- Craig Knowles
- May 16
- 4 min read
With over 20 years of operational experience in close protection and prehospital emergency care—supporting high-net-worth individuals, corporate leaders, and private family offices—and 15 of those years dedicated to teaching and mentoring others, I’ve come to deeply value the power of sharing knowledge and experience.
Since taking over the Professional Bodyguard Association (PBA)Â in 2008, my career has evolved from delivering discreet protection services across the globe to standing at the front of training rooms, helping shape the very professionals I once worked alongside. While I thrived on the operational demands of the job, I now find even greater purpose in preparing others to excel in it.
From Practitioner to Educator
Over two decades in the field, I’ve provided close protection and emergency support in environments where discretion, adaptability, and professionalism weren’t optional—they were critical. Serving high-calibre clients meant that every detail mattered. Every decision carried weight. Every interaction reflected directly on the client’s safety, peace of mind, and reputation.
Early in my career, I realised that technical competence alone wasn't enough. What truly distinguished elite professionals was emotional intelligence, situational awareness, and the ability to read both people and environments with precision. These are the qualities I’ve focused on instilling in others for the past 15 years.
Here's Why I Teach
1. To Pass on Hard-Earned Insight
There’s no shortcut to experience—but experience can be taught. I’ve navigated challenges, made critical decisions, and learned valuable lessons in real-world scenarios. By sharing these, I help others avoid common pitfalls and accelerate their development.
2. To Raise the Industry Standard
As demand grows across the high-net-worth and corporate security sectors, maintaining consistent quality becomes increasingly important. At the PBA, we are committed to raising the bar—ensuring that professionals entering the field are not just certified, but genuinely prepared.
3. To Deliver Long-Term Value
Whether it’s an operative blending into a boardroom environment or a medic responding calmly and efficiently, effective training leads to better outcomes—for clients and practitioners alike. My goal is to develop individuals who are composed, discreet, and capable under pressure.
4. To Build a Legacy Through Others
After two decades in the industry—split between front-line service and mentoring—the most fulfilling part of my journey is seeing former students now leading teams, protecting high-profile clients, and mentoring others in turn. That’s the ripple effect I strive to create. That’s real impact.
Still in the Industry—Just on a New Front
It’s now 2025 and while I no longer operate in the traditional sense, I remain fully engaged in the profession. Through the Professional Bodyguard Association—with a presence in the UK, South Africa, and the USA—I continue to consult, train, and mentor those who understand the critical difference between simply having protection and being protected.
Though my role has evolved—from operator to educator, from practitioner to standard-setter—the mission remains unchanged: to ensure excellence, preparedness, and professionalism define the next generation of close protection and emergency care specialists.
I haven’t stepped away; I’ve stepped into a position where the value of my experience can multiply—through others.
About the Professional Bodyguard Association
The Professional Bodyguard Association (PBA)Â was originally founded in 1985 by John Tombs, a former SAS operative who served in one of the UK's first anti-terrorist units focused on civil aviation security during the early 1970s. His extensive experience in close protection, surveillance, and covert operations laid the groundwork for the association's emphasis on professionalism and high standards in the private security sector.
In 2006, the PBA became an accredited centre with Edexcel, enabling it to offer internationally recognized vocational qualifications in security and emergency care and was officially registered as a non-profit organization in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2008.
Today, the PBA operates internationally, providing training, certification, and support for individuals working in the personal protection and security industry via Qualfications Networks, Qualsafe and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Bringing Clarity to the True Role of a Bodyguard
With established training centres in the Free State, South Africa, and most recently in California, USA, the Professional Bodyguard Association (PBA) is committed to delivering training that emphasizes the core principles of close protection. In an industry increasingly saturated with programs that heavily market firearms proficiency and combat tactics, we find it essential to redirect focus to the fundamental aspects of the bodyguard profession.
It's important to recognize that the ability to carry and use firearms is subject to strict legal regulations, which vary significantly across international borders. Therefore, we believe that an overemphasis on weaponry is misleading and impractical for professionals operating in diverse global contexts.
Our mission is to impart the nuanced skills that truly define effective close protection. This includes situational awareness, risk assessment, discretion, and the ability to seamlessly integrate into the client's environment—all of which are critical to ensuring safety without drawing unnecessary attention.
At the PBA, we strive to cultivate professionals who embody the essence of what it means to be a bodyguard: a protector who prioritizes foresight, adaptability, and professionalism over force.
