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Private Investigators in the UK

Expertise

At The Cotswold Group, we pride ourselves on our extensive range of experience and industry knowledge.

Our designated teams operate within their specific area of expertise which includes Fraud, Intelligence, Surveillance and Liability Investigation. All operational areas are supported by our centrally based administration and case management team, giving us the infrastructure to provide an end to end investigation service and solution. By bringing together this range of experience, we can deliver an efficient and pro-active strategy on each instruction, tailoring our approach dependent upon each set of circumstances.

Matthew Cantle

Matthew CantleManaging Director

Matthew was appointed as Managing Director of The Cotswold Group on 1 July 2014. Since joining us in 2010 he has held the position of Operations Director and more recently successfully led the Business Development area, implementing a number of strategic change projects.

Matthew has overseen the transition from small privately owned company (The Cotswold Group) , through to becoming integrated in a PLC and has also managed the TUPE working arrangements of 80 staff transferring from Aviva in 2012.

With extensive insurance industry experience, Matthew began his career with Endsleigh and Prudential. Before joining us Matthew worked for Aviva where he held a number of positions including Head of Motor Recoveries.

Originally from Bath, Matthew graduated from Exeter University in 1995 with a BSc in Economics.

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Andrew Cocks

Andrew Cocks Finance and Human Resources Director

Andrew has 20 years’ experience of strategic management gained both in the security services sectors and wider commerce.

Andrew qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Grant Thornton. In 1990 he joined Group 4’s international headquarters where he was the financial lead on business development projects including corporate acquisitions and contract bidding in both corporate and government sectors.

Prior to joining The Cotswold Group, Andrew served for eleven years as Group Finance Director and Group Managing Director, leading the strategic direction of a number of independent businesses operating in sectors as diverse as commodity trading, retail and manufacturing.

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Stephen Cantello

Stephen CantelloOperations Director

Stephen Cantello joined The Cotswold Group in 2007 from a successful career in the police force, where he attained the rank of Detective Sergeant. Stephen has extensive management and leadership experience and has worked as our Head of Fraud Investigations and now holds the role of Operations Director.

Wes Gass

Wes GassHead of Liability Investigations

Wes worked in the Claims area for Aviva and its various legacy organisations for 26 years and has been involved in various Management roles. Wes successfully ensured the smooth TUPE transfer of an entire Claims Investigation function to The Cotswold Group in January 2012. He now heads up our Liability Claims Investigation area as a whole and manages our claims investigation strategy.

Christopher GloyneHead of Surveillance

Chris joined Avon and Somerset Police in 1986 and served for 17 years as a drugs intelligence officer, a Detective within the Drug Squad, Force Surveillance Team and C.I.D.

He has vast experience in criminal investigation, the planning and implementation of surveillance operations and the presentation of evidence. He joined The Cotswold Group in 2009 as a Surveillance Case Manager and used his experience to good effect in the management of covert surveillance operations. In 2012 Chris was promoted to the position of Team Leader, then to Operations Manager and more recently promoted to Head of Surveillance. Chris is responsible for our field force of Surveillance Operatives as well as our dedicated surveillance Case Management, Research and Editing Team. 

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Alan Markley

Alan MarkleyHead of Technical

Alan joined The Cotswold Group in January 2012 having worked in the defendant investigation arena for the past 35 years as Claims Handler, Investigator, Regional Manager, and National Technical Manager.

His wide experience and knowledge includes the investigation/negotiation and handling of all types of claims including the most complex, sensitive and high value personal injury EL/PL, disease, motor liability and fraud and theft claims.

Before joining the company he was responsible for the training, development and technical management of a national team of Claims Investigators and has written and delivered training courses on a wide range of subjects for Claims Investigators, Claims Handlers and Corporate Clients.

As Head of Technical, he is responsible for ensuring the technical competence of our staff through training and development leading to the ultimate quality and professionalism of the product we deliver to our clients.

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Grant Ferguson

Grant FergusonSenior Client Relationship Manager

Grant joined The Cotswold Group in 2007 as a Client Relationship Manager, and is well positioned to understand insurer client demands and expectations. Grant now manages our Client Relationship Team.

Grant started his career in 1977 when he joined Trident Insurance in Gloucester where he handled all aspects of Machinery and Construction Claims. After seven years’ service he sought pastures new and joined Ecclesiastical Insurance again in Gloucester as a property claims handler. In total he spent 23 years at Ecclesiastical, where he fulfilled a number of supervisory roles within the claims department, including managing Household, Church, Commercial and Motor Teams. His last role was Business Relationship Manager, where he was responsible for the entire claims supply chain. Grant was a member of the Senior Management Team and was involved in a number of strategic projects.

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