October 21 in the year of COVID-19 saw a change in our industry…for the better, writes Una Riley, the new chief exec of the security trade association IPSA.
It arose like a phoenix from the ashes! That might sound a bit dramatic, but a great analogy none the less. Jane Farrell the former Chairman stood down and the new Chairman, Simon Pears, Global Head of Security for Sodexo took over as chairman. With Simon’s vision for the future…the new IPSA was born.
It is difficult to write about IPSA now without using the word ‘new’…new Board, new vision, new Chairman and Chief Executive…new concept. The determination to amplify the new ethos of IPSA The main thrust is for the first time a professional, well established trade association will introduce free membership for the private security front-line workers…with all the benefits that fee paying individual executive members used to pay good money for…with even more benefits. This refresh will be made possible by the generosity of existing and new corporate company members. Also, the introduction of ‘founders’, who have committed to the development of this vision with no capital gain to themselves.
The founders are sending a message that they believe in the professionalisation of the industry from the ground up…not just from the top down. Our aim was to acquire 50 founders before the launch of the app. On the day of the launch there will be no more founders and however many we get will remain the Founders of the new IPSA for the next 60 years of our history and beyond.
There are a lot of exciting concepts being introduced within IPSA not only the launch of the app in January 2021 but also the construction of the board and all the people involved with taking this vision forward. Which brings me to the Front-line Forum and how it works. The Forum is made up from representatives from each of the categories – security systems technicians, front-line officers and fire systems technicians.
All the forum members must be front-line workers, from the security officers or the technicians working on the tools. This unique approach from an association will enable the board to have a direct constant communication line with the people working on the front-line. Our quest as the board is to attain maximum feedback from the Front-line Forum Group in relation to their specific sector needs. The valuable feedback will serve as fuel to power debate and action with industry and Government.
How it works
The Front-line Forum Group will have one person from the sector categories as chairman who will also sit on the main board and bring the issues raised at the Forum to the attention of the board. In turn the board will act upon the issues and seek to investigate, implement, or solve any issues they can by whatever means they can, from wider industry involvement or in some cases Government participation.
IPSA plan to be the voice of the front-line members. The upside for the individuals concerned is that they will gain a unique experience being part of the wider security family. The first Forum members will be pioneers. This experience will contribute to the personal development of the members. The Chairman of the Forum will have a six-month period in post. After half of that time the Chairman can declare if they want to stay in the group representing their category.
This rotation will provide the opportunity to stay on after that for another six-month period representing their sector. The other two sector participants also have the opportunity during that time to declare their intent to go through the Chair…but one always stands down after six months, or all three will stand down after the six-month period and be replaced with new Forum members. The ability to stay on is for members who have introduced a hot topic and want to see it through. Hence, a new front-line voice will be heard every six months and the conduit to the main board will be constantly refreshed and open to all suggestions.
When we were creating the Forum as a start-up concept we turned to our founders and company members to help. The first job was to appoint a chair; we also wanted someone outside London initially to ensure that we would not be considered London-centric. We turned to Securigroup (a Founder) and I spoke to Russel Kerr, Managing Director. I explained the concept and he came up with a name – Deborah Stewart, pictured. Someone who still worked on the front-line and a long-term employee. I was given Deborah’s details and I spoke to her to explain the concept and she was willing to be the very first chair of the IPSA Front-line Forum.
I asked Deborah for a brief explanation of her work. She said: “I have been a front-line officer since 2006 when I just turned 18. I joined a small security firm in Glasgow city centre. A company which has now grown into the national firm that is Securigroup. I started off stewarding events, such as football games. I quickly progressed to working on club and pub doors, all over Glasgow city centre. This became my career for more than ten years.
“Around 2013 I was introduced to corporate security, which is what I still do today. I really enjoy it, as I am continuously learning new things. I started at the site I am working at now as a guard, learning the ropes of a new client and their processes and procedures. Eighteen months later I became the site supervisor with a team of eight guards reporting to me. I am still very much on the front line dealing with incidents and occurrences.”
I asked Deborah how she felt about being the first female chair of the Front-line Forum Group. She said: “I am very proud to be a part of this new venture. With the help of IPSA, the people on the front line of security can finally have a voice and know that someone is listening! This is a long overdue opportunity for the people to have their thoughts, feelings and opinions heard through a professional platform and feel confident in the support they will receive.”
Part of the internal support for the forum members is the Group Mentor, Michael McDevitt. Michael is a Director of IPSA with a portfolio that he will be responsible for…including Group Mentor. He will help deal with expectations from the Group members and their role within it. He will be on hand to help members understand their role and how the Forum will work on a day to day basis. He will also listen carefully to the mentees as individuals and as a group, helping to facilitate their needs in relation to the board.
The Forum will also have someone they can turn to for professional help and guidance. I asked Michael how he felt about this important role. He said: “I am delighted to be part of IPSA and one of my responsibilities will be providing support to the nominated Frontline Forum members. Each member brings great experience and skills from across the systems, fire and front-line officers sectors. I look forward to helping them develop their ideas and provide solutions to benefit the security sector.”
I think it is imperative that the Group has that vital mentor link and someone at hand that they know they can rely on for support and helpful guidance. My personal sector is systems and we turned once again to one of our Founders to provide our first systems sector forum member. His name is Matt Card, installation engineer from Acctive Systems. Matt has been in the electronic security industry for nearly 25 years.
He has provided support and mentoring to trainee service and installation engineers. After 23 years of continuous service with what was essentially the same employer, Matt joined Acctive Systems Ltd as a project engineer and has experience in all areas of electronic security. The creation of the Forum was in keeping with the new ethos of IPSA to represent the front-line workers within private security. Our aim is to help develop front-line personnel by not only aiding them to talk about their business needs but also to encourage them to become more involved with their organisations and the wider world of security.
Finally, I turned to our fire technician, Kyle Ashton, Project Engineer of Chubb Fire services for his take on the Forum. Kyle has worked as a fire alarm commissioning engineer for the last 16 years and is working on high profile projects such as Battersea, Damac Tower and One Nine Elms. I asked Kyle how he felt about being part of this important Group and a pioneer representing his sector. Kyle said: “I am really excited about this opportunity. I hadn’t thought about it like that, but I guess that is right. This will give the front-line fire engineers a direct industry voice and I can’t wait to ask colleagues what they think and if they have any issues that they want me to bring forward. I also have a few ideas myself. I can’t wait to get started.”
I think the concept of the Front-line Forum will provide grass roots intelligence about our industry. Like Kyle, we cannot wait to get started when the App is launched.
If you want to sign up to become a member of IPSA as an individual or as a corporate company member, visit www.ipsa.org.uk.
