Britain’s security profession was formally recognised by the City of London on Friday May 2.
The occasion was a ceremony to mark the inauguration of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals.
The Lord Mayor, the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis, accompanied by High Officers and Aldermen of the City of London presented Letters of Patent and received the Company into Livery. It was among all the pomp and circumstance of a ceremony at the Mansion House. A celebratory lunch at the Guildhall followed.
Lord Mayor David Lewis said: “Security is at the heart of the modern, 21st century financial services district that is the Square Mile – and it is important to see the Security Professional now recognised alongside all the ancient trades on which the City was founded.” Some 350 guests attended as the Company’s new shield was revealed and took its place on a Guildhall wall alongside the shields of the other 107 Livery Companies. The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals was admitted to Livery in February. It has 290 Freeman from the wider world of security, including the military, police, corporate security, academics, security consultants, and fraud investigators.
The Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, former Lord Mayor, Alderman Sir David Brewer CMG, who sponsored the company and is one of its Honorary Liveryman, said: “I am proud to be a member of Merchant Taylors’, one of the oldest Livery Companies; and now the youngest – the Security Professionals. Security affects us all in our corporate lives as well as our personal lives. This is something relevant to the City today, just like Livery Companies of old used to be. The Company is quoted all the time as an example of how to form and nurture a Livery Company. All Lord Mayors have served as Sheriffs – the original keepers of London’s security – so maintaining the reputation for security and safety is a something that the whole City supports.” And Peter French, the Master of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals added: “This is a landmark day for us. It is recognition by the City of the contribution that professional security makes, not only to the safety of the country, but also the commercial success of the UK. An enormous amount of work has been done over the last eight years by many outstanding colleagues, and today we are overjoyed that all the effort has been worthwhile. We now look forward to joining the other Livery Companies and becoming truly a part of the history of this great city of ours.”
