After completing his time as director of security and resilience for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Sir Ian Johnston has become non-executive Chairman of Copernicus Security.
Sir Ian held several senior police positions including Assistant Commissioner; Metropolitan Police and Chief Constable of British Transport Police.
Dr Jurek Tolloczko, Managing Director of Copernicus said: “I am delighted that Sir Ian has agreed to be our chairman. His vast experience of policing and security will add to our rapidly growing capability. Copernicus Security’s associates are experienced professionals from policing, military and civilian security backgrounds. We offer our public and private sector clients’ practical and effective physical and operational security services.
“Copernicus Security has been established to deliver integrated security utilising best practice and hands-on experience. Our design and operational services are based on our pragmatic approach to reducing all aspects of risk to as low as reasonably practical. We offer our clients a balance between engineering, technology and human security operations commensurate to current and future threat levels, yet being appreciative of our clients’ needs to balance security, operations and expenditure.
“I had the great pleasure of working with Sir Ian during my time with the London 2012 Games where his professionalism, expertise and drive helped deliver the successful security overlay for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I am delighted with Sir Ian’s appointment as our Chairman and look forward to working with him.”
About Dr Jurek Tolloczko
He began his career in the area of Hazards Risk Management and Design after the Piper Alpha disaster in the North Sea in 1988. During the following eight years he became an international expert in the design and risk mitigation of petrochemical facilities both on and off-shore. He was responsible for the development of design guidance through an extensive global industry testing and development programme. He was involved in the transition of offshore safety responsibility to the HSE and training of HSE inspectors.
After 9/11, he was responsible for the development, testing, design and installation of the first surface mounted Hostile Vehicle Mitigation scheme that was deployed at the UK Houses of Parliament. Working with NACTSO, CPNI and the Home Office, he was involved in establishing the National Barrier Asset that is now widely used by Government and police around the UK.
Having been involved with the design of high profile security projects, in the public and private sectors, he helped establish, as founding chairman, the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association, the PSSA.
In late 2011, he was appointed as London 2012 Protective Security Systems Manager, to oversee the final design, installation and operations of perimeter security including fencing, integrated security systems, HVM and blast mitigation for all competition and non-competition venues. During the games period, he was the lead responsible for all physical security operating within the Games Security Command Centre that also included search and screening equipment and operations.
His employment with the Games concluded at the end of September when he established Copernicus Security (CopeSec). CopeSec is an association of security people, many having been employed by London 2012 Security & Resilience.
About Sir Ian Johnston
Sir Ian Johnston served 44 years as a police officer, starting his career with the Metropolitan Police in 1965. During his early life in the Met he served in a variety of posts, both in uniform and CID Departments, in inner and outer London including Soho and Brixton, as well as the Regional Crime Squad, the Crime Policy Department and the Public Order Department.
In January 1999 Sir Ian became Assistant Commissioner for Central London and assumed responsibility for policing all large events such as the Millennium Celebrations, Notting Hill Carnival and many major demonstrations.
In the early part of 2000, the MPS went through a re-structuring process and Sir Ian took on a new role as Assistant Commissioner Territorial Policing, which included overseeing the 32 London Boroughs, as well as control of Operational Support Units at New Scotland Yard.
He was appointed Chief Constable of British Transport Police (BTP) on 1 May 2001. During his eight years as chief of the force, he was responsible for a major re-organisation as well as managing the response to terrorist attacks.
He is married with two sons. In his spare time he enjoys keeping fit by jogging and walking, and is Chairman of a boys’ football club in Orpington, a role he has held for more than 25 years.
In the New Year’s Honours 1995, he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal and in the Birthday Honours 2001, he was awarded a CBE. In the Birthday Honours of 2009, he was awarded a Knighthood.
In September 2009, he was appointed Director of Security and Resilience for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
