Members Index

WAPI Governing Council & Overseas representatives

Ian D Withers - Chairman - UK/EU Regulation (ISG Representative)

Ian is a Founding Member of WAPI, and has completed 5 Terms of Office as Chairman. A Professional Investigator since 1960, during which time served as a Police Officer. He was appointed as National Security Advisor to the Seychelles Government from 1979 to 1986. Licensed for over 10 years as a PI in Maryland USA where he is a Member of NCISS, USAPI, NALI, LPIA, PIAM & NAPPS. Currently the Chair, of the International Membership Section, of the National Association of Legal Investigators and a Past Assistant Editor for International News with PI Magazine. Ian holds NVQ Level 4 Investigations, and represents WAPI on the ISG - Investigator Sector Group. The CEO of Priority Investigations Group, Ian lives with his Wife Phyl in Northern Ireland.

Stuart Withers – Business Manager/Marketing

Stuart was Treasurer and a founder member of WAPI and is a member of the Chartered Management Institute. Stuart has been a practicing professional Investigator for over 40 years and holds an NVQ Level 4 in Investigation. He is the founder and CEO of Nationwide Investigations Group, Academy of Professional Investigation and Author of the NIG Process Servers Guide, together with being a contributor to the NVQ syllabus in investigation level 3 and 4. Stuart works in Central London and lives with his family in Handcross, West Sussex.

Beverley Flynn – Vice Chairman and Treasurer

Beverley has been directly involved in the Investigation Industry for 25 years. Although by her own admission, she is not an investigator, but a Business Woman, who runs an Investigation Agency. Beverley is also a full member of the ABI; Beverley’s career commenced in Business Management and joined the Investigation Industry with her late Husband Patrick. Beverley attained a BA Honours degree in Business Management in the early 1990’s.
As Managing Director of Insight Investigations (Private Investigators), Head Office in Birmingham, UK, Beverley has been responsible for its growth to a position as a leading well respected International Investigation Agency. During Beverley’s career she has worked tirelessly to raise the profile and reputation of the Investigation Industry. Beverley became the Membership Secretary of WAPI in October 2003 and held the post of Lady Vice-Chairman of the Association from October 2004 to October 2006.

John Frederick Hope – Mentor and Press Officer

John was born in June 1945. Having completed a career in the International Shipping & Road Transport industry, John decided to utilise the skills that he had obtained after 4 years with the Territorial Army, (Parachute Regiment) and formed his first commercial company. In 1977 he became the M D of Globe Investigations. Where he controlled the operations within the shipping & transport area, for insurance clients. From 1978 he operated as an Investigator & Manager, for Nationwide Investigations Group, Birmingham Office. In 1982 he commenced as a sole trader as Mercia Detective Agency. He was appointed to the WAPI GC, as Press Officer. He is also currently a Director of Neptune Security Services. John is also the Emergency Services Coordinator for the Salvation Army. As Mentor John will be available to all WAPI "newer" Members who need advise or guidance. Anything that John cannot answer from his years of experience - he will know where to find the answers!!

Tony Smith - Complaints & Discipline Secretary & eGroup Moderator

Tony commenced as a full time Private Investigator/Process Server with Ferguson Investigations in Liverpool in February 1977 and remained employed with them until that business was sold in the summer of 1981. He began working in his own right in October 1981, remaining full time in the business working from home initially and opening an office in Liverpool City Centre in June of 1985. In 1986 together with other Liverpool Investigators formed The Merseyside Association of Investigators & Process Servers and was the Secretary/Treasurer of that Association until 2000. He is a team member of Missing Kin, a worldwide collaboration of Investigators which deals solely with the return of abducted children. In 2000 he was engaged by BBC TV as 'Technical Advisor' on the television series "Nice Guy Eddie" an engagement that lasted three years. Tony is an active member of British Mensa and The Horserace Writers Association. Tony was appointed to the Governing Council in October 2004.

Darren Glover - Membership Secretary

Darren was appointed as the Association's General Secretary in June 2006. Having been in practice operating DLG Investigations in Oxford since 2005. In 2006 Darren was elected as the Winner of the WAPI International Investigator of the Year 2006 – Best Newcomer Award. Darren lives in Oxford with his wife, Imogen and is the Membership Secretary for the next Term for the Association.

Nigel Ross - GC Member

Nigel was born in 1973 and started his Investigation career working on fraud Investigations for a well known insurance company. After gaining several years investigating experience. Nigel then went on to work as business development manager for another large Investigation company. After being made redundant in 2002 shortly before he was due to get married. nothing to do with his business development skills. Nigel took the plunge and formed Corporate and legal Investigations Ltd he then utilised not only his business development skills but also his investigation knowledge and experience. Nigel has now gone to be a newly qualified NVQ 4 Investigator is also a member of the Credit Services Association and Enforcement Service Association. Nigel is a keen Martial Artist and holds a black belt in jujitsu. Nigel is married with 2 children and lives and works in west London

Rick Howatson – Central European Representative

Rick is the MD of Priority Marine Investigations in Spain and is also the WAPI Central European Representative. He has lived in Spain for the past 6 years operating his independent Private Investigation Company out of Murcia. Having spent five years in the British Army he then stayed on in Germany for 12 years and qualified at German Medical School. He then changed direction and became a Master Diver Instructor and for 18 years dived from Australia, USA, South Africa, Maldives, to the Seychelles Islands. He is fluent in German with a good command of Spanish. Rick returned back to Europe in 1993 and worked as a free lance PI in Eire until he got tired or the continual rainfall and moved to the warmer climes of Sunny Spain.

Warren H Levicoff - North American Representative

Warren has been selected as the USA representative of WAPI. His main area of operations is in the Philadelphia area however he is arguably one of the most well known International Investigators, with associates throughout Asia and Europe. He is the CEO of International Detective Services Ltd and an active member of many Associations throughout the world. During his professional career he has also been involved in the field of Bounty Hunting and has extensive training in the use and carriage of firearms.

JEFFREY A. WILLIAMS CPP - Asia Representative of WAPI

Jeffrey is the President and Managing Director of OSI. He served at seat of government locations, worldwide, as a Special Agent with the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) until retiring in 1992, having served as the Commander, OSI at the U.S. Embassy, Manila from 1984. Upon retirement, he became the Country Manager for Pinkerton – Philippines, until his promotion to Vice President of Pinkerton (Asia) Ltd. in 1997. His awards include commanding the Worldwide Outstanding OSI Office of the Year in 1986 and selection as Worldwide Department of Defense (DOD) Counterintelligence Collector of the Year in 1987, both awards while assigned to Manila. Additionally, he was selected by Pinkerton as their Worldwide Investigations Managing Director of the Year in 1997, followed by his selection as Pinkerton’s International Managing Director of the Year – Leadership Award in 1998. Jeff was also awarded the Bronze Cross Medal from the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 1991. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters degree in Management. Jeff is active within the American Chamber of Commerce's Intellectual Property Rights Committee and is Board Certified in Security Management by the American Society for Industrial Security(ASIS). Additionally, he serves on the 15 member Worldwide Investigations Council of ASIS.

WAPI - the professionals choice

The World Association of Professional Investigators, WAPI, is a professional body, formed by professionals, for professionals. It covers all areas of investigation, public sector and private sector, companies and individuals, corporate and domestic.

WAPI meets the need for a worldwide organisation which can provide a focal point for investigators. It promotes the profession internationally and provides networking opportunities through which members can exchange ideas, knowledge, methods, advice, education and working assignments.

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