Our roving representative Una Riley updated us in the December 2012 print issue of Professional Security magazine on autumn industry events, beginning with the IPSA AGM during the Global Security Summit (GSS) in October 2012.
She is pictured right with (left) outgoing SIA chairman Baroness Henig, and Sharon Williams.
GSS was an event at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London brought together by the organisers of IFSEC International and supported by many of the industry lead bodies. There were many highlights over the two days which included speeches from Andrew Amery, Head of Security Co-ordination, LOCOG, about the ‘Journey to a Secure Games’; William Lyle, Operation Withern talking on the ‘Aftermath of the London Riots’; Don Randall, Head of Security, Bank of England who brought our attention to the Cross Sector Safety and Security Communications, the comms body that worked during the London Olympics; and the mayoral address from Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor for London for Business and Enterprise. However, I think the part that resonated for me was the IPSA AGM and briefing session that was conveniently held in the Gallery Suite at Olympia.
I have recently become more involved with IPSA and after my many years working with the BSIA I feel that I can now make a contribution to the organisation and at the AGM I was appointed to the International Council. It was good to see familiar faces one of which was Bruce George (former Labour MP for Walsall for 36 years) who was appointed honorary president of IPSA in May. On accepting the appointment Bruce George said: “I am very much looking forward to working with the International Council as we contemplate further changes in the regulation of the industry in the months ahead.” So it looks like 2013 is going to be another busy year. Also attending the event was Freda West, of Camberford Law, who were sponsors of the IPSA briefing on changes to BS:7858 British Standard security screening. Freda has been around the wider world of security for many years and I asked her about the changes that she had observed. Freda said: “I have been with Camberford Law Plc. for over 36 years and over 30 years of those have been spent dealing with insurances for the security industry. It has been a chore at times but overall has been a very pleasurable experience and it is heartening to see others who have stayed the course and with whom I still have contact. It has been interesting to see how the industry has developed over those years and how it has improved. Whilst there is no doubt further improvements can be made. The modern security guard is better trained than they were in the past. Some of the wages being paid are still poor but I also think there are a greater number being paid a ‘liveable’ wage. There are greater costs than ever associated with the recruitment of employees and there are companies who are trying to reduce the turnover of staff accordingly. So there have been improvements in respect of the recruitment of employees.”
I asked what has been the greatest change that she has seen. Freda went on: “I would say the introduction of licensing for the industry. This is having a beneficial impact on the industry although there are associated costs. Regulation coupled with the requirement of increasing health and safety for employees has meant better working conditions than in the past although we still see some occasions where the security operative is left as a mushroom in a poorly ventilated, poorly lit Portakabin.” I asked what else did she think has had a big impact on the guarding sector. Freda replied: “If you were to suggest 30 years ago that security companies would be working with the police on a daily basis and actually carrying out some of their old responsibilities you may well have been locked up and the men with white coats carrying out various tests on you. There are further opportunities available from the police and other public sector bodies and has undoubtedly been brought about because of the licensing regulation and requirements placed upon security companies. The management of security companies has greatly improved and has been aided by the [SIA] Approved Contractors Scheme although, of course, many had started obtaining relevant British Standards shortly before this. Undoubtedly there is still a feeling within the industry that security officers are under-valued and it is difficult to obtain, from clients, pricing to enable decent wages and benefits for their employees. In this economic environment it is hard to see this changing in the short term, although it is to be hoped that after coming through these difficult economic times there will be opportunities to reward. Within the insurance industry there are still only a handful of underwriters willing to insure in this sector and whilst management of security companies and the staff within security companies has improved the cost of a particular claim has unfortunately increased. Usually an injured third-party will obtain a figure and you can easily double it when all solicitors costs are taken into account if it has gone anywhere near court. If the matter has actually gone to court then costs completely spiral. People are more willing to litigate than ever before and thus, whilst improvements have been made within the security sector, it is difficult to pass on these to clients although rates have reduced over this 30-year time period. Probably one of the greater changes has been the pace of life over 30 years! It has definitely increased (or I have slowed down!). But the security people I still see always manage to make time and are very sociable and so it has been an enjoyable time. Hopefully there are still more years left in the tank!” I have no doubt about that.
I mingled with other IPSA members attending the AGM and helped myself to the delicious lunch that was sponsored by Sodexo. This was followed by a VIP drinks reception at the end of the day. I am already looking forward to the next IPSA AGM when I will have been able to contribute to the association in the ensuing year.
Another trade association that I have had involvement with is the Fire and Security Association (FSA). I recently attended the annual lunch at the magnificent Drapers Hall in the City of London. It was attended by many of the security industry lead body representatives including Baroness Henig of Lancaster, chairman of the SIA; Sir Ian Johnston, former Director of Security and Resilience at LOCOG; Paul McNaughton, President of the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the parent body of the FSA; Di Thomas, The Security Institute’s General Manager; Gerald Moor, the Master of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP); and NSI Chief Executive Jeff Little. In fact too many VIPs to mention them all. The entire occasion was most enjoyable but for me the highlight was the Peter Greenwood Award, which is the longest established individual award in the security profession. It was established after Peter’s untimely death in January 1995. Peter was truly a man of the people. In his position as chairman of the Security Industry Lead Body (SILB) Implementation Group, he worked tirelessly to enhance the cohesion and professionalism of the security industry as it was then and created the footprint for the profession as it is today. Stefan Hay, head of the FSA, said when introducing the recipient of the 2012 Peter Greenwood Award: “This gentleman is a genuine industry professional of outstanding pedigree and has been a true friend to both our industry and many of his peers present in this room today. It gives me great professional and personal pleasure to name Mike Cahalane as the 2012 recipient of the Peter Greenwood Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Security Systems Industry.” The room erupted … I cannot think of a more worthy recipient. Mike is a founding member of the Association of Security Consultants, and a stalwart figure in both the security consultancy field and security systems industry. he award was presented by the Master of the WCoSP Gerald Moor and me as WCoSP Master Emeritus and Guardian of the Peter Greenwood Award. It was a great event where the systems sector representatives were able to reflect and take stock of the changes that have influenced the electronic sector and prepare for the prospective changes coming down the pipe in 2013!
In the meantime, I would like to wish a everyone a merry Christmas and secure and prosperous new year.
