Salama Fikira

What Salama Fikira does

Salama Fikira International Ltd, trading as SF Group, is a Nottingham-headquartered risk management and security services firm founded in 2005. The company delivers tailored protective, maritime, consultancy, training, and cybersecurity services to internationally recognised names in commerce, industry, and government, operating across five continents from regional HQs in the UK (EMENA), Kenya (Sub-Saharan Africa), Colombia (Americas), Indonesia (APAC), and Australia (Oceania). Its maritime security line — covering armed anti-piracy, ship protection, and offshore energy protection in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Guinea, and South-East Asia — has been a core offering since 2008.

The firm's service portfolio spans six lines: Security Services (protective, infrastructure, event security supported by PADS, a proprietary geo-fenced social-media monitoring algorithm), Maritime Services, Consultancy (crisis management, investigations, embedded security management), the SF BREATHE intelligence platform (visual incident database, GIS-based heat mapping, socio-political analysis, SOS), the Afrika Knowledge Academy for accredited training (HEAT, first aid, defensive driving), and Tandao Cyber for cybersecurity assessments. A separate Saltus unit handles environmental protection initiatives. The technology stack combines human intelligence and local expertise with proprietary analytics rather than foundation-model AI.

SF Group monetises primarily through professional services on a quote-based, multi-year enterprise contract model, with a recurring subscription element added via SF BREATHE. Customer segments include shipping and energy industries, government, NGOs (Mercy Corps), and multinationals (Cisco). The firm holds a dense stack of international certifications (ISO 9001, 28000, 45001, 18788, ANSI/ASIS PSC-1, MSS 2024, Cyber Essentials) and is an ICoCA member and UN Global Compact signatory, which functions as a regulatory moat for high-barrier tenders. Leadership comprises founder Conrad Thorpe (CEO) and Crispin Kennedy (COO), and the company is privately held with no disclosed parent, institutional investors, or funding rounds.

Name

Salama Fikira

Legal name

Salama Fikira International Ltd

Website

https://sf-group.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Salama Fikira (SF Group) is a UK-headquartered risk management and security firm founded in 2005, delivering protective, maritime anti-piracy, consultancy, intelligence-platform, training, and cybersecurity services to enterprises, governments, NGOs, and shipping/energy clients across five continents via five regional HQs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Security and Risk Management Services

NAICS

Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Vessel Security Services (Onboard Guards, Anti-Piracy) (BPAKALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Security Technology & Surveillance Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Intrusion) (TLAHANAC), Port Facility Security (ISPS Compliance, PFSP Development) (BPAKALAA), Incident Response & Emergency Management for Ports (Threat Response, Evacuation, Coordination) (BPAKALAJ)

Keywords

• Corporate security services
• Maritime anti-piracy
• Risk management consulting
• Intelligence platform software
• Security training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Security Services: Professional security services including protective services for high-net-worth individuals, energy and infrastructure protection, and event security. Delivered by vetted, trained and accredited personnel conforming to international best practice.
2. Maritime Security: Comprehensive maritime security and anti-piracy services to shipping and energy industries operating in Indian Ocean, Gulf of Guinea and South-East Asia. Includes armed security, ship protection, and offshore energy protection services.
3. Consultancy Services: Crisis management, investigations, risk assessment, and embedded security management consultancy services. Supporting organizations with skills needed to operate safely, securely and sustainably.
4. SF BREATHE Subscription: Intelligence platform providing tailored, targeted analysis with informed and timely notifications of security incidents. Provides visual incident database and heat mapping analytics for risk mitigation.
5. Training Services (Afrika Knowledge Academy): Internationally accredited training courses including HEAT, security certifications, first aid, health and safety, fire safety, and defensive driving. Delivered at AKA facilities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania or on-site globally.
6. Tandao Cyber Services: Cybersecurity solutions including cyber risk assessments, vulnerability assessments, Microsoft 365 assessments, MFA assessments, backup and disaster recovery reviews, and firewall reviews.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Salama Fikira (SF Group) delivers tailored corporate security, maritime anti-piracy, risk management consultancy and accredited safety/security training to enterprises and government clients operating in complex or high-risk environments. Services are delivered by locally embedded personnel and supported by proprietary intelligence tooling including the SF BREATHE platform and PADS algorithm detection software, with a 24/7 Operations Centre coordinating global response.

Product overview

SF Group operates as a diversified security and risk management company offering an integrated portfolio of services. The core offerings include Security Services (protective, infrastructure, event security with proprietary PADS software), Maritime Services (anti-piracy, offshore energy protection), Consultancy Services (crisis management, investigations, risk assessment), and SF BREATHE (intelligence monitoring platform). Training is delivered through Afrika Knowledge Academy (AKA) providing accredited courses across Africa. Tandao Cyber provides cybersecurity assessments. Saltus handles environmental protection initiatives. The company operates from regional headquarters across Americas, APAC, EMENA, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Oceania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tandao Cyber: Cybersecurity solutions including cyber risk assessment, external vulnerability assessment, Microsoft 365 assessment, MFA assessment, backup and disaster recovery review, secure edge and remote worker security review, and firewall review.
• SF BREATHE
• Afrika Knowledge Academy (AKA)

Products and services

• Security Services Comprehensive protective services for high-net-worth individuals, energy and infrastructure security, event security, and layered corporate security solutions for organisations and individuals operating in complex environments, delivered by vetted, trained and internationally accredited personnel.
• Maritime Services Maritime security and anti-piracy services to the shipping and energy industries operating in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Guinea and South-East Asia, including armed ship protection, offshore energy protection, maritime training and consultancy.
• Consultancy Services Crisis management, investigations, risk assessment and embedded security management consultancy services designed to equip organisations with the skills needed to operate safely, securely and sustainably in challenging environments.
• SF BREATHE Subscription-based online security intelligence platform providing tailored, targeted analysis and timely notifications of security incidents, with a visual incident database, intelligent heat mapping, socio-political analysis, intelligence reports, alerts, tracking, privacy controls and an SOS function for at-risk personnel.
• Afrika Knowledge Academy (AKA) Training Internationally accredited training provider delivering HEAT, security certifications, first aid, health and safety, fire safety and defensive driving courses at facilities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania or on-site globally, including e-learning courses.
• Tandao Cyber Cybersecurity solutions including cyber risk assessments, external vulnerability assessments, Microsoft 365 audits, MFA assessments, backup and disaster recovery reviews, secure edge and remote worker security reviews, and firewall reviews, delivered with remote Q&A, results review and in-person tabletop exercises.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully suppressed pirates in high-risk waters off Somalia since 2008
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tsavo TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partnership with Tsavo Trust in Kenya focused on African wildlife protection. The company founder and Chairman has a deep passion for African wildlife, underpinning his support of the Tsavo Trust and training of game rangers in places like DRC.
• Terry SeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon offset partnership where SF Group aims to offset carbon overheads via Terry Seeds environmental initiatives.
• SaltuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate business unit established by SF Group focusing on environmental protection initiatives.
• Long-standing Driver Training PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with long-standing partners to deliver high quality driver training to meet the needs of any operating environment. All instructors are internationally certified.
• Libero AssuranceminorOthersCertification body providing MSS 2024 Certification for SF Group.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Control Risks: Global risk consultancy and private security firm providing maritime security, protective services, crisis management, and intelligence to multinationals and governments — directly comparable to SF Group's maritime, security, and consultancy lines.
• Protection Vessels International (PVI): Specialist maritime security provider offering embarked armed guards and vessel protection in high-risk waters — a direct competitor to SF Group's anti-piracy and ship protection services in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Guinea.
• Hart Group: UK-based private security and risk management firm providing protective services, maritime security, and training to commercial and government clients — closely comparable to SF Group in scale, geography, and service mix.
• Trident Group: Privately-held security and risk management group offering maritime security, protective services, and intelligence to clients in high-risk regions — directly comparable to SF Group's core maritime and protective offerings.
• MAST (Maritime Asset Security & Training): Maritime-focused security provider offering armed guards, vessel protection, and training in high-risk waters — a direct peer to SF Group's maritime services business.
• Olive Group (now Constellis): Risk management and security services firm with strong presence in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, providing protective services, maritime security, and training — comparable to SF Group's geographic and service profile.

Broad incumbents

• GardaWorld (including Drum Cussac and Crisis24): Large global security services platform covering physical security, cash solutions, and risk consulting; offers maritime and crisis response lines that overlap with SF Group's portfolio, though GardaWorld is significantly larger and broader.
• Allied Universal: One of the largest global security services companies, providing manned guarding, electronic security, and risk consulting to enterprise clients — a broader incumbent competing for the same multinational security RFPs as SF Group.

Emerging players

• S-RM (S-RM Intelligence and Risk Consulting): Specialist intelligence-led risk consultancy providing corporate intelligence, cyber, and crisis response — overlaps with SF Group's consultancy and SF BREATHE intelligence offerings for enterprise clients.
• GeoPoll: Data and intelligence platform operating in Africa and emerging markets, providing real-time risk, security, and socio-political data — adjacent to SF BREATHE's intelligence and heat-mapping capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SalamaFikira

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Salama Fikira