FORMER SAS commander John Holmes has joined the Ashford-based Inkerman Group, which specialises in personal security.

Major General Holmes commanded 22 SAS and was director special forces (DSF) with the rank of brigadier.

His last appointment before early retirement was General Officer Commanding 4 Division, where he was responsible for infrastructure support to 26,000 troops and 470 units.

He becomes Inkerman's operations director and will be involved with the company's unique Travel Safe programme and other related security and risk-based services.

Chairman of the Inkerman Group, Sir John Walker, a former Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), welcomed the appointment. He said it was the first time that a former CDI and former DSF had come together in one company.

It gave both a strong intelligence-led capability backed up by an equally impressive proven operational ability that would benefit Inkerman's clients.