Alford Training instructors are practitioners first. Between them, the team brings decades of operational service across Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine and humanitarian operations worldwide, spanning high-threat IEDD, Master Breacher-level methods of entry, explosive demolitions, sabotage and IMAS-aligned humanitarian mine action.
That operational depth is what makes our training honest. Our instructors have made the decisions they teach, under the conditions they replicate on the range.
Paul Rigg | Director of Training
An Alford Group team member since 2018, ‘Riggers’ is a highly experienced professional who has worked in the EOD, IEDD, WTI and explosives management fields for over 25 years.
He gained extensive operational experience through multiple tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, providing technical support to both foreign and domestic organisations. Additionally, Riggers served as a Contract IEDD Operator in West Africa.
Riggers oversees all Alford Training programmes and sets the company’s strategic direction.
Billy Ellens | Operations Manager
Billy is an IMAS Level 3 EOD operator with 13 years of service in the British military, during which he completed tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland, and Kosovo. He has gained substantial experience in managing explosive demolition projects.
Billy leads our Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) training with five years of experience in humanitarian operations in Africa. He is also an expert in various breaching methods.
Steve Hayward | Chief Instructor – Breaching & Demolitions
Steve Hayward MInSTR MIExpE is a Master Breacher-qualified former Royal Marine with over 22 years of service, including as Chief Instructor at the Assault Engineer School.
With extensive experience and knowledge, and having completed the Master Breacher course, Steve is recognised as one of the most highly qualified instructors in the UK.
Steve leads breaching and demolitions training at Alford, delivered on our dedicated breaching facilities at Broadmead Range.
Ryan Napier | Chief Instructor – EOD & Sabotage
Ryan served for 23 years in the British Army as a High-Threat Operator, gaining experience in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
After his military career, he applied his operational skills and technical knowledge to support missions in Ukraine.
With extensive expertise in improvised explosive device disposal and explosive ordnance disposal, Ryan provides world-class instruction to military, commercial, and humanitarian organisations.
Ryan leads EOD and sabotage training at Alford, delivered at both of our ranges, Broadmead and Emborough.
Joel Snarr | Chief Instructor – IEDD & WTI
Joel is a former high-threat IEDD operator with 15 years of service, operating at the sharp end of the profession from operational tours of Afghanistan to his recent work in Ukraine in 2024/25. He was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his service.
Joel’s move from the field to the training range came as a High-Threat Instructor on the A-Team at the Felix Centre, the UK’s specialist EOD training establishment. His expertise also extends to film and television, where he works as a technical advisor, bringing authenticity to the screen with Alford products and British EOD equipment.
Whether in a conflict zone, on a film set or on the range, Joel’s operational experience keeps our instructional standards honest and current. He leads our IEDD training and WTI programmes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads Alford Training?
Alford Training is led by Director of Training Paul Rigg and supported by a team of instructors with operational backgrounds in high-threat IEDD, Master Breacher-level methods of entry, explosive demolitions, and humanitarian mine action.
What is a Master Breacher?
Master Breacher is a senior qualification recognising the highest level of breaching expertise and instructional authority, spanning explosive, mechanical, thermal and ballistic methods of entry. Alford’s breaching and demolitions training is led by Master Breacher-qualified Chief Instructor Steve Hayward.
What operational experience do Alford instructors have?
Alford Training instructors have served operationally across Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, and in humanitarian mine action programmes worldwide, in roles spanning EOD, high-threat IEDD, assault engineering, and demolitions.