The NSI (National Security Inspectorate) stand at IFSEC International at ExceL London, was a busy place last week, whether it was the record number of service providers seeking to discuss certification requirements, existing approved companies and specifiers, or the return of NSI’s owl mascot, ‘Cash’, treated like a celebrity with many keen to take photos and selfies.
Three NSI staffers took part in well attended seminars. Tony Weeks, Head of Technical Services was one of a panel on the trends and future of the security industry; Clare Crump, auditor, gave a talk with Tony Porter, Surveillance Camera Commissioner, on the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice and what constitutes good operational practice; and Chris Hayes, Operations Manager, provided guidance on how to choose a competent fire risk assessor.
NSI formally launched the Women in Security (WiS) awards at a drinks reception on its stand. As official hosts of this year’s awards ceremony on the evening of Thursday, September 14, on board the Harmony cruise boat of Bateaux London, Richard Jenkins, NSI Chief Executive, announced that nominations for this year are now open. Una Riley, the awards founder, shared her original thinking in creating the awards and how they continue to play an important role within today’s security sector. Roy Cooper, MD of Professional Security magazine and organiser of the awards, encouraged industry representatives to nominate colleagues who have gone above and beyond their role to make a significant contribution to the industry.
The Engineers of Tomorrow competition, another regular feature of IFSEC International of which NSI has been a stakeholder since it began nearly 20 years ago, was a spectacle for visitors, showing the skills and talent of apprentices and young engineers. NSI auditors Gary Hurst and Bill Baillie provided adjudicator support to oversee the competitors, who worked in pairs pitting their skills against the clock. Richard Jenkins presented the heat winners’ prizes at the end of the first day with this year’s heat winners being Corrie Stewart and Martin Hannaway, who both study at New College Lanarkshire.
Three NSI Gold approved company presentations took place on the NSI stand with all three companies receiving recognition for their transition to the latest 2015 edition of ISO 9001. Representatives were: Neil Alexander, Director, from Eclipse (IP) Ltd in Dumfermline, John Helas, Managing Director of Stanley Security Solutions in Swindon and Dean Agg, Manager of Pyrotec Services in Abingdon.
Richard Jenkins said after the show: “We were absolutely delighted by the level of interest in NSI’s certification services at this year’s IFSEC. It was an excellent opportunity to meet on a one-to-one basis with companies who are looking to start their journey in certification and to spend time with specifiers and representatives from our approved companies. A highlight was launching this year’s Women in Security Awards event taking place in September. Based upon the launch turnout I hope everyone will submit their nominations and book their place to recognise and celebrate success within our industry.”
Picture courtesy of the NSI; staff at the stand, in the Installer World part of the IFSEC 2017 show floor.
