From the June 2001 print edition of Professional Security, Una Riley’s interview with outgoing British Security Industry Association chief exec David Fletcher.
When I came into this Industry some 16 years ago it was quite different than it is today. I don’t mean that it was better, just different. Certainly, for women it is much better now and there are more and more female entrants. One of the men that encouraged women to take their place within the BSIA was David Fletcher. A somewhat enigmatic character, he has always been empathic to the needs of people. He is one of those individuals who have made a huge contribution to this industry and will leave his mark on the market for years to come. When I first heard of the BSIA it was perceived to be a ‘gentlemen’s club’; nothing wrong with that, I hear the gentlemen hark. However, David Fletcher changed that perception and from 1986 to now has driven the BSIA from a small organisation to the largest security trade association in Europe. David started his career after his National Service with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. After doing his bit and having read Engineering at Cambridge University he embarked upon a career within the carpet industry. He first worked for Gilt Edged Carpets as a Production Manager and moved to The Carpet Manufacturing Company firstly in production and then went on to become the personnel director. From 1981-82 he was seconded for 18 months as part-time executive chairman to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. His role was to focus on the Land Settlement Association, a £22m turnover Government owned horticultural co-operative. It became an early privatisation of the Government of the day. This was a time when David worked with ministers and civil servants which would stand him in good stead for the future by sharpening his lobbyist skills which he later put to excellent use on behalf of the BSIA. David went on to work for other organisations in various positions, the last as managing director for a crystal glass company with a quality product but financial problems at the time. David was brought in by the bank to rescue the organisation. He recommended receivership! By now it was 1986 and he was offered the role of the first Chief Executive of the BSIA. It is quite poignant looking back and reflecting on how much change one man can make. I was privileged to be invited to the BSIA retirement dinner for David. Although it was very upbeat and the new Chief Executive David Dickinson was in attendance, it was also the end of an era. I have to say that it felt special to be part of that little part of history. Around the table there were people that had been legends in their own lifetime within the industry. Mike Hawker who had been the MD and Chairman of the country’s largest intruder company of its day; Sir John Wheeler who was involved with the BSIA from the early days and many more. There is no doubt that we will not see the likes of David Fletcher again, he certainly was an individual. The most striking thing about David that I observed was his determination and focus on building and driving the BSIA in a direction that would not only see us survive but also grow to be the premier security association. His experience in personnel and his gut feel enabled him to ‘steer’ who he thought was the right person for the job and bring the best out of them. David Fletcher took chances that not only paid off but also resulted in the successful organisation we know today. I caught up with David afterwards and asked him: ‘How does it feel to be retired”. ‘Lovely,’ he said. ‘I have never worked so hard in my life. We are sorting out our things at home and trying to restore a walled garden, which is quite a major exercise. We have had good weather and I have been trying to develop and manage our enormous garden.’ I asked whether Anna, David’s wife, was glad to have him home.<br>
‘She is delighted. We haven’t argued at all.’ I can believe that. Although I do not know Anna well, we have met on the various Euralarm General Assembly gatherings and have found her delightful company. I asked David if he and Anna had enjoyed the BSIA dinner in his honour. ‘Thoroughly. It was so nice to see all those good people and the evening passed all too quickly.’ We reminisced about the days of the SILB (Security Industry Lead Body) and the creation of JSIC (Joint Security Council) by the implementation group consisting of Peter Greenwood, Ian Gill and myself. The intention had always been for JSIC to become the umbrella organisation representing the entire security industry with the BSIA taking a key role. I asked David his opinion about how he thought things would progress. ‘Just let it evolve. All parties have to be happy with the outcome.’ On a personal note I will be happy to witness the JSIC-BSIA union some time.
<br><br>
Missing you already
<br><br>
I went on to ask David if he would miss us. ‘Of course I’ll miss it but life goes on and I have my own interests and hobbies. I won’t be desperately worrying about the job I have left behind. David Dickenson my successor will do a brilliant job.’ I asked him if he had any regrets: ‘I don’t think so. We have made steady progress over the last 16 years to where we are. I think that has been a satisfactory progress, obviously there might have been occasions with a bit of hindsight where we might have done it differently, but on the whole I think we did all right.’ How would he sum up the last 16 years’ ‘A challenging job which basically I created. It was very different from the manufacturing industry I left behind. I think my commercial experience was invaluable for running this sort of organisation. Very different ‘ you have to take all the members with you all the time. You can’t be autocratic running an association. I have enjoyed it and on the whole it has gone very well. The BSIA has ended up as the largest, strongest and most effective security body in the world.’
