APAC Insider Q2 2026 | 13 Preparation and response are crucial in counter terrorism efforts, and every component of the response system must work together in seamless cohesion. Enter Centinel, a Singaporean consultancy firm that exists to drive actionable solutions within counter terrorism, delivering data-driven insights shaped by specialist knowledge whilst promoting cross-border and cross-sector collaboration to bridge any operational gaps between the public and private sectors. The firm has earned recognition in the Singapore Business Awards 2026, applauded for its endeavours to shape the next frontier of counter terrorism. We took a closer look below. Centinel was established in 2021, born from a rising need for clarity and precision within a rapidly evolving sector. From its headquarters in Singapore, the public safety and management consultancy firm provides authoritative perspectives surrounding the threat of terrorism; its impact on public safety; and strategies that can help prevent, manage, and mitigate threats to states, businesses, and the global community. This mission is led by Executive Director Dr. Jolene Jerard. After receiving her PhD in international relations from the University of St. Andrews, Dr. Jolene went on to specialise in terrorist and extremist groups across Asia. She has been an Assisting Professor with the Homeland Security Programme at Rabdan Academy, USE, and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Conflict and Peace studies in Kabul, Afghanistan. Dr. Jerard is concurrently Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, where she was formerly the Deputy Head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research. She has conducted field research in a variety of threat zones that include Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Southern Philippines, Southern Thailand, and the insurgent areas of Bangladesh. She interviewed numerous leaders over the course of this journey, as well as members of terrorist and politico-religious groups in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Drawing from her extensive experience, Dr. Jerard has operated training programmes for counter terrorism law enforcement, security and intelligence practitioners, and analysists across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia since 2008. She has served as a consultant for the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute; an instructor at the NATO Centre for Excellence – Defence Against Terrorism in Ankara; and listed as a specialist instructor for the European Union’s Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. At Centinel, Dr. Jerard leads a dynamic team of experts, scholars, practitioners, and linguists who are passionate about their line of work. These professionals are highly skilled in identifying patterns of emerging risks and threats, generating robust data-driven insights, and ultimately providing clarity amidst the complexity often clouding judgement. What’s more, Centinel connects and partners with likeminded organisations and institutions – such as ST Engineering, the Academy of Security, Intelligence, and Risk Studies (ASIRS), RIDO INC., and more – leveraging collective expertise to address challenges with speed and precision. For those needing specialist insight, Centinel delivers a range of reports that actively combine data-driven research from the field with the expert knowledge of its team. The firm also offers consultancy services, navigating complex environments to identify risk and surface strategies that will safeguard public safety and build resilience. Furthermore, it enhances the capacities of governments and civilians alike through high-quality instruction and training programmes, educating participants on how to manage risk, prevent extremism, and counter violent extremism. Centinel has also hosted an annual Counter Terrorism Forum for the last three years, with the inaugural event launched in 2023. The inperson, closed-door forum brings together regional government officials, private sector leaders, and security professionals to investigate the region’s most pressing terrorism and extremism challenges. Through dynamic discussions and strategic networking, participants build lasting connections and share methodologies for strengthening regional resilience. The 2025 Counter Terrorism Forum was particularly significant, centred on the theme of “Advancing Resilience and Collaboration” in the face of an increasingly complex and dynamic terrorism landscape. More than 50 thought leaders from over 20 countries convened to examine the Arc of Terrorism, a transregional continuum of terrorist networks, operational linkages, and ideological movements spanning Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Together, they evaluated emerging threats, reimagined strategic responses, and catalysed cross-sector collaboration. Since its inception, Centinel has worked tirelessly to provide clarity and precision to those operating within the field of counter terrorism. Through strategic collaborations and data-driven research, the firm has successfully built an ever-growing network of experts dedicated to leading the charge against terrorism. Recognised as the Best Public Safety Consultancy Firm 2026 in the Singapore Business Awards 2026, Centinel has proven itself as an invaluable partner in counter terrorism strategy, and a crucial component of shaping a safer, more resilient future for all. Contact: Jolene Jerard Company: Centinel Web Address: www.centinel.global Best Public Safety Consultancy Firm 2026
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