Business Spotlight: Sanctuary Executive Driving Service Brings Secure Ground Transportation to the Washington DC Region

Sanctuary Executive Driving Service is a concierge sedan service that caters to VIPs in the Washington DC region. Executive sedans are a common service associated with private air travel, but are typically viewed as a luxury item rather than a necessary security measure. VIPs are often required to utilize a private jet for security reasons as commercial airlines are not equipped to provide the level of security required. In the same vein, Sanctuary Executive Driving Service was created on the premise that VIPs need more security than commercial ground transportation can provide.

Sanctuary Executive Driving Service is unique in that all of the drivers are U.S. Citizens, former military or law enforcement, certified in Personal Protection by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), and vetted by extensive background checks. Each driver must attend and pass comprehensive evasive driving, personal protection, and first aid courses. The vehicles are tracked via GPS by our 24/7 operations center and are garaged in a secured facility, and secure WiFi and laptops are provided for the clients use. All the drivers have experience in Executive Protection and have situational awareness when clients travel with their own protective detail. This provides a seamless operation which eliminates confusion between the driver and protective detail. We are also able to provide a full protective detail should the client require this service.

There are several reasons a VIP should view an executive sedan service as a security measure rather than a luxury. According to one of the most exhaustive studies to date, which was published in the book Just 2 Seconds, 43 percent of all security incidents where an individual was the target of an act meant to embarrass, harass or cause harm occurred while the victim was in or around their vehicle. According to this study, which examined more than 1,000 incidents, security-related risks are far more prevalent when the intended victim or target is in or around their vehicle than at any other time. Given the clearly defined risks associated with VIPs traveling in a vehicle, managing those risks should be a priority.

For many VIPs the value proposition for a private jet is easily understood. That same value proposition is made with engaging a security driver. At some point the time saved and the ability to work while traveling can actually make the company money. A study released by the Associated Press and Equilar, a company that tracks executive compensation packages, reported that the median income for CEOs at large public companies exceeded $10M in 2013. For a CEO that works 60 hours a week, this translates to about $3,233/hour. Unfortunately, this is a high price for a company to pay to have their CEO sit in traffic. Engaging the right sedan service may offset this expense by allowing the client to work and have confidential discussions knowing the information is secure. Having the ability to conduct business while traveling is not only an executive responsibility, it is cost effective.

While most CEOs and VIPs prefer to travel without a protection detail, having a driver trained in executive protection can be critical when exposure is an issue. Knowing every detail is addressed from the perspective of the client’s security and discretion provides the assurance that all risks have been reduced or transferred. Understanding the requirements of a security driver additionally provides the assurance of a known and consistent service.

Most major corporations go to great lengths to limit access to their C-Suite executives both at the office and their homes, but they place little limitations on these individuals outside these venues. These corporations have security at the office such as ID badges, screening of employees for criminal activity and drug use, and restricted access to C-Suite personnel. When arranging travel for the C-Suite when to unfamiliar cities, the assumption that the executive sedan service meets these same standards is mistakenly made. Many high profile individuals will walk through the FBO to be greeted by a driver who may or may not be a U.S. citizen with an unknown background, and without any knowledge of the standards that sedan service imposes on their drivers. It is at this point the individual is most vulnerable. A driver that is a U.S. citizen and is extensively trained and vetted via background checks ensures all risks have been addressed and mitigated.

The mission of Sanctuary Executive Driving Service is to provide you with a luxurious experience while giving you the peace of mind that you have the discretion and protection you need when traveling in an exposed environment.  Let us make sure you arrive at your destination safe and secure the next time you travel to the Washington DC region.