1705 Consultancy
Set up by Rob Brettell in June 2024, 1705 Consultancy is a growing business in Southend-on-Sea that works with organisations, venues and event organisers to better understand and manage risk.
As he established the business, Rob was able to access fully funded business support, funded by Southend City Council and delivered by Let’s Do Business Group, helping him to strengthen his foundations, plan for growth and build confidence in his financial and strategic decision-making.
With a clear purpose to make safety, security and compliance more practical, the consultancy was created to make these complex areas more understandable and effective for the people responsible for them.
From event safety planning and risk assessments to emergency preparedness and Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) readiness, 1705 Consultancy supports clients to feel confident that they are doing the right things to keep people safe, while also meeting their legal and regulatory responsibilities.
About 1705 Consultancy
At its core, 1705 Consultancy is designed to help organisations prepare for the things they hope will never happen. Working with a range of clients, including event organisers, venues, charities and small to medium-sized organisations, Rob provides clear and tailored advice on safety and security. Its service risk assessments, event safety plans, emergency and business continuity planning, Protect Duty readiness, and specialist training.
1705 Consultancy is led by Rob Brettell, who brings over 20 years of experience from his career with Essex Police. During his time in policing, Rob worked in senior roles covering critical incident management, investigations, emergency planning and operational leadership. Setting up his business in June 2024, before becoming a limited company in early 2025, Rob was able to put his knowledge and experience to support organisations – particularly for those who may not have in-house safety or security expertise but still carry serious responsibility for public and staff safety.
“1705 isn’t a brand invention – it’s my old police collar number. It reminds me that safety is a duty, not a slogan. From family liaison to critical-incident command, I’ve seen what happens when preparation is left to chance. This consultancy exists to make sure you never have to say: ‘we should have done more.’”
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, 1705 Consultancy takes the time to understand each client’s specific environment, challenges, and risks, before developing practical solutions which actually work in the real world. What makes 1705 Consultancy different is Rob’s focus on practicality. He doesn’t just produce documents which sit on a shelf but rather helps the organisations with which he works with to build confidence, capability and preparedness into their day-to-day operations.
Whether it is supporting an event organiser to plan safely for a large public gathering or helping a venue prepare for future Protect Duty requirements, the emphasis is always on clear communication, realistic planning and simple, workable processes. Clients are guided through what they need to do, what it matters, and, more importantly, how to implement it into practice.
“We’re trusted by venues, event organisers and corporate teams who value calm leadership and straight answers. ‘Practical, human, effective’ is how clients describe our work; ‘we finally feel ready’ is the outcome we aim for every time.”
— Rob Brettell, owner of 1705 Consultancy
Support from Let’s Do Business Group
Back in June 2025, Rob began working with Backing Essex Business, a support programme delivered by Let’s Do Business Group, accessing fully funded business support to help strengthen the foundations of his business and plan confidently for growth.
Businesses in Southend-on-Sea can access a range of one-to-one support with an expert Business Advisor, covering areas such as finance, marketing, recruitment and strategic planning. Hosting fully funded workshops to learn new skills and providing access to free resources to help you stay on track with your goals, we can find a solution for your business, no matter the challenges.
Funded by Southend City Council, the support he received focused on both the practical realities of running a start-up business and the longer-term opportunities for expansion and collaboration.
Rob worked alongside our expert Business Advisor, Dawn Andrikopoulos, who supported him to explore a detailed SWOT analysis and worked through a range of financial planning tools, including a personal survival budget and cash flow forecast. This enabled him to build a clearer picture of his business’s financial position, understand future pressures and opportunities, and make more informed decisions about pricing, growth, and investment.
Alongside financial and strategic planning, Rob was introduced to a range of local business networks and development opportunities to help him grow his profile and strengthen his supply chain. Dawn also facilitated introductions to the Greater Essex Careers Hub, as Rob was keen to link up with local schools to raise awareness of careers in public safety. In addition to this, he was connected with the Economic Development team at Southend City Council, with plans for him to present at one of the Southend Business Partnership Executive meetings.
“It has been a pleasure working with Rob and seeing how his vision for the company and dedication to lay firm foundations for the business has really paid off. The openness to receive support from as many sources as possible has been time well spent. Rob has created a business that will create best practice for organisations and events in the UK with plenty of scope to grow further afield. I am super proud to have been part of Rob’s journey.”
As part of his wider development, Rob attended several workshops led by Let’s Do Marketing to build his marketing capability and online presence. These included sessions on developing a marketing strategy, using LinkedIn effectively, understanding the basics of search engine optimisation, and creating successful email marketing campaigns. Together, these workshops have helped him to sharpen how he promotes 1705 Consultancy and communicates his services to potential future clients.
By the end of 2025, the supported had already delivered clear outcomes – helping to safeguard one full-time equivalent role within the business, and as a result of business growth and expansion, 1705 Consultancy has expanded to take on more members of staff.
Rob’s journey with 1705 Consultancy shows how the right advice, practical tools and local connections can make a real difference to a growing business.
If you are running a business and would like support with planning, finance, marketing, or preparing for growth, find out how Let’s Do Business Group can help you by contacting our team today!
This Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund from Southend on Sea City Council
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a UK Government initiative providing funding for local investments to support the government's five national missions, including economic growth, making the UK a clean energy superpower, and breaking down barriers to opportunity. From April 2025 to March 2026, UKSPF will continue to support local projects focused on communities and place, supporting local businesses, people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus