Security Institute members Andrew Donaldson and Steven McGrath, pictured, will co-chair the Institute’s Counter Terrorism Special Interest Group (CT SIG).
Both have experience within counter terrorism. As with other SIGs, the aim is to share information and best practice, for the benefit of Institute members as well as the wider community.
Andrew is Head of Security at Real Estate Management (UK) Ltd; he’s responsible for crisis management and security operations across firm’s properties that include such prime London real estate as The Shard.
Steven is the Head of Information Capability and Engagement with the UK official National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO). He is responsible for NaCTSO’s engagement with businesses and their Information Sharing Platform. As the joint chair of the Protect & Prepare Business Information Exchange (CT BIE), he oversees projects delivered by NaCTSO and business and the cascade of advice and guidance across businesses and industry sectors.
The Institute adds that the CT SIG is well placed to support its contribution and response to the ‘Protect Duty’, which the Home Office is due to consult on, having last year mooted such a protective security duty against acts of terror on venues and public places (or, in the new jargon, ‘Publicly Accessible Locations’); as featured in the January print edition of Professional Security magazine.
Andrew said: “Counter terrorism is not just a job for the police and MI5. The Security Institute is well placed to not only keep people safe on a day-to-day basis, but also influence the longer-term strategy and decisions that need to be made. We have an opportunity with the Protect Duty consultation to inform government of how the private sector can successfully manage and implement security regulations.”
Steven added: “We have an opportunity to provide a voice for the industry to shape not only the advice and guidance provided to business and industry, but also the way it is delivered. Ensuring collaboration, articulating our thoughts accurately and timely, and thinking about security in the longer-term are my initial goals for the CT SIG.”
Their Institute Board of Directors Sponsor is the Vice Chairman Jonathan Schulten FSyI. He served as Director, SME and Lead Assessor on the National Counter Terrorism Security Coordinators Course at the College of Policing, and more recently worked in senior security and business resilience roles within the private sector.
Jonathan said: “Comprising of nearly 200 security professionals the CT SIG is strongly supported by the Institute’s membership. I welcome Andy and Steve as the new co-chairs. They are both vastly experienced and very well connected within the CT community, bringing with them knowledge of government agencies, intelligence, public and private sector organisations and terrorism risk insurance. I look forward to collaborating with them and to the invaluable contribution the CT SIG will make to the Institute’s response to the Protect Duty consultation process.”
Led by CT SIG, the Institute is hosting a free webinar on the ‘Protect Duty’ at 11am on Monday, February 22; book your place through the Institute: https://event.bookitbee.com/31567/220221-webinar-the-protect-duty-consultation.
