Nigel Taberner is a former expert hostage negotiator for Greater Manchester Police and a Senior Leader within UK Counter Terrorism Policing, with over 30 years’ experience in frontline law enforcement. Having negotiated more than 130 high-risk domestic and international incidents, Nigel is hired as a speaker for his deep insight into communication under pressure, decision-making in uncertainty and leadership when the stakes are at their highest.
Nigel joined Greater Manchester Police in 1991 as a Police Constable and progressed through a wide range of operational and training roles. He served as a Police Trainer before being promoted to Police Sergeant, developing a strong foundation in leadership, instruction and operational command. In 2011, he became a Hostage Negotiator, a role he held for a decade, during which he was trusted to resolve armed sieges, suicide threats and kidnap situations where outcomes depended on calm judgement, psychological insight and precise communication.
Alongside his negotiation work, Nigel moved into Counter Terrorism Policing, serving as both a Detective Sergeant and later a Detective Inspector. In these roles, he operated at the forefront of national security, managing complex investigations and contributing to strategies designed to prevent and respond to serious threats. His expertise was recognised internationally, and he became a member of specialist training teams delivering instruction in the UK, Finland, Australia and in collaboration with the FBI.
In 2019, Nigel transitioned into the private sector as Managing Director of Level2Communications, where he applies hostage-negotiation principles to leadership, organisational communication and crisis management. He is hired as a speaker for his ability to translate life-critical negotiation techniques into practical tools for leaders, managers and teams. His sessions are highly engaging, grounded in real-world experience and focused on helping audiences build trust, manage conflict and make sound decisions under pressure.
