UMBRA ADVISORY
Did you know…?
Andrew is the Vinothécaire of the Commanderie de Bordeaux (Suisse Romande), creating themed tastings to promote and celebrate the culinary traditions surrounding Bordeaux wine.
Andrew Bayles
UMBRA Advisor
Background
Andrew is a qualified solicitor and acts as a Director and General Counsel for SwissIndependent Trustees SA, a leading independent trust company based in Geneva. SwissIndependent Trustees SA provides Trustee and corporate services to families on a global basis.
Colonel Lucy Giles
UMBRA Advisor
Background
Colonel Lucy Giles is an officer of the British Army, and was the first female College Commander at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Lucy has been in the British Army for 30 years, and has served on operations in Sierra Leone, East Timor, Bosnia, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. She currently serves as a Divisional Director on the Army’s Staff Course, having been the President Army Officer Selection Board for three years.
Lucy completed her GCSEs at King Arthur’s School, Wincanton and her A levels at Sexey’s School, Bruton. She then studied biology at the University of Exeter, where she also received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2017.
She is delighted to be an Honorary Colonel at Exeter University Officer Training Corps and is a member of the Governing Body for Women in Defence, a military ambassador for Walking with the Wounded, an ambassador for Girl Guiding and a Director of the Foundation of Leadership through Sport.
Did you know…?
Lucy loves orienteering, and so found herself in Morrocco during October 2021, where she successfully completed the 35th Marathon des Sables. She covered a sandy 250km in just six days!
Did you know…?
Helena grew up in a small Australian town called Winkie – a small region in the Riverland, two and half hours north east of Adelaide, made up of mostly vineyards, orange and apricot orchards.
Helena Khizam
UMBRA Advisor
Background
Helena is a strategic growth advisor and private equity operating partner who has been instrumental in developing UMBRA’s Secure Lifestyle® methodology. She has helped shape the firm’s collaborative ‘Pitstop’ model — a pan-advisory approach to risk management that integrates physical, digital, reputational, and emotional security.
With deep experience in capital markets, international business, and scaling founder-led ventures, Helena brings a global perspective and commercial acumen to UMBRA’s advisory platform. She works closely with Team UMBRA to shape their services to work in alignment with a trusted network of advisors, helping internationally mobile families and Principals navigate complexity with confidence and discretion.
Did you know…?
Barry is a lifelong water sports enthusiast and co owns a Surf School in Fuerteventura and represented Great Britain in Sailing.
Barry Roche
UMBRA Advisor
Background
Over the last 20 years Barry has started and built businesses across a broad range of sectors from, Support Services, Armed Maritime Security, Corporate Intelligence, Cyber Security and the Legal Sector.
This eclectic mix of experiences has developed a unique approach to people and business. His companies have been featured in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 on three occasions and he has been listed twice in the Lloyds List Top 100 most influential people in shipping.
Barry started his career in the Royal Marines giving him a first-hand insight into high performance culture, physical and mental resilience, and the importance of a sense of humour.
A lifelong obsession with human performance has led to collaborations with leading Academics and Doctors, as well as Government, Military and Intelligence Agencies across the world.
Barry Founded RSG Consulting to combine his commercial experience, with a range of world class performance experts, to create a truly integrated approach to helping business leaders and their business reach their potential.
Lady Edwina Grosvenor
UMBRA Advisor
Background
Lady Edwina Grosvenor is a criminologist and prison philanthropist dedicating her career to drive systematic change within the Justice system, drawing on her experience of best and worst models of criminal justice from around the world. This inspired her to be the founding investor and Ambassador of the Clink Restaurant chain, which trains prisoners for work in the catering industry, and to founding and chairing the charity One Small Thing. The charity aims to redesign the justice system for women and their children and has gone on to develop Hope Street, a pioneering purpose-built residential community which is piloting a new approach to working with justice involved women. From within a healing, trauma informed residential environment, women and children have access to a range of specialist support. The aim is to create a blueprint for change that can be replicated across the country to achieve better outcomes, for women, their children and society. Hope Street was opened by HRH The Princess of Wales on 27 June 2023, and won the RIBA MacEwen Award 2024, where Hope Street was described as ‘Architecture that is healing people’. Having studied Criminology and Sociology at Northumbria University, Lady Edwina achieved a distinction in her master’s degree in Criminology and Crime Scene Management at Solent University in August 2021. She sits on the advisory board to the Centre for Criminology in the Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford. In January 2024 she joined Global Philanthropic as the first Chair of their Advisory Board, which pulls together philanthropists from across the world. Edwina was the 2022/23 High Sherriff of Hampshire. Edwina is the sole funder of the critically needed PAS 5222, a new child safeguarding BSI standard launching in March 2024. The standard aims to raise the benchmark for child safeguarding in out-of-school settings. In 2023 she was presented with the International Corrections and Prisons Association (www.icpa.org) Presidents Award in Antwerp.
Did you know…?
Edwina used to have a flat in Kathmandu and speaks pidgin Nepali!
Did you know…?
Chris has appeared alongside Idris Elba and Gemma Arterton in a 2016 film….
Chris Ball
UMBRA Advisor
Background
Chris commenced his career at NatWest and has spent the majority of his career in banking and wealth management. A career spanning some 40+ years with the likes of Citibank, Coutts and Barclays Wealth, attaining fellowship status at the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.
During his career he has supported entrepreneurs, sports and media-based clients in providing solutions for all aspects of their financial lives. Passionate about building strong relationships and always looking for ways to bring additional value to his clients by way of introductions and opportunities.
Has worked with School of Hard Knocks charity for the last 10 years supporting fund raising and mentoring participants in their programmes.
Away from work Chris loves to travel and is an avid sports fan and whilst mainly watching these days he plays golf badly!
Amani Boros
UMBRA Advisor
Background
Amani is the founder & CEO of Amatte, a British premium company inspired by Africa. Amatte launched its first brand, Amatte Coffee, a sustainable coffee company, and introduced five award-winning coffees that celebrate Africa’s rich culture and history of storytelling. The brand partners directly with small-lot, female farmers to ethically source the finest coffees.
Until April 2021, Amani was the Head of Risk & Control in the Impact Advisory & Finance (IAF) division at Credit Suisse. The division leads the Impact Investing and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy within Credit Suisse Prior to joining Credit Suisse in July 2015, Amani worked in Risk Management at Barclays Investment Bank and the CEO Office at Wells Fargo.
Amani sits on the Amatte Board and Amatte Fund Advisory Committee. At Credit Suisse, Amani worked with the group board, founded and Co-chaired the EMEA Credit Suisse Black, Asian, and Multi Ethnic (BAME) Advisory Committee. She founded the Network with the aim of creating and empowering an environment for professional development for those of BAME background.
Amani holds an LLB Law degree and completed the Legal Practice Course, before moving into Entrepreneurship. She is an active supporter of D&I and often participates in panel discussions and mentoring initiatives across leading institutions in the UK.
Did you know…?
Amani supports two orphanages in Ethiopia and Eritrea that aim to eradicate poverty and provides protection to orphans.
Did you know…?
Sophie went on the TV fitness tournament ‘Ninja Warrior’ in 2017 – getting far in the process!
Sophie Dixon
UMBRA Advisor
Background
Sophie’s determination, drive and passion for exercise was sparked by her time in the British military, as well as during her ten-year career as a close protection operative.
Now as a mother and a successful personal training instructor, Sophie understands how important exercise is, not only for general well-being but for improved mental and physical health. Sophie is a firm believer in practising what you preach as a trainer; she embodies the idea of teamwork, and places emphasis on the relationship that is shared with the client.
Sophie understands how precious time is and knows the importance of training safely and productively, meaning her clients will see quicker results to both their body and fitness levels.