What UXO Specialist LTD. does

UXO Specialist LTD. is a UK-based private professional services firm providing unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk mitigation across land-based and marine environments, headquartered in Malltraeth on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. Founded by Mark Elson — a former Royal Navy Clearance Diver and IMAS EOD Level 3 operator with over 17 years of specialist experience — the firm serves construction companies, civil engineering contractors, infrastructure developers, and maritime operators undertaking intrusive ground works, piling, dredging, marine excavation, and similar projects where historical WWII-era British, American, or German ordnance may be encountered. The firm describes itself as 'recognised market leaders' in the identification, classification, and risk assessment of historic UK ordnance, and aligns all works with CIRIA industry guidance, CDM 2015 regulations, HSE-recognised safe systems of work, and ALARP principles.

The service portfolio is organised around three integrated pillars: Remote Services (UXO Safety & Awareness Films, UXO Overwatch, and Target Identification Reports); On-Site Support (Safety & Awareness Training, Ground Investigation Support, Watching Brief, and Search and Clear); and Survey Services (Non-Intrusive Surveys using manual walkover, vehicle-mounted, or drone-based magnetometer systems, plus Intrusive Surveys using down-hole magnetometer procedures at depths beyond 3–4 metres). The firm also offers UXO Disposal, Marine UXO Overwatch, Client Representation, and UXO Diving Services in nil-visibility and black-water conditions. A proprietary secure client-specific online portal, designed by CTO Philip Elson, delivers site-specific safety films, site safety instructions, and on-call specialist access with a guaranteed five-minute response, and is used as a remote service-delivery and client-engagement mechanism.

UXO Specialist LTD. is founder-owned and appears bootstrapped, with no disclosed external investment or PE/VC backing and a team size of 1–10 employees. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales via the company website and industry channels, with no resellers, distributors, or third-party sales channels. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to project scope with no public pricing. The firm is licensed to transport and handle Class 1 explosives under ADR requirements and the Explosives Regulations 2014, and holds CHAS accreditation and SIPP Scheme membership. All activity is concentrated in the United Kingdom.

Name

UXO Specialist LTD.

Legal name

The UXO Specialist LTD.

Website

https://uxospecialist.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UXO Specialist LTD. is a UK-based private firm providing unexploded ordnance risk mitigation across land and marine environments to construction, infrastructure, and maritime clients, combining ex-military specialist expertise with a proprietary remote overwatch portal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Underwater/Port Infrastructure Security (Dive Teams, Hull & Pier Inspections) (BPAKALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Underwater Inspection, Maintenance & Repair (UWILD, Diving/ROV, In-water Cleaning) (IMAJAFAJ), Offshore Marine & Aviation Support (PSVs, AHTS, Crew Boats, Helicopters) (EUALABAJ)

Keywords

• UXO risk mitigation
• Unexploded ordnance services
• Magnetometry surveys
• Marine UXO diving
• Explosive ordnance disposal

Headquarters

HQ city

Wales

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. UXO Risk Mitigation Services: Professional services revenue derived from a portfolio of advisory, consultancy, and fieldwork services including UXO Safety & Awareness Training, Ground Investigation Support, Watching Brief, Search and Clear, Target Identification Reports, Non-Intrusive and Intrusive UXO Surveys, UXO Disposal, Marine Overwatch, UXO Diving operations, and Client Representation. Services are tailored to project scope and risk profile, delivered by qualified ex-military and civilian explosive ordnance professionals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

UXO Specialist LTD. provides unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk mitigation services across land-based and marine environments in the UK. The portfolio covers remote services (UXO Safety & Awareness Films, UXO Overwatch, Target Identification Reports), on-site support (Safety Training, Ground Investigation Support, Watching Brief, Search and Clear), non-intrusive and intrusive magnetometry surveys, UXO Disposal, Marine Overwatch, Client Representation, and UXO Diving. Services are delivered by qualified ex-military and civilian explosive ordnance professionals and accessed through a secure client-specific online portal.

Product overview

UXO Specialist LTD. offers a unified suite of UXO risk mitigation services rather than a software platform. The portfolio comprises three integrated service pillars: Remote Services (UXO Safety & Awareness Films, UXO Overwatch, and Target Identification Reports), On-Site Support (Safety Training, Ground Investigation Support, Watching Brief, and Search and Clear), and Survey Services (Non-Intrusive Surveys using magnetometry including drone-based systems, and Intrusive Surveys for deeper detection). Additional offerings include UXO Disposal, Marine UXO Overwatch, Client Representation, and UXO Diving Services. The services are delivered through a secure client-specific online portal and are aligned with CIRIA industry guidelines and CDM 2015 regulations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UXO Safety & Awareness Films Bespoke site-specific UXO Safety & Awareness Films that use a blend of original WWII archive footage, contemporary visuals, and clear narration to explain UXO risks across the UK, types of munitions, safe working practices, and actions to take if a suspicious item is found. Provides a modern alternative to in-person UXO briefings for construction and infrastructure clients.
• UXO Overwatch Remote UXO risk mitigation service combining site-specific UXO Safety & Awareness Films and Site Safety Instructions with instant access to a retained on-call UXO Specialist guaranteed to respond within five minutes. Delivered via a secure, client-specific online portal accessible through a link or QR codes displayed on site, suited to brownfield or heavily contaminated sites where on-site UXO presence is impractical.
• Target Identification Reports Detailed dynamic risk assessment reports for suspicious items potentially UXO-related, determining whether items are hazardous, assessing risk levels, and specifying appropriate control measures and procedures in accordance with ALARP principles and current UXO risk mitigation guidance.
• UXO Safety and Awareness Training Training for construction personnel covering the history of the local area, types of ordnance likely to be encountered, associated insurance and legal considerations, and correct procedures to follow if a suspect item is discovered. Includes hands-on training using inert examples from a reference collection, including German aerial bombs and British land service ammunition.
• Ground Investigation Support Reactive UXO risk mitigation and technical assistance during intrusive activities such as piling, drilling, and trial pitting. Includes surface clearance using industry-recognised magnetometers and down-hole magnetometer procedures for ground investigation locations extending beyond 2-3 metres in depth, with on-demand technical advice to support safe site operations.
• Watching Brief Supervision of all open excavations to UXO risk depth and investigation of suspected items by a qualified UXO Specialist, ensuring excavations are conducted safely and in a controlled manner whilst minimising disruption if UXO is uncovered. Targeted at clients undertaking site investigation, excavations, or general groundworks in known UXO risk areas.
• Search and Clear Manual Search & Clear operation using handheld UXO detection equipment providing real-time detection of UXO. Recommended for clearance of small parcels of greenfield land where non-intrusive surveys are not viable or cost-effective, or areas with high UXO contamination.
• Non-Intrusive Surveys Shallow-buried UXO risk assessment using manual walkover, vehicle-mounted, or aerial (drone-based) magnetometer systems, with technique selected based on site conditions, access, and risk. In suitable ground conditions, capable of detecting a buried 50 kg German aerial bomb at depths of up to approximately 3 metres below ground level.
• Intrusive Surveys UXO survey for deeper-buried ordnance using intrusive magnetometer techniques for detection beyond 3-4 metres below ground level, suitable for complex or brownfield sites. Effective in areas with high levels of surface ferrous contamination where conventional survey techniques are limited.
• UXO Disposal Identification, classification, and risk assessment of historic ordnance with licensed transport and handling of Class 1 explosives in full compliance with ADR requirements and the Explosives Regulations 2014. Includes off-site removal and low-order disposal methods, with coordination directly with Police and Military EOD units for high-risk items.
• Marine UXO Overwatch UXO consultation service supporting dredging and marine excavation activities across offshore, nearshore, and inshore environments, including ports, harbours, rivers, and coastal projects.
• Client Representation Technical authority and independent advisory services overseeing UXO contractors, reviewing and approving RAMS, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting planning and execution of UXO target investigation works.
• UXO Diving and Marine Services UXO diving operations delivered by former Royal Navy Clearance Divers in challenging environments including black water and low-visibility conditions, providing accurate identification and threat assessment for safe disposal activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• UXO Overwatch provides guaranteed specialist response within five minutes
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AtkinsRéalis (UXO services): AtkinsRéalis delivers UXO risk assessments, surveys, and support as part of its infrastructure and defence services in the UK, providing similar capabilities through a much larger parent organisation with broader client reach.
• Mott MacDonald (EOD/UXO services): Mott MacDonald is a large global engineering consultancy that provides UXO risk assessment and mitigation as part of its broader infrastructure design and project management portfolio, competing for the same large UK construction clients as UXO Specialist but at much greater scale.
• AECOM (Environment and UXO services): AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm offering UXO desktop studies, surveys, and risk management within its wider environmental and engineering practice, representing a broad incumbent that competes on integrated programme work.

Direct peers

• BACTEC International: BACTEC is one of the largest dedicated UXO risk mitigation and survey companies in the UK, offering land and marine UXO services including non-intrusive surveys, intrusive surveys, and disposal, directly competing with UXO Specialist across both segments.
• 1st Line Defence: 1st Line Defence is a UK-based UXO risk management specialist delivering detailed desk studies, non-intrusive and intrusive surveys, and on-site support for construction clients, making it a direct head-to-head competitor to UXO Specialist in the British market.
• Ramora UK: Ramora provides UXO survey, clearance, and disposal services across the UK, with strong marine UXO capability, making it a directly comparable peer on both land-based and marine diving engagements.
• SafeLane Global: SafeLane Global provides land and marine UXO survey, clearance, and consultancy services across the UK and overseas, directly competing with UXO Specialist on construction, infrastructure, and dredging projects.
• Wessex Archaeology: Wessex Archaeology operates a substantial marine and land-based UXO and ordnance service line alongside its archaeological work, including marine diving surveys in coastal and offshore environments, making it a key direct competitor especially on marine UXO diving projects.

Emerging players

• Subsea Tech (marine survey specialist): Subsea Tech specialises in marine and subsea inspection using ROVs and divers, with overlap to UXO Specialist's underwater diving operations on nearshore and port infrastructure projects.
• Ordtek: Ordtek provides UXO risk mitigation, land and marine surveys, and consultancy services with a focus on technical innovation, making it an emerging peer with partial overlap to UXO Specialist's service mix, particularly on survey-led engagements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uxo-specialist-ltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 UXO Specialist LTD.