Mark Keating

Semantic Summary

Mark Keating, known within Raise the Colours as "Big Mark" and designated by HOPE not hate as the group's "head of security," functions as RTC's primary physical enforcer in the street confrontations that have defined the group's escalation from flag-display symbolism to violent vigilantism. Based in Birmingham, Keating has been documented by both HOPE not hate and Birmingham Antifascists in multiple aggressive incidents: filmed attempting to pull a man's facemask off during a street confrontation, captured on video physically striking someone during the Stirchley confrontations of May 2026, and observed operating masked alongside RTC founder Billy Allison — the founding member later charged with murder for the fatal punch that killed pub owner Matt O'Gara in Lichfield. Birmingham Antifascists reported that after one physical incident, Keating's associate Allison was overheard telling co-founder Ryan Bridge "Mark's hit someone," confirming his role as the group's muscle. His moniker "Big Mark" and the "head of security" title suggest a designated enforcer function within an organisation that, despite its patriotic flag-waving public image, has repeatedly engaged in violent street-level intimidation. Keating is active across both Birmingham and Oxfordshire RTC chapters, appearing in the RTC Oxfordshire Facebook group at the time of the High Court injunction against other members, and is pictured in group photographs alongside Jordan Wheatley and Ben Cullen, placing him firmly within the group's core network.

Platform: Facebook, Instagram

Mark Keating, known as "Big Mark", serves as Raise the Colours' "head of security" according to HOPE not Hate. Operating primarily in Birmingham's Stirchley area and the West Midlands, Keating is the group's most physically confrontational member, documented on video attempting to pull a facemask off a man and recorded striking someone during street-level clashes. Birmingham Antifascists have tracked him operating alongside co-founder Ryan Bridge and founding member Billy Allison in multiple confrontations, noting he "was with the crew all night, rolled back up with Billy Allison masked up." His enforcer role within RTC bridges the Birmingham and Oxfordshire chapters — he is active in the RTC Oxfordshire Facebook group and appears in group photographs alongside core members Ben Cullen and Jordan Wheatley. Unlike Bridge and Stanley, Keating maintains no significant public social media presence and little is known of his background, reinforcing his function as a behind-the-scenes intimidation asset rather than a public-facing organiser. No criminal charges have been brought against him, though monitoring organisations have extensively documented his physically aggressive conduct. His moniker and designated role reflect RTC's reliance on football-firm-style violence to enforce its street presence. Category: Far-right Status: Active Real Name: Mark Keating Age: Unknown Location: Birmingham / West Midlands area Channel URL / Handle: Not confirmed Subscribers/Follower counts: Unknown Monikers: "Big Mark" (HOPE not hate, Birmingham Antifascists)

Overview

Mark Keating, known within Raise the Colours as "Big Mark", is described as the group's "head of security" by HOPE not hate. He is one of the most physically active members of RTC, having been filmed in confrontational street-level incidents in Birmingham. He is considered part of the group's core team and has been documented operating alongside other key RTC figures including Billy Allison and Ryan Bridge.

Keating was identified by HOPE not hate in their 25 May 2026 investigation "Raise the Colours: Who are the playground bullies plaguing British streets?". The monitoring organisation placed him in a video where he was filmed attempting to pull a man's facemask off during a confrontation — an act of physical intimidation that exemplifies RTC's more aggressive street tactics.

Birmingham Antifascists have documented Keating in multiple incidents. In one Facebook post from 14 May 2026, they describe him as "one of the core Raise the Colours team" who "was with the crew all night, rolled back up with Billy Allison masked up". They also reported that he was captured on video physically striking someone during Stirchley confrontations, with another post referencing that Billy Allison later told Ryan Bridge "Mark's hit someone".

Background

Little is known about Keating's background prior to his involvement with RTC. He appears to be based in or around Birmingham in the West Midlands. His moniker "Big Mark" suggests he may serve as an enforcer or physical intimidation figure for the group, a role consistent with his "head of security" designation.

He is active in the RTC Oxfordshire Facebook group, suggesting connections across multiple regional chapters. Birmingham Antifascists have tracked his movements across multiple incidents in the Stirchley area of Birmingham, where RTC members repeatedly clashed with local residents and anti-fascist activists.

Notable Content

Video footage (identified by HOPE not hate) showing Keating attempting to pull a man's facemask off during a street confrontation
Video (documented by Birmingham Antifascists, ~May 2026) showing him striking someone during Stirchley confrontations — referenced in Facebook posts

Key Themes / Content Style

Physical confrontation and street-level intimidation
"Head of security" role — enforcer within the group
Operates in Birmingham and Oxfordshire regions

Billy Allison — RTC founder (later charged with murder); Keating was documented operating alongside him masked up in Stirchley
Ryan Bridge — RTC co-founder; Keating reported to him after physical confrontations
Ben Cullen — RTC organiser; photographed alongside Keating
Jordan Wheatley — RTC member; pictured with Keating in group photos
Birmingham Antifascists — Monitoring group that has extensively documented Keating's activities

Financial / Support

No known funding channels identified

Legal / Platform Issues

Identified by HOPE not hate as RTC's "head of security"
Filmed attempting to pull a man's facemask off during a confrontation
Documented by Birmingham Antifascists physically striking someone during Stirchley confrontations (May 2026)
Active in RTC Oxfordshire Facebook group at time of court injunction against other RTC members

Sources

HOPE not hate — "Raise the Colours: Who are the playground bullies plaguing British streets?" (25 May 2026) — describes Keating as "head of security" and identifies him in video attempting to pull a facemask off (https://hopenothate.org.uk/2026/05/25/raise-the-colours-who-are-the-playground-bullies-plaguing-british-streets/)
HOPE not hate Instagram — @hopenothate — post dated 25 May 2026: "MARK KEATING... RTC'S HEAD OF SECURITY... FILMED ATTEMPTING TO PULL A MAN'S FACEMASK OFF" (https://www.instagram.com/p/DYwToOKiMB-/?img_index=4)
Birmingham Antifascists Facebook — "The fascist scum of Raise the Colours drove back into Stirchley again tonight" (14 May 2026) — describes Keating as "one of the core Raise the Colours team" (https://www.facebook.com/birminghamantifascists/posts/the-fascist-scum-of-raise-the-colours-drove-back-into-stirchley-again-tonight-sp/1419286390233842/)
Birmingham Antifascists Facebook — Photo post identifying Keating as RTC "Chief of Security" — describes him turning up "shoulder to shoulder with Billy Allison" (https://www.facebook.com/birminghamantifascists/photos/1403309985164816/)
Instagram — Post dated 29 May 2026 referencing Keating involvement in "intimidation, assaults and a hit and run" following Billy Allison murder charge (https://www.instagram.com/p/DY6om5JDQwl/)
Wikipedia — "Raise the Colours (organisation)" — lists Mark Keating as a named member (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raise_the_Colours_(organisation))

Notes

No verified personal social media accounts have been identified for Mark Keating
His exact age and background are unknown
The allegations of physical assault (striking someone, pulling facemask) come from monitoring organisations and have not resulted in known criminal charges
His moniker "Big Mark" and "head of security" designation suggest a physical enforcer role within the group
He is active across both Birmingham and Oxfordshire RTC chapters