About

Robin Barratt

Now in my early 60s and trained in mental health, I first started working in security way back in the late '80s, firstly on the doors, and then in close protection, both operations and training, in countries including Russia and the Balkans (during the conflict). I had a small international security training company which I sold in 2000, and began writing my first book Doing the Doors, which became a genre best-seller. I have been writing and publishing on and off ever since, and am now the author of a large number of books including six non-fiction, true crime titles, and Finding Work as a Close Protection Specialist (with over 10,000 free downloads, probably the most widely read manual of its kind). I have also written articles for magazines worldwide including; Signature, Sur La Terre, Gulf Insider, Time Out, Norfolk magazine, Absolute Lifestyle, T Qatar, Exotic Car magazine, and others.

I have also compiled and published six acclaimed collections of interviews, personal stories, poetry and short prose from around the world on the themes of mental health.

All with FIVE STAR ratings at Amazon!


My personal website: www.RobinBarratt.co.uk / My Amazon author's page: www.amazon.co.uk/Robin-Barratt/e/B0034PY84C

Venues I have worked include:

Charter Hall (events & concerts) – Colchester; Colchester Town Hall (private events) – Colchester, Southend Town Hall (events) – Southend; Norwich Arts Centre - Norwich; St. Andrew's Hall - Norwich; Ritzy – Norwich; Hy’s Nightclub – Norwich; Hectors House – Norwich; Bedford’s Wine bar – Norwich; St. Giles Wine bar – Norwich; Henry’s Café bar – Norwich; Rick’s Place – Norwich; Hog in Armour – Norwich; Peppermint Park – Norwich; Timber Hill Snooker Hall – Norwich; Ronnelles International – Cambridge; The Millionaire – Peterborough; Easy Street – Preston; Digby’s – Mansfield; Gables and Raffles – Wellingborough; Starbucks bar – Corby; Coppid Beech Hotel – Bracknell; Ritzy – Guildford; Henley’s Nightclub – Henley on Thames; Cinderella’s – Kingston-upon-Thames, London; Broadway Boulevard – Ealing, London; Moat House Hotel - Reading; The Mill – Reading; Moat House Hotel - Wilmslow; Equivino (Peruvia) – Wilmslow; The Mirage – Standish, (near Wigan); Loaf – Manchester; Old Monk – Manchester; The Academy – Manchester; The Rectory – Wilmslow, as well as at Le Central nightclub in Paris, France.

Close Protection & Training

I do not currently have a SIA CP licence, but pre-SIA, I attended a six-week close protection course with the Worldwide Federation of Bodyguards (at the time, one of the biggest international organisations of its kind). This led to various international close protection operations with Fortune 500 companies including Exide Technologies and Dow Chemicals, and for The Olive Group in Moscow, Russia, where I lived for a year. I also help set up WFB international close protection training courses in Iceland, Sweden, Russia and Wales; training hundreds of delegates from a variety of occupations and backgrounds including the armed Forces, Police and Prison Services and the private security sector.

Security Support

I still provide occasional security support services on a self-employed basis, to service providers in England requiring extra SIA DS licenced personal extensively trained in mental health. Ideal for special events, venues, functions etc., where an extra wellbeing service and crisis management is required.


Certifications & Qualifications

  • Security Industry Authority (SIA) DS Licence (expires Aug 2027).
  • DBS (criminal record) checked: 2019 & 2024.
  • MIND - Suicide Responder course.
  • MHFA England - Mental Health Awareness - Norfolk & Waveney MIND.
  • MHFA England - Mental Health First Aid - Norfolk & Waveney MIND.
  • The British Red Cross - Mental Health for First Aid
  • First Aid for Mental Health (a Level 3 course, 150 hours CPD certified, Ofqual)
  • Counselling Skills Diploma (a Level 3 course, 150 hours CPD certified, Ofqual)
  • The British Red Cross - Emergency First Aid at Work.
  • acas - Bullying and Harassment, Conflict Resolution, Disability Discrimination, Equality and Diversity.


  • Member - Association of Mental Health First Aiders
  • Forthcoming: Grief & Bereavement Counselling (a Level 3 course, 150 hours CPD certified, Ofqual)