
Meet The Team

Chairman of the Board of Directors
Tapio Vaskio
Mr. Vaskio is the Managing Director and co-founder of ERG Partners, a New York-based independent financial and strategic advisory firm providing counsel to clients on corporate finance and strategic matters including mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, and restructurings. ERG Partners has in-depth expertise in the security and intelligence industries and has extensive experience advising on cross-border and multi-jurisdiction transactions around the world.
Mr. Vaskio’s experience in international business spans over 20 years. He has held senior management positions and advised Boards, CEOs, and shareholders of risk management, security, and intelligence companies. Tapio holds a master’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Helsinki University and a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University.
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Founder & Group CEO
Roope Ruokonen
Roope is a seasoned business leader with more than 20 years of senior management experience and an impressive track record of building businesses and creating shareholder value. Under his leadership, FRF has emerged as a leading high-end risk management company, offering a broad array of solutions to support diplomatic, government, NGO, and corporate clients in high-risk environments around the world.
Roope founded FRF in 2011 and leads FRF as its Group CEO, providing strategic direction, overseeing all aspects of FRF’s business, and spearheading the company’s growth to the next level.
Prior to founding FRF, Roope held senior leadership positions at multiple multinational corporations including Adidas, Kellogg’s, and Red Bull. Roope served in the Parachute Regiment of the Finnish Defense Forces and holds an M.Sc. degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Helsinki School of Economics.
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Head of Engineering
Markus Vaha
Markus has more than a decade of experience in integrated security system design and providing turn-key security solutions to clients operating in high-risk environments including Iraq and Afghanistan. Markus leads FRF’s [Security Design & Engineering] business area with a focus on designing and implementing technical solutions to ensure the safety of clients’ staff, facilities, and operations.
Prior to joining FRF, Markus was the Head of Engineering at Restrata, a Dubai-based emergency response, security consulting, and system integration company with extensive experience in supporting clients in high-risk environments.
Markus holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Turku University of Applied Sciences.
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Project Manager
Hermanni Aaltonen
As Project Manager, Hermanni plays a pivotal role in ensuring the successful delivery of FRF solutions. He oversees every stage of the project lifecycle, from initial client consultation to final systems implementation. In addition, he handles numerous day-to-day administrative tasks, such as financial management, procurement, and internal process management, including CRM tools.
Hermanni holds a Civil Engineering degree from Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, and his proven track record in the construction industry has also given him a strong foundation in security project management. At the same time, his dedication and meticulous attention to detail guarantee that every security solution meets the highest standards – every time.
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Technical Security Project Manager
Simon Askew
Simon brings more than a decade of experience from the defence as well as oil and gas industries. He has provided technical survey, design, engineering, and multi-project management of infrastructure deployments, upgrades, and turn-key security solutions to clients operating in e.g. the UK as well as high-risk environments, such as Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Simon is integrated into FRF’s Security Design & Engineering business function, with a particular focus on project management and stakeholder collaboration. He also specialises in the design, implementation, and delivery of technical solutions tailored to client requirements, with a strong emphasis on safety and operability.
Prior to joining FRF, Simon served as Technical Security Lead at Anton Oil, where he was responsible for multi-faceted surveillance and security systems, interoperability upgrades, sustainable ‘through life’ preventative maintenance planning, and resource management. He comes with extensive experience from high-risk environments and has also previously served in the British Armed Forces.