The RAF Club, London was again the venue for the Association of Security Consultants (ASC) annual awards luncheon on June 13, sponsored by Samsung Techwin. The ASC Chairman, Allan Hildage, presided and two of the ASC Patrons, Lord Peter Imbert and Lord James Bethell were among attenders. Tom Lloyd, QPM, MA(Oxon), International Drugs Policy Advisor and former Cambridgeshire Chief Constable gave a thought provoking after-lunch speech on the prohibition of illegal drugs, well received by the 100 members and guests.
As part of its professional development, the ASC wishes to encourage the promotion of ideas for the advancement of risk and security management in the UK through the award of an annual prize. Named after Lord Peter Imbert, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and known as the Imbert Prize. The prize comprises three separate awards:
First, the University Dissertation Award. It includes a prize of £1,000 for a selected dissertation submitted by an academic institution. Cranfield, Leicester, Loughborough and Portsmouth universities were invited to submit one of their students’ dissertations, which must be relevant to consultancy in security. An award panel appointed by the ASC went through the dissertations. The panel was independent of any institution submitting dissertations and was made up of members appointed by the chairman of the ASC, the ASC board and such other members required for the purpose of adjudication. As in previous years, the standard of submissions was excellent and made the adjudication very difficult as stated by Lord Imbert when making the awards and commending all finalists for their efforts.
This year’s finalists were:
Christine Boseley, University of Portsmouth – “Workplace Violence in Healthcare”
Christopher Newman, Loughborough University, – “Countering Maritime Piracy in the 21st century”
David Paterson, Leicester University – “Is there a link between staff satisfaction and the level of shrinkage with a retail store?”
Iain Gibson, Cranfield University – “The Effects of Regulation on the International Private Security Industry”
The winner: Iain Gibson from Cranfield.
A security associations award is presented to the person making the most notable contribution in the security industry in the preceding year, nominated by ASIS, BSIA, IPSA and the Security Institute, as adjudged by the ASC panel.
This year saw the nominations for two outstanding candidates who had, in their own right, made significant but differing contributions to the security industry as a whole, not just in the previous year but the recent past.
Don Randall, MBE, was nominated by ASIS for his work in promoting security generally within the City of London, and more nationally as the chairman and driving force behind Project Griffin, founder of the Safer Buildings Accreditation Scheme and various other security related initiatives.
Baroness Ruth Henig, CBE, DL, was nominated by BSIA, IPSA and the Security Institute for her significant contribution to the industry as the former chair of the Security Industry Authority in overseeing particularly difficult time and enabled the industry as a whole to bring pressure to ensure a new fit-for-purpose regulatory regime. As a previous chair and president of the Police Association Authorities and other police and security related appointments she was also and very worthy nominee.
The adjudication panel recognised the exceptional contribution that both nominees had made and felt that both should be formerly rewarded for their efforts. According, it was decided that both Don Randall and Baroness Henig should be joint recipients of the associations’ award for 2013. Don Randall was unable to attend the luncheon and Mike Alexander, chairman of ASIS UK accepted the award on his behalf.
The ASC award is presented to the ASC member who has made the most significant contribution to independent security consultancy in the preceding year, nominated by the members of the ASC, as adjudged by the ASC panel.
Chris Roberts, a long standing ASC Board Member and Treasurer was nominated for his efforts in helping to drive the ASC forward and Mike Bluestone, an associate member, for his overall efforts in promoting the ASC and security consultancy as a whole through his former appointment as chairman of the Security Institute. Again the Panel decided that both nominees should be formally recognised. Accordingly, Chris Roberts and Mike Bluestone jointly received the ASC award for 2013.
The ASC Chairman thanked all concerned and involved for making the event such a success. The 2014 ASC luncheon will be at the RAF Club on Thursday, June 26, where it will additionally and jointly, be hosting the Women in Security Awards.
Other forthcoming ASC events in 2013 include:
June 27- Hackerthon Debate at Loughborough University. Topic: “What is the Future for Security Consultancy?”
October 3- CONSEC, London Heathrow Marriott Hotel.
November 29 – ASC Annual Dinner at the House of Lords.
For further details and to reserve your place at future ASC events – contact the ASC secretary:
[email protected] or ring: 01636 643595.
