The Association of Security Consultants (ASC) annual lunch was a time for renewing friendships – and saying farewells.
Sir Ronnie Flanagan, of HM Inspector of Constabularly, gave an entertaining and enlightening talk to a capacity audience at the RAF Club, Piccadilly on Thursday, June 22. Lord Peter Imbert, patron of the ASC and former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, announced the winners of the annual Imbert Prize. Lord Imbert commented that the entries were of the highest order and he congratulated all those who had participated. Winners included Lt Col CJ Finch PARA whose dissertation, entitled "The Privatisation of Security: Introducing Professional Standards and Accredited Qualifications to Private Security Companies", won the selected academic dissertation.
The security industry award went to David Burrill OBE, as he was considered by the ASC to have made the most notable contribution in the security industry during the preceding year. Formerly head of security at British American Tobacco, David Burrill is now half (with Kevin Green) of Burrill Green, security management consultants based in Ashford, Kent. David Burrill is a fellow of The Security Institute and a member of the Company of Security Professionals.
The ASC member award was presented to Mike Cahalane for making the most significant contribution to independent security consultancy in the preceding year.
Attendees also heard Colin Braziel, ASC chairman, give a vote of thanks and present an award to ASC member Maurice Parsons who is retiring to Cornwall. A former Met Police man, for the past eight years Maurice has been association secretary. Honorary membership was given to Nigel Flower who has been a stalwart member of the ASC and is standing down from full-time security consultancy.
