An event security and stewarding company MD has spoken of drawing encouragement from a discussion of proposed extra licencing in a meeting with the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
Showsec’s Managing Director Mark Harding met with Bill Butler, Chief Executive of the SIA, and Christy Hopkins, Head of Transition, on their visit to the company’s head office in Leicester, when he reaffirmed a rational argument relating to some of the proposed changes on behalf of many throughout the security industry. Pictured outside are left to right Hopkins, Butler and Harding.
As chairman of the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association, Harding says he’s represented the views of many security specialists, particularly those companies employing part-time staff, in voicing concerns to the SIA about aspects of the proposed transition to business licencing.
After his meeting, Mark Harding said: “The fact that both parties have exchanged ideas and concerns about the next phase of business licencing is due to the credibility of the crowd management industry, a commitment to the idealism of the SIA and years of nurturing professional and organisational relationships with that authority, not to mention their willingness to engage with industry.
“Therefore, we were delighted that Bill and Christy took the time to come here to listen to what we have to say. It also provided them with an opportunity to experience the professionalism of our back office and support services, while also demonstrating how the industry has progressed. The case that the UKCMA has been arguing all the way through this process is important to the progression of the industry as a whole. Industry success is fundamentally attributable to the independent governance by the SIA and the cohesive effect it has had on industry.
“The UKCMA believes this ongoing governance is paramount to future success and is fully in favour of business licencing. However, the primary commercial concern raised by members is the disproportionate cost of business licencing for companies utilising part-time staff. In essence, the UKCMA does not want to be burdened with another disproportionate charge, similar to the one levied under the Approved Contractor Scheme. It wants to see a much fairer distribution of the financial burden. What we’re trying to secure is a future for the industry.”
Harding, who also sits on the Strategic Advisory Group for the SIA and is part of the Security Alliance Group, adds: “We want one where there is the capacity for new companies to regenerate the industry, where there are unified standards, where there are businesses acting legitimately and where there are career paths for individuals. The reality is, however, that the impact of that transition will be very challenging in terms of it leading to more administration, while the premiums are disproportionate for companies employing part-time staff.”
The UKCMA adds that it represents in the region of 20pc of the SIA licence holders in the country, through direct work or sub-contracting.
“We have a strong voice, a positive approach to finding industry wide solutions and have aligned industry development with the SIA idealism. It is to be hoped that we can find a positive solution to a commercial concern. I would like to thank Bill and Christy for coming here to listen to our argument.”
