Crisis Management and Negotiation
There are few crises more complex — or more human — than kidnap
Drawing on over 20 years of frontline negotiation experience in both criminal and terrorist kidnaps, I’ve taught these principles to covert law enforcement specialists and the top global FTSE 500 corporations around the world. This workshop distils that expertise into practical programme designed to equip organisations with the mindset, structure, and skills to respond effectively when the unthinkable happens.
Length
1 Day
Sessions
1 Session
Delivery
In Person
Why choose Crisis Management and Negotiation with Dr Matt Todd?
Matt’s credibility is grounded in over 20 years of navigating the most complex human crises imaginable, including international kidnaps involving criminal and terrorist organizations. This isn’t a course based purely on theory or business simulations; it is a distillation of real-world experience, battle-tested in scenarios where lives are literally at stake. Having trained covert law enforcement specialists and C-suite executives alike, Matt uniquely translates these elite, high-pressure communication principles into a practical, structured program you can trust when your organization faces its own unthinkable challenges.
Who is this course for?
✔ Corporate Security Directors & Managers
Professionals responsible for preventative security measures, risk assessment, threat analysis, and developing robust negotiation/family management strategies.
✔ Human Resources (HR) Directors/Managers:
Key individuals involved in managing internal communications, employee welfare, and personnel issues related to a crisis, as well as advising senior management.
✔ Personnel in High-Risk/International Industries:
Employees in sectors like energy, diplomacy, aid work, or journalism who may face a higher likelihood of kidnap scenarios in their roles
✔ Risk Management & Business Continuity Professionals:
Those who develop and implement robust plans to ensure organizational resilience and uphold integrity through demanding scenarios.
✔ In-house Legal Counsel:
Advisors who need to manage legal exposure and liability throughout the crisis management and post-incident recovery phases.
How you will be coached
A Complete Learning Journey
Starting from first principles, participants are guided step-by-step through every stage of a kidnap incident — from the initial abduction through to safe resolution and post-incident recovery. No assumptions are made; every element is explained, tested, and applied to real-world contexts, ensuring confidence and capability at every stage.
What’s Included
Strategic Preparation and Response
Attendees learn how to build and lead a structured crisis response team, identify and train communicators, and develop robust negotiation and family management strategies. The workshop explores the vital role of elite-level listening — understanding not just what is said, but what is meant — as the cornerstone of successful kidnap communication.
After the course:
From the management of communication and financial strategies to the role of intermediaries and post-incident welfare, this workshop will provide participants with confidence in expectations through the full operational cycle of a kidnap event. You’ll leave with a clear, actionable understanding of how to protect people, manage information, and uphold organisational integrity through the most demanding of crises.
Get in touch with Dr Matt Todd
Contact Dr Matt Todd to discuss your needs, ask questions, or see how a tailored Crisis Management and Negotiation session could work for you or your team