour of Afghanistan.
During his return to an independent life, Paul has acquired a number of qualifications, skills and experience with the aim of aiding and inspiring others, and he is now an instructor on several IED training courses.
In recent years, he has become a motivational speaker, a charity fundraiser and has undertaken numerous challenges, in particular scaling Ben Nevis and completing a 10k walk through Royal Deeside. He has also competed in a Royal Marines triathlon, as well as the Wounded Warrior Games in San Diego. HIs latest project, in conjunction with Police Scotland, involves engaging and educating disadvantaged children with the aim of deterring them from becoming involved in serious organised crime.
Professor David Alexander is a trauma specialist who provides professional advice to IED in the field of trauma support processes. Throughout his career, Professor Alexander has been an adviser at many major incidents including natural disasters, accidents, bombings, and shootings both in the UK and abroad. He has taught at the UK police colleges, the Russian School of Militia, and the FBI academy.
In 2001, he was the Distinguished Trauma Visitor to the Republic of South Africa, and is an Honorary Professor at the Senior University in Pakistan. He set up Scotland’s first Trauma Clinic and Trauma Research Centre, and has served as an expert witness for numerous trauma cases.
Adrian Lucas is an independent consultant and Executive Coach who provides business strategy advice to IED. Throughout his professional career, Adrian gained a reputation as a reformer and an individual who understands complex organisations, transformational change and quickly identifies improvement challenges to develop solutions.
During his working life, he gained extensive experience in coaching and mentoring in the public leadership scheme run by Whitehall, as well as a number of NHS training schemes. He was 17 years as a Chief Executive, the last eight of which were running the Scottish Ambulance Service. Adrian has a track record in the development of mission-critical programmes, delivered in budget and on time, as well as first-hand experience responding to, planning for and dealing with large scale incidents.
A Non-Executive Director on the Board of Social Investment Scotland, Adrian is also Chairman of the Borders Branch of SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity, and Chairman of Club Sport Borders, an extension of Scottish Borders Council.
A graduate member of IOSH, Alan delivers health and safety, and trauma stress management consultancy services and training to IED clients.
A former Royal Marine Reservist, Alan retired from the service in 2013 following 32 years’ service, during which time he achieved the rank of Warrant Officer. Initially a heavy weapons specialist, Alan’s career progressed into training, SHEF and managerial roles.
Alan’s experience gained in the Royal Marines, as well as the construction and maritime security industry, allows him to focus on the moral support of individuals. He has a particular interest in mental health, trauma and the management of personnel in crisis situations.
Ruth was a first level registered nurse who qualified in 1991. During her career, she worked in a variety of acute settings enjoying work in the emergency department of a very busy hospital most of all. She became involved in first aid while still working as a nurse, recognising the challenges faced by those outside a hospital environment and the desire to provide top quality care to those she was caring for.
As a first aider, Ruth was a Clydesider during the Commonwealth Games in 2014. She is also the first aider and instructor for Scottish Fencing Ltd, the national governing body of this sport.
Ruth, who provides a wide range of first aid training courses for IED, has experience of training in a variety of settings and enjoys the challenge of ensuring training is tailored to the needs of her clients. She prides herself in providing top quality training experiences.