GR
Hi there. My name is Grant Rayner.
I'm a multidisciplinary professional of sorts.
Originally from Australia, I've been living and working in Asia for 23 years.
Here's a snapshot of what I do.
Consulting
I am a crisis management and travel security specialist with over 23 years of hands-on experience in the field.
13 years ago, I founded Spartan9, where I’ve had the privilege of working with leading global companies and non-government organisations to strengthen their crisis preparedness and operational resilience.
My work is centred on equipping organisations to navigate uncertainty with confidence. I focus on two key areas:
1. Empowering organisational resilience
I design and deliver practical training and realistic crisis simulation exercises that enhance team performance and crisis response capabilities. I have developed proprietary frameworks to assess crisis management maturity and measure crisis team performance, providing structured, actionable insights for continuous improvement.
2. Enabling organisations to operate safely in complex environments
I help organisations develop robust travel risk management policies and procedures, including the development of contingency plans for higher-risk locations. A key focus right now is Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula. I also provide direct support to assist travellers impacted by critical incidents. When the need arises, I assist organisations to plan and execute discreet evacuation or exfiltration operations.
Beyond this, I conduct training workshops for security managers, crisis teams, and senior executives, ensuring they are prepared to lead effectively in times of crisis.
Writing
In September 2025, I released my first novel - Memoirs of an Assassin.
Memoirs of an Assassin
A chilling glimpse into the mind of a professional killer.
$6.99.
Learn more →I also share my knowledge and experience in the fields of crisis management and travel security through books and articles.
You can find the full range of my books on the Spartan9 website.
Right now I'm working on a few 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.
You can follow our progress on Instagram.
Applications
I build useful applications relating to my professional expertise and interests. 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.
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, where every image follows a simple rule—monochrome, 1:1 and shot on my phone. These constraints force me to focus on composition, light, and storytelling.



For my 'proper' photography, you can explore a curated selection here. I'm still in the process of adding photos to this new site.
In 2022, my photos from Syria were exhibited in the Leica gallery in Singapore. 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.
Photography in Higher-Risk Environments
The essential guide to operating in higher-risk environments as a photographer.
$18.99.
Learn more →Impact
I'm involved with different projects in higher-risk locations designed to provide meaningful assistance, build resilience, and give people a voice.
A new project I initiated in 2025 is to assist with initiatives to educate women and girls in Afghanistan.
Later this year I’ll be back in Syria 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’ll be delivering workshops in Damascus and Homs. The sessions are designed to strengthen local capacity for trauma recovery and resilience by bringing together Syrian psychologists, students, and community leaders.
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.
I'm passionate about product design, and run 'One of Things', a site where 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. These days, I prefer the slower pace of trekking, with recent trips taking me through Japan and Switzerland.
Thanks for stopping by.