The Leicester-based event security and crowd stewarding contractor Showsec were on hand to oversee the unveiling of a new statue paying tribute to Nottingham football legend Brian Clough on November 6.
The Nottingham office was entrusted with the crowd and visitor management of the VIPs and members of the public who attended the unveiling of the new commemorative statue of Brian Clough in Nottingham. Following a pre-event communications planning process with Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Police, Paddy Leafe (East Midlands Operations Executive) led 20 Showsec security staff and stewards to accommodate the 6,000 fans.
Brian Clough’s widow unveiled the 8 ft bronze statue in front of an emotive special invitation crowd that included local dignitaries and past and present players from Derby County and Nottingham Forest football clubs including Brian Clough’s son Nigel.
Showsec was contacted in 2006 by Mencap to provide security for a series of shows featuring Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley at Islington’s Union Chapel.
Since then Showsec has supplied a range of event security professionals ranging from front door search teams, pit teams and backstage staff.
The reputation of the event has grown over the past three years to become one of the hottest tickets in town, with every night at Union Chapel sold out. Past acts to perform in the intimate 750 capacity venue have included Bono & Edge from U2, Noel Gallagher, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Kasabian, Razorlight and The Killers, with guests.
Paul Trippier has served as head of security for the event since its inception in 2006, he said: “Showsec provide a full venue security package to the event. We endeavour to take pressure off the organizers by liaising with the artist’s security personnel and ensuring they and the artists are comfortable in the backstage surroundings. The personal touch is always an advantage and working regularly with the artist’s security at a variety of venues contributes to a problem free event. Our staff really enjoy working with client and this is one of their favourite events of the year."
And Showsec were a part of the security operation at Liverpool’s Echo Arena for the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards, where local Hero Paul McCartney was joined by a host of A-list international music stars including The killers, Take that, Beyoncé, Kanye West, and host Katy Perry.
Showsec Operations Director Simon Battersby, oversaw the security operation for the fourth consecutive year, as MTV’s appointed head of security, which as in previous years in Lisbon, Munich, Copenhagen, a management team was contracted by the producers, to orchestrate the entire security operation in and around the awards event with the required flexibility to accommodate the nuances of an event of this scale.
MTV Europe Awards is a global TV event, with the live awards ceremony surrounded by related parties and broadcasts. Showsec’s team comprised of Mark Logan and John Hadland (Talent floor and stage security), Paul Joy (Front of house), Simon Preston (Backstage), Julian Kumah (Post show party), Steve Reynolds (Press) and Dayo Adelugba (Dressing rooms).
This year, Showsec’s Manchester area manager Alan Wallace also supplied 155 staff to secure the venue’s backstage from the 10 days during build and rehearsals, through the show and breakdown.
“This was probably the most cohesive operation, from both the MTV departments and our own,” Simon explained. “After four years, there is now a good understanding from both sides, we have a good idea what they want to achieve through previous experience, they were confident in accepting our advise in the appropriate areas to improve the security of the event.”
Simon added: “The EMA’s typically create a configuration in a venue that normally has never featured before. Huge production values and unusual stage and glamour pit configurations present obvious challenges for audience, talent and crew movement. The scale of the production in terms of live performance and its broadcast means that there is a crew on site of around 1000 people. (excluding performers) All have some role to play in the event. That is why our close relationship with all the departments from MTV is important to the success of the show. We all enjoy the challenges that this show brings – it is like no other, but we also really enjoy working with the people on this show. I am delighted that this was our strongest year to date.”
Showsec has recently completed a survey into behaviours within the workplace, focusing mainly on the areas of bullying and harassment. Both permanent staff and casual workers completed the comprehensive online questionnaire.
The company received a record survey response with 424 questionnaires electronically returned for analysis. Encouragingly for Showsec 83% of respondents stated that they worked in a positive environment and that bullying and harassment were not commonplace. Some 70% had never witnessed any act of bullying or harassment during their work for the company. According to the firm the results are indicative of a positive working ethos within the company when consideration is given to the 1,250,000 operational hours and 18,000 events worked each year.
The survey did the contractor adds highlight areas for improvement, for example some respondents were unaware of the procedures to report a complaint. Katie Farmer the company’s HR Advisor is analysing the survey in detail to create a strategy to reduce the number of negative experiences. As part of her work she will clarify company policy and revise the avenues for making both formal and informal complaints. The revised policy will be implemented and communicated to all staff in the near future.
Mark Harding Managing Director said, “The HR Department has worked incredibly hard on this innovative project. The number of respondents demonstrates that our workers are committed to communicating and engaging with the company. Overall feedback was extremely positive and we are committed to further improving our supervisory and management competences as well as creating a safe and enjoyable working environment where staff can interact with confidence. There is no room for negative behaviour in the workplace.”
