Richard Childs, who as reported last issue is the former JSIC chief executive, has launched the Confederation of the British Security Industry, with Nick O’Connor, who will look after the administration and developing the membership services.
They describe the CBSI as a new representative and lobbying group; membership is open to associations, organisations, companies and individuals working in or around the security industry both as suppliers, buyers or users of security.
The mission statement is:
‘To provide the security industry with an independent and non-aligned focus which can help those from diverse security backgrounds and with diverse security needs collaborate to help the industry better understand itself and achieve its full social and commercial potential’
The confederation reports that the objectives of the CBSI are to :
assist the industry develop an ongoing strategy for the future;
encourage and facilitate the consideration and discussion of issues and questions affecting the industry;
promote, support, oppose or propose legislation or other measures or proceedings affecting the interests of members;
make representations on all matters affecting member’s interests;
support the improvement of standards in the education and training of persons preparing for, entering upon or engaged in the security Industry.
produce, publish and distribute, journals, books, periodicals and papers, and generally exploit the written and electronic medium for the dissemination of knowledge whether alone or by way of joint or co-operative activity with others; and
co-operate with any company, association, public authority, or other body or person for the purposes of promoting the mission and objectives of the Confederation.
The CBSI intends to operate both nationally and through a regional structure to ensure that it is in touch with its members.
Membership of CBSI provides, the men add, the following benefits:
access to a non-aligned body, which represents all sectors of the security industry;
a vehicle through which to meet other members, exchange and debate views and ideas;
a platform upon which to express concerns and visions direct to Government and other key stakeholders and influencers;
access to news and views as published by CBSI;
early information regarding development in Government legislation, with the ability to consult, challenge and influence Government thinking;
access to a database;
input to lobbying, policy development and public communications; and
links from the CBSI website.
CBSI chairman Richard Childs said of the launch: “The CBSI will have a membership which represents those who work in, with or about the Security Industry. It is for organisations, associations, companies and individuals who currently have limited ways of meeting, working together and being heard or those who simply want a new or another body to be part of. A body which is looking to the future with not only a national but an international perspective. Once up and running the CBSI will provide professional membership support, information and above all a forum which will draw together a variety of players and identify issues of common concern. With that strength under its belt it can begin to judge, reflect and influence the future direction of the industry. It will not be a body that sits back and takes whatever is thrown at it without careful consideration and where appropriate responds robustly – and it may sometimes do that with passion.
“CBSI’s intention is to influence those who currently set the industry agenda and ensure that those voices who have not been heard that well up to now will have an opportunity to be heard or perhaps, even when they have been heard, listened to more often. Members will drive the CBSI and that will provide it with its strength so that it rapidly becomes a forum which can become a force to reckon with. Because the CBSI provides a forum that can bring independent associations together and by identifying common cause be a stronger and more significant influence on what is happening. It is not remotely about taking over the role of independent bodies – far from it – but it is about working in partnership with them and helping to make sure that the real value that some of the smaller independent associations can bring is not lost and that their views are factored into to wider thinking.”
Nick O’Connor said of the launch: “The CBSI fills a vacuum that there is at present in the security world and given the changes going on it is a vacuum that needs filling very quickly. The CBSI is not for profit and its finances will be totally transparent to its members and it will operate as efficiently as it possibly can. Hence, membership services will be contracted out from day one. The role of the Management Committee (which will be elected from the membership) will be to focus on the strategic issues affecting the membership and not internal management issues. A regional structure run by the members will be established and sub-committees chaired by members focussing on key issues will do the work of the CBSI.”
The CBSI adds that it intends to provide more value to its members by creating new links with overseas security bodies and governments.
To contact the CBSI, email [email protected] or ring 0870 754 0726.
