Here is the new Security Guarding Leadership Group (S12) which on Wednesday met with Home Office Security Minister Dan Jarvis for a ‘get to know you’ session at the start of day two of the International Security Expo, at Olympia in west London.
Pictured upstairs at Olympia they are from left (photo courtesy of Carlisle Support Services) Richard Fogelman, National Security Inspectorate (NSI, one of the two observers); Claire Shrosbree, CEO, CYS Security; Gary Culloden, Managing Director, Security, Mitie; Alex Booth, Managing Director, AURA UK Services; Rachel Fleri, Managing Director, Specialist Security; John MacAskill, British Security Industry Association (BSIA); Shaun Hipgrave of the Home Office (not a member); Paul Evans (CEO, Carlisle Support Services); Dan Jarvis (Barnsley MP; also since PM Sir Keir Starmer’s August re-shuffle a Cabinet Office minister with national security responsibility); Peter Harrison, Managing Director, FGH Security; Paul Howe, Managing Director, Venture Security Management; Ahmad Rafique, CEO, SSG Support Services; and David Ward, founder of the City Security Council, the other observer. Tim Kendall, President, G4S Secure Solutions (UK and Ireland) is a member but was unable to attend. Paul Evans (Carlisle) and Peter Harrison (FGH) are chair and deputy chair.
Aims
The Group will regularly engage directly with the Home Office security minister, Home Office officials and the UK regulator the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Among its aims – as set out by Paul Evans in an interview in the October edition of Professional Security Magazine – is to raise industry standards, and help shape policy, such as in more (and more deep) integration of contract guarding with the police; and developing the Security Skills Academy. Members range from the largest national providers to small and medium independent firms plus representation from industry trade associations. Each member is a senior security executive and will serve a minimum two-year term within the Group, meeting (in person, it’s hoped) at least once a month.
Each S12 member will lead on at least one industry initiative and seek to create enlarged sub-working groups with, organisers say, the widest possible reach into the industry. Records of their objectives and actions will be found on a new created website, www.securityleaders.co.uk.
During his speech at the Expo, Dan Jarvis said: “I am very pleased to announce the formation of the S12, a new industry-led initiative to bring together various parts of the private security industry to be able to speak to Government with one voice. Earlier this morning we had a good and constructive meeting with the elected leaders who make up the S12. I was able to listen to what they had to say about how we can organise to improve standards within the security industry. I am keen for the government and for the SIA to work closely with them.”
After the event, Paul Evans said: “This Group has been built on the principles of inclusive representation, accountability and action. We recognise this is a critical time for our industry and the sense of collaboration has never felt stronger. However, we also face rising threat levels and there are still unfortunately reports of malpractice and shortcuts being taken which simply will not stand up against new legislation. A core part of our mission is to equip security professionals with tools and training that reflect the changing landscape and to improve standards that will further enhance public protection. With the support of the Security Minister, we look forward to making a lasting difference and making the country a safer place for all.”
For Dan Jarvis’ speech in full visit https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/international-security-expo-2025. More in the November edition of Professional Security Magazine. See also Mark Rowe’s blog.
Background
The S12 derived from a gathering arranged by Paul Evans of security industry, police and government figures late last year, as featured in the January edition of Professional Security.
