Phoenix Group

Stay away at all costs! Refunds are not repaid. At the start of everything, they are very welcoming and informative. I was very happy to be booked in for the course in August 2025 and to make a drastic change to my life in hopes of being able to financially look after my family and protect them. But life led in a different direction. I sustained injuries in my current job and was expected to be a father in August 2025, so I contacted Phoenix explaining all the current situations and sadly told them I couldn't attend. At the start of 2025, in February, I finally received an email stating that they would refund me £3000 after 15 working days, which up till now has never happened. I called the office and was just passed around endlessly, getting no further in finding out why they wouldn't repay me. No one had any idea and only said, "this is not my job," and to contact payments, which never helped. After countless emails, I asked for payment and a phone number for payments. Apparently, it doesn't exist. I continued to contact everyone at the office, even tried a different office, and was instantly diverted back to Birmingham HQ. I messaged Tom up to the point where he also said to contact payment again and followed with he will no longer be replying to me. After this point, I was led to contact DCBL debt recovery, which was very helpful and highly recommended. They got to the point where Phoenix agreed to pay me my refund of £3000, then for some reason didn't. So now we have had to escalate it to county court via DCB legal. Even after winning the court case and them receiving a court order to repay me, they still haven't. It seems like they've done this to other people before and know how to get around not repaying clients. Sure, the training might be good from what you might have read on Trustpilot, etc., but I can tell you now, if something unfortunate happens where you can't make the training, you will not receive a refund. They will break their own terms and conditions countless times, and their complaints department is also unacceptable. They also do not stand up to their own terms, as I was informed I'd receive a reply within a week, which never happened. Do not fall for their scam! I hope this helps all who are thinking of joining this course.

I completed close protection training with Phoenix when I was around 24, that was 6 years ago with hindsight and experience and that perspective matters. Let’s be clear about one thing first: the training itself was genuinely excellent. The instructors were professional, capable, and knew their craft. I don’t blame the trainers at all; they delivered what they were paid to deliver. The problem is everything around the training. From the outset, the course was sold under misleading promises. A key figure in the admin/sales side Tom was extremely persuasive. He has a silver tongue, and when you’re young, ambitious, and desperate to break into the industry, that matters. I specifically raised concerns that close protection work overwhelmingly goes to ex-military or ex-police candidates. I was told this was “nonsense” and that determination mattered more than background. That simply isn’t true. In reality, the close protection industry heavily favours ex-military and ex-police personnel. If you don’t have that background, your chances of getting work connections included are extremely slim, regardless of how well you perform on the course or how many years of standard security experience you have. Ten years in security means little compared to a military résumé, and that reality is not communicated honestly upfront. What makes this worse is that Phoenix clearly accepts candidates who struggle with the compressed learning, even when those difficulties are disclosed in advance. Why? Because once you’ve paid the fee, the incentive disappears. The admin side feels driven by sales, not suitability or long-term outcomes. Compressing what should be a month-long course into two weeks, charging a premium price, and then implying that “anyone can do close protection” is misleading at best. This course should be longer, cheaper because these a high chance you won't make you're money back, and most importantly honest about employment prospects. Not everyone can walk into close protection work. Not everyone will get jobs. And pretending otherwise does real harm to people who invest time, money, and hope into the promise. In short: • Training quality: Questionable • Trainers: Professional and solid • Admin/sales honesty: Deeply lacking • Job reality portrayal: Misleading

I have done my Close Protection training at Phoenix Security, from the knowledge and practical education and some skills I've learnt from Phoenix Instructors is really good. I have asked Phoenix management generally Close Protection jobs are given to Ex-servicemen or Ex-Police officers, they said, "No, don't believe in that", Once I've finished my training and receiving my SIA CP Licence I've struggled to get Close Protection Work and CP job vacancies are demanding CP work with ex military or Police background. The hand to hand combat is not the best, having knowledge in martial arts myself, I can say their 1 sessions are road roid language, The instructors have the show off and arrogance qualities, I know the names of them but do not want to mention their name to cause embarrassment, I did not feel that they empowered all CP candidates. Except for Kash the Flash who is very humble, nice and interactive. I would say don't give into the Phoenix advertising video,its all a big brovado and dream selling tactics to lure to train with them, once you have completed your training and receiving your SIA Close Protection Licence, you will struggle to get work, unless you have a background in Military or Police.

I had a wonderful experience completing the courses in Phoenix. I'd be happy to leave the most positive review possible. All the instructors were top-notch, and you can feel the experience and professionalism of the people teaching you. Everything was short and to the point, and if you have some experience in this field, this course really helps you form a clear understanding of your future career. You feel both the pressure and the support from the instructors, who are truly on your side, not against you, and strive to maximise your potential. After completing the courses, no one forgets about you and continues to support you in everything you need to complete, supporting you until you receive your license. Overall, the course was a wonderful experience, with very interesting challenges and additional training courses such as shooting, driving, and combat training. I'd also like to highlight the practical portion, which helps you understand the specifics of working in real-world conditions. So, a huge thank to Phoenix for a wonderful course, and, crucially, for the perfect balance between difficulty and fun. The courses are structured in such a way that there's no boring, gray routine...

Company is registered as zenith operatives limited and has appeared to be being struck off. Do not do business with this company. Paid for a top up course back in December, of which they cancelled. I have sent several emails, and numerous calls to Tom Russell and every time promises me a refund yet I never get one. Legals will be starting next week. This company cannot be trusted. I’m a former paratrooper and SFSG soldier and have been a bodyguard for 15 years. I found this company misleading. They advertise a dream of body guarding high profile clientele, the truth of it is ex forces and police dominate the CP circuit. Do a course run by ex military special forces for a better foot in the door. Update: legals can’t start as the company is being struck off. I’ve been offered a refund now if I remove my reviews and I’ve agreed once my refund has been issued. Other people have also experienced the same and have contacted me. Update: legals can now start as strike off on companies house has been dis continued. All they have to do is give me my refund as promised.