GR

Hi there. My name is Grant Rayner.

For over two decades, I've helped organisations navigate crisis and uncertainty. Along the way, I've also written books, designed gear, built applications, and worked on projects that matter in challenging places.

Originally from Australia, I've been based in Asia for 24 years.

Here's a snapshot of my life and work.

Consulting

I've spent the past 24 years working in crisis management and travel risk management, helping organisations navigate some of the most challenging situations they face.

14 years ago, I founded Spartan9 to make crisis preparedness more practical, more human, and more effective. Since then, I've supported global companies and NGOs across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

My work today focuses on two areas:

1. Building genuinely resilient organisations

I help organisations strengthen their crisis management and incident response capabilities through improved policies, procedures, and frameworks. I've developed assessment tools that measure crisis management maturity and team performance — not as checklists, but as instruments that reveal where organisations stand and what needs attention.

A significant part of my work involves designing and delivering realistic crisis simulation exercises that sharpen how teams think, communicate, and make decisions under pressure.

2. Enabling safe operations in complex environments

I work with organisations to develop travel risk management systems calibrated to their size, structure, culture, and destinations. This includes comprehensive contingency planning for complex regional scenarios like Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula.

I guide organisations operating in challenging environments — from post-conflict zones to authoritarian regimes — on risk management, personnel security, and information security. Over the years, I've responded to natural disasters, coups, civil unrest, and terrorist attacks, and have planned and executed discreet evacuation and exfiltration operations when situations deteriorated quickly.

I also run workshops for security managers, crisis teams, and senior leaders, giving them the confidence and clarity to lead when things go wrong.

Writing

Fiction

In September 2025, I released my first novel, Memoirs of an Assassin - a fictional memoir told from the perspective of an unnamed contract killer. Rather than glamorising the profession, it's a procedural exploration of the tradecraft, psychology, and moral compromises of someone who has made killing their livelihood. The book examines what happens when you cross lines that can't be uncrossed.

I'm already working on the sequel to Memoirs, which carries on from the first book, bringing our assassin to Russia and an uncertain fate.

In addition, I'm writing short stories. These are standalone glimpses into our assassin's world — scenes, memories, and moments that live alongside the main novel.

Non-Fiction

I also share my knowledge and experience in the fields of crisis management and travel risk management through books and articles.

You can find the full range of books on the Spartan9 website.

I'm currently working on a two new books focused on physical intrusion testing and travel risk management.

I've also written about travel security at Dangerous Travels and about security consulting at The Business of Security.

From time to time, I also write on Medium.

Bag Design

In 2023, I started a new project to design and manufacture bags under the brand Station XV. My first collection of bags went on sale in April 2024, comprising a satchel, pack, duffel, belt, tote, camera bag, travel folio, and three accessory pouches.

Station XV bags have been developed based on years of experience in the field. Our bags are purposefully designed for individuals looking for discreet and hard-wearing gear for urban environments and travel. We use high performance materials such as Challenge UltraWeave and Challenge Ultra Stretch fabrics, customised UHMWPE webbing, and YKK zips. The bags are highly versatile and durable. Perfect for everyday use and travel.

You can follow our adventures on Instagram.

Applications

I build useful applications relating to my professional expertise and interests. So far, I've built the following applications:

Tenacio. A project management tool designed for people with too much on their plate.

Whistler. A simple and secure whistleblowing application for organisations.

Incident Manager. The first application for incident management teams focused on team performance, with integrated AI support.

Our Shared Stories. A calm, privacy-first writing space for people who have lived through difficult or life-changing experiences. Built in collaboration with crisis counsellors, it focuses on reflection and optional, respectful connection—without feeds, algorithms, or social-media pressure.

Photography

Photography is an integral part of my travels, capturing people and things I find interesting in the moment.

I share a selection of photos from different places on my Instagram account. The images I port here follow a simple rule—monochrome, mostly 1:1, and shot on my phone. These constraints force me to focus on composition, light, and storytelling. I've started posting stories as well for those looking for something more colourful.

For my 'proper' photography, you can explore a curated selection at www.grantraynerphotography.com. I'm still in the process of adding photos to this site.

In 2022, my photos from Syria were exhibited in the Leica gallery in Singapore. These photos highlighted the resilience of the Syrian people, who had faced decades of challenges under an authoritarian regime. I've also delivered a 'Photography in Challenging Environments' workshop for Leica.

In September 2025, I published a book focused on photography in higher-risk environments. Proceeds from this book support humanitarian projects in Syria and Afghanistan, particularly in the areas of mental health and women's education and welfare.

Impact

I'm involved with different projects in challenging locations designed to provide meaningful assistance, build resilience, and give people a voice.

A new project I initiated in 2025 is to assist with locally-led initiatives to educate women and girls in remote parts of Afghanistan. I'm also assisting Afghan women to tell their stories. These stories are extraordinarily powerful, and provide a voice to those who have had their voice taken away.

In November 2025, I returned to Syria for the fourth time to deliver a one-day workshop series titled 'Restoring Hope and Resilience: Supporting Individual and Collective Recovery'. Together with experienced clinical psychologists and crisis counsellors, we delivered workshops in Damascus and Homs. The sessions were designed to strengthen local capacity for trauma recovery and resilience by bringing together Syrian psychologists, students, and community leaders and sharing practical knowledge. Both sessions went exceptionally well, thanks to the expertise of the facilitators and the enthusiasm of the participants.

Following these workshops, I set up the 'Hope and Resilience' website. This site provides resources for mental health professionals and community leaders in Syria.

In December 2025, I built the 'Our Shared Stories' application. Building on the work I've been doing in Syria and Afghanistan to help people tell stories of trauma, this application provides a space for people to share their experiences and discover stories where the experiences of other people echoes their own.

While in Syria, I also delivered a workshop for local fixers to help prepare them for working with foreign companies as these companies begin to explore market opportunities in the country. We discussed the culture of foreign companies, their internal working practices, itinerary planning, journey management, risk appreciation and contingency planning.

I fund most of these projects myself. However, if you're in a position to contribute - even in a small way - please reach out.

Misc

My work takes me across the world, and I regularly travel for short breaks. At last count, I’ve visited 57 58 countries, with some—especially in Asia—becoming regular destinations. Travel has brought a lot of perspective, a little adventure, and some wonderful friendships.

I have always had an interest in product design and built the 'One of Things' website to share my passion. Here I highlight one beautiful and useful thing in each category of things. I've taken a break from this for a while due to other more pressing priorities but will come back to it.

When I’m home, I unwind by listening to records, reading books, and playing the guitar and piano. I’m not particularly great at either instrument, but it's engaging and fun.

I used to climb mountains, with ascents in New Zealand, Peru, and Russia. Probably the most committing ascent was the central gully of the south face of Douglas Peak in New Zealand (IV, 5), These days, I prefer the slower pace of trekking, with recent trips taking me through Japan and Switzerland.

Thanks for stopping by.

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