Pictured at the December meeting of the Institute of Hotel Security Management (IHSM) in London are, left to right, Darren Carter, chairman of the IHSM; and Euan Wishart, winner of the Institute’s 2018 Security Officer of the Year award.
Euan is a security supervisor at Gleneagles Hotel; the five-star resort hotel beside the famed golf course in Perthshire. He and the head of risk and security, Derek McQueen, who nominated him, came from Scotland for the presentation. Appropriately, the crystal trophy was made in Scotland.
Darren said before the presentation: “We had a record number of submissions for 2018, which is nice to see.” He thanked all who took the time to apply, and the judges, who besides Darren were Craig McMahon, the Met Police’s Business Engagement and Hotel Liaison; Colin Tanner; Hannah Wadey, chief exec of the Safer Business Network in London; Dave Clark, chairman of the UK chapter of ASIS International; and Mark Rowe, editor of Professional Security magazine.
The other two chosen as finalists were Mario Siro, a security officer for Park Plaza Hotel Group, nominated by Jamie Price; Security Support Manager UK; and Scott Chambers, security superviser at Intercontinental London- The O2, who could not attend. His trophy was collected by Barry Lugg, head of safety and security, who nominated him.
The IHSM meets monthly, usually in London where many members are based. December’s host was Ian Williamson, area safety and security manager for Dorsett Hotels in London; at their four-star City hotel next door to Aldgate Underground station. Dorsett, while largely an Asian and Australian chain of hotels, also have a hotel at Shepherds Bush in west London; a sign of the booming hotel sector, both in London and globally.
About the award
The annual award goes to the security officer who has (to quote from the IHSM) ‘demonstrated the passion, commitment and dedication, achieving and maintaining the highest standards’; of the security department and hotel. The winner gets a personalised trophy and a prize of £250 (cheque) besides the shield engraved with the winner’s name, for the year. Two further finalists also receive a personalised trophy. Entries are usually required each autumn. For details visit the IHSM website.
More in the January 2019 print issue of Professional Security magazine.
