Here’s the line-up of speakers at the fourth UK OSPAs Thought Leadership Summit, organised with the NSI (National Security Inspectorate), running on Thursday, February 24 at the Royal Lancaster in London’s West End. As pre-covid – the UK OSPAs like so much else had to go online during the coronavirus pandemic – the day will cover topical security industry issues, before the OSPAs award winners are announced at a black-tie dinner at the same venue that evening.
First, Ian Dyson QPM, the recently retired Commissioner of the City of London Police and Geoff Zeidler, who chairs the Police and Security Group (PaS) will discuss police-industry relations. There was a time when the security sector was widely berated by police officers for its failure to deliver, most notably in the high levels of false alarm activations wasting much police time. Roll on two decades and things have changed. ECHO has pioneered new ways of working, the security sector has stepped up, but the police response has been disappointingly slow. Is it time for the sector to argue is it the police who now need to get its act together? What do the police want from security now? What should happen next?
Michelle Russell, the CEO of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), pictured, will bring the latest from the UK regulator. Since the SIA was formed there has been a call for its remit to be focussed differently, many calling for more coverage and with more teeth, in short more action; but the SIA is restricted by statute. So, what can the industry expect from its regulator? In what ways can the SIA inspire, nudge, influence and incentivise where its powers are limited? Just how far is it prepared to go?
And a panel will debate the Protect Duty: in the pipeline by the Home Office for more than a year. What are the implications and opportunities for the security sector, if such a Duty becomes law? As for security risk assessments delivered by the private sector, are as effective as they could be? What new requirements should be introduced and why? Looking ahead will be Andrew Donaldson – Head of Security, Real Estate Management (UK; John Frost – Group Head of Business Continuity & Chairperson of the Retail Business Continuity Association (RBCA); and to give an insurance perspective, Stuart Toal – Head of Non-Motor Commercial Insurance, Allianz UK.
Two heads at security suppliers will have their say: Paul Evans – CEO, Carlisle Support Services; and Christian Watts – MD, Fire and Security Systems, Mitie. The last two years besides covid have seen winners and losers among security sector suppliers, although there is general recognition that post Covid represents new opportunities.
Last but not least; what are the barriers and opportunities for industry collaboration? How can the sector present a more united front? Jayne King the president of the healthcare security body NAHS is chair of the umbrella body, the Security Commonwealth. The industry needs to work together to present the best image of its work, and to present itself as a sector that is easier to engage with (currently it appears fragmented). But do the competing priorities between associations, and the commercial rivalry among security companies render true collaboration difficult? How good are initiatives and how can they be improved?
Doors to the summit will open at 11.30am; lunch will be provided, and an exhibition of products and services will be on display. The event will finish at 5pm to give time for a change of clothing for the awards dinner from 6:45pm. You can book a Summit Delegate place for £45 plus VAT including lunch, entrance to the exhibition, summit, and afternoon refreshments at: https://uk.theospas.com/ospas-thought-leadership-summit/.
For the finalists in the 15 categories at the awards, visit https://uk.theospas.com/. A lifetime achievement award sponsored by The Security Institute is to be announced at the dinner.
About the OSPAs
The Outstanding Security Performance Awards by Prof Martin Gill’s consultancy Perpetuity Research run in several countries from Norway to Australia. Visit https://uk.theospas.com/about/.
