About
Mark Elson - Founder & UXO Consultant
Mark is a leading UXO specialist with over 17 years of experience in explosive ordnance identification, risk mitigation, and disposal. A former Royal Navy Clearance Diver and qualified IMAS EOD Level 3 operator, he is recognised for his in-depth expertise in British, American, and German munitions across both land and subsea environments, specialising in WW2 era land service ammunition, underwater weapons, and airdropped munitions, including fuzes, pistols, and exploder systems.
Mark delivers innovative, CIRIA-compliant UXO risk management services to the construction, infrastructure, and marine sectors. His core strengths lie in accurate ordnance identification, assessing explosive risk to determine whether munitions present a hazard, and developing practical mitigation plans that reduce risk to the ALARP standard while ensuring safety without unnecessary disruption.
Over his career, Mark has supervised complex UXO operations, led diving and underwater identification campaigns in challenging conditions, and provided specialist oversight on high-risk sites both in the UK and internationally. A Member of the Institute of Explosive Engineers, he brings technical knowledge, field-proven leadership, and an uncompromising focus on delivering safe, effective UXO operations.
Philip Elson - Technical Lead
Philip Elson is the Technical Lead at UXO Specialist Ltd, where he has designed and developed the entire suite of online portals and software that power the company's UXO Awareness Films and UXO Overwatch services. His work enables seamless coordination, delivery, and monitoring of critical safety operations through robust, custom-built digital systems.
With a background in building secure online payment systems for major high street brands, Philip brings a deep understanding of performance, security, and scalability to everything he does. He has led the development of large-scale e-commerce platforms, complex integrations, and cloud-based architectures—always with a focus on solving real business problems.
Known for combining technical leadership with hands-on development, Philip excels at turning complex requirements into clear, maintainable solutions. His approach is collaborative, detail-oriented, and rooted in a passion for delivering systems that work—at scale and under pressure.
