Damian Hastie is the founder of Brethren Intelligence and director of Open & Candid Ltd (Company No SC762730, registered in Scotland). He began investigating the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church in May 2020 after identifying a concentrated pattern of Covid PPE contract awards to companies connected to a single family — following the public money through Companies House filings and government contract databases.
He had no prior knowledge of or personal connection to the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. He has no family members who are current or former members, no former membership of his own, and no financial relationships with any PBCC-connected entity.
What began as contract analysis grew into a structured intelligence database covering more than 8,000 PBCC-connected companies and 9,000 individuals across 20 countries, alongside a library of original investigations covering business, contracts, politics, charity, crime, community, planning and editorial.
Damian's investigations focus on the intersection of religion, commerce and public accountability — specifically how a closed religious organisation that bans members from mainstream media, voting and much of public life simultaneously operates one of the world's most extensive faith-based commercial networks and receives significant sums of public money.
His work has been cited by national and international press including The Times, The Daily Mail, ABC Four Corners (Australia), Brisbane Times and others. The original investigation published in December 2020 preceded The Times' landmark investigation by 14 months.
All factual claims are sourced to public records — Companies House filings, ASIC records, government contract databases, charity accounts, court proceedings and electoral records. Editorial and opinion pieces are clearly labelled. Subjects of investigations are offered the right of reply.
Full editorial standards, methodology and corrections policy are published at brethrenintelligence.com/editorial-standards.html.