The WiS (Women in Security) awards judges gathered as guests of Baroness Ruth Henig at the House of Lords on April 24 to celebrate their participation and commitment to these unique security profession awards, run by Professional Security magazine, Una Riley writes.
The judges represent the major lead bodies in the private security industry. They are the Association of Security Consultants (ASC), ASIS UK, BSIA, IPSA, FSA, NSI, Security Institute, SSAIB, SIA and the WCoSP (Worshipful Company of Security Professionals).
Baroness Henig, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords hosted an informal evening on behalf of the judges at the House of Lords. Roy Cooper and Liz Lloyd of Professional Security, and I arrived early to ensure we were there to greet the judges. As we entered through the Peers Entrance, the magnificence of the interior had immediate effect. After passing through security we ascended the elaborate Peers Staircase, then wound our way slowly to the contemporary bar close to the terrace. I couldn’t help but compare the interiors.
After the great fire of London in 1834, a competition was held to re-design the Houses of Parliament. Charles Barry won the competition to be architect. Barry turned to Augustus Welby Pugin, a 23-year-old architect and draughtsman for assistance in his drawings. Pugin was known as having devoted himself entirely to the pursuit of Gothic architecture. Sadly, neither of the men lived to see the completion of their work. Barry died and Pugin’s fragile health had suffered greatly from his exertions. Unhappily, the end of his life read like a Gothic Victorian novel. Pugin was committed to Bedlam (an asylum for the insane which is now the site of the Imperial War Museum in south London) for a short period and died soon after in 1852. Such a sad and tragic story that seems to befit the Gothic décor somehow?
I was soon shaken out of my reverie as we found ourselves at the bar. The reason for this soiree was to show our appreciation to the ILBs (Industry Lead Bodies) and their representative judges. Not all the judges could join us due to vacations or former commitments. We all congregated in the bar and after a brief welcome by Baroness Henig and a few words from me, we quickly settled into an enjoyable evening. This year the host of the PSM-WiS Awards is the Fire and Security Association (FSA). Steve Martin, Head of the FSA and Director of Technical for the electrical trade association ECA is the main host, and one of our judges. Steve Martin has always been a great supporter of the awards. I asked him how he felt about this year. He said: “The FSA is delighted to be hosting this year’s Women in Security Awards which brings all the security industry elements together, recognising one common goal. The Security Awards provide recognition for progress and commitment in the security industry. We always receive, and look forward to receiving, a plethora of strong and impressive nominations that underpin the high quality and standards of our industry. The security industry is immense and diverse therefore, nominations from all who are involved in security, in any form, are welcomed. Nominees go above-and-beyond, exceeding the requirements of their day jobs.
“Our industry is dynamic and multi-faceted, providing immensely satisfying roles that enable individuals to maximise their skills, knowledge, experience, and professionalism to impact upon national, local, and business security. The results of which deserve recognition and appreciation.”
The FSA will host the awards on the Dixie Queen riverboat on Thursday, September 13. She will sail from the pier at the Tower of London, for an evening of celebration. Last year the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) hosted the awards on board the ‘Harmony’ Cruise Boat of Bateaux London. We seem to have a nautical theme going! Last year’s winners were, Siobhan Plunket of GSLS, in the Security manager category; Michelle Bailey of guarding contractor Active Response in the industry category; Samantha Bamford of Pelco by Schneider in the technical category; and Keeley Watson, Wilson James Limited for the front-line category. All such worthy winners and women who are contributing to the wider world of security and being recognised for their commitment to the profession.
Talking of commitment to the profession … Baroness Ruth Henig was one of the original founder judges. It was 2011 when I first contacted the chiefs of the various security industry lead bodies, seeking support for the Women in Security Awards. The response initially was great with a couple of others having to be persuaded to come on board at the beginning. However, once we had representation from all the recognised security industry luminary, this award was born. I then had to ensure that it would be implemented in an independent way. I immediately turned to John Cully, the publisher of Professional Security Magazine, to ask if he would support the initiative. In his inimitable fashion, he agreed that the magazine would provide the platform for this exclusive award … and as they say the rest is history.
Roy Cooper, Managing Director of Professional Security Magazine took the enterprise on and together we co-present the award each year. However, before that stage a lot of work goes on behind the scenes. Roy and I prepare the final nominations to present to the judges. I deal with the judges’ matrix and Liz Lloyd is responsible for the event management and liaison with all concerned. Event planning is not an easy job, but each year Liz ensures that on the night it goes smoothly and professionally. The awards have come a long way and the first presentation in 2012 at the ASIS Europe conference, in London that year. Many of the associations involved as judges now recognise the achievements of women within their own organisations, which is commendable. However, there is nothing to compare to this exceptional approach of one unified voice sending out a message to the entire security profession that the industry recognises the contribution of women within the wider world of security. We recognise the women who have contributed to the security industry and its success. The women that have helped shape it into the profession it is today. One such woman is Baroness Henig, former chairman of the Security Industry Authority. I asked her, as one of the first judges, if she thought that it has been an asset to the industry or just another award in the scheme of things. She replied: “I was supportive of this unique award from the very beginning. It demonstrates better than any other initiative that the entire industry can come together with one voice. The message of unification has permeated the security profession regarding this award … I called it the ‘Oscars’ of awards back in 2012! Since that time, we have received interest from around the world seeking to replicate this award. We have also had global nominations with past winners from the USA attending the event only to pick-up the award and fly back immediately after receiving it; a long journey but considered worthy by Microsoft. The calibre of nominations grows each year. The judges have a difficult task on their hands. I now act as an honorary judge for the PSM-WiS Awards. My services have been called upon to cast the final vote on a couple of occasions.”
The SIA were massive supporters when I started this process; in fact we had our first judges’ meeting at the SIA office in Holborn. Bill Butler former CEO of the SIA was as enthusiastic as I was to get this off the ground and did everything in his power to help. The current chairman of the SIA, Liz France is just as enthusiastic. I was next to her at our judges get-together, so we were able to spend some time chatting. We talked about the past and current environment for WiS and of course the awards. We were all very eager to hear about the 2018 nominations pouring in as Roy Cooper talked openly about the numbers of applicants and the superb calibre already received. After the event I asked Liz France to comment on the evening. She said enthusiastically: “We’re off! The competition for this year’s Women in Security Awards has begun. The judges all confirmed the importance they attach to PSM-WIS Awards. After hearing about the nominations coming in, it looks as if the field will be bigger and stronger than ever. There are brilliant women out there whose contribution deserves celebration, whether they are eventual winners. They point the way for others and show how much they have to offer the industry, as well as highlighting the range of opportunities open. Let’s use their examples to encourage other women to pursue a career in the security industry.”
Agreed. I then turned to Richard Jenkins, CEO, NSI for comment. He said: “Women in Security demonstrates the contribution women can and are making in the security industry. As in all walks-of-life the realisation that women are ‘just part of the workforce’ … like anyone else is not extraordinary. This is highlighted by the extraordinary contributions of the finalists in the Women in Security Awards over the years, the energy they bring and the stories they have to tell. At NSI we are very pleased that our services auditor team comprises a balance of men and women that reflects our aspirations. In the more technical areas of systems installations we have struggled to find women applicants never mind short list them for many years. A breath of fresh air then in 2018 that the first woman systems auditor joined our ranks. Progress is better late than never!
“That is great news. Best wishes to PSM-WiS for inspiring more and more women and conveying the news there really is a role in security for them.”
James Kelly, CEO of the BSIA was one of the early hosts of the awards and has been a supporter from the beginning. We were only able to grab a quick chat as the evening had flown by but one thing we agreed on is that we should have a judges’ evening each year! We were talking about things all BSIA and in particular the London office and everything that is happening at the BSIA at the minute. I intend to catch up with James Kelly soon and find out more about what is happening, post-IFSEC.
Speaking of IFSEC, I would like to recognise the sponsors of this event – one is IFSEC! Thank you to the FSA for hosting the 2018 awards and NSI, BSIA, Norbain, IFSEC, G4S, HIK Vision, Gratte Brothers, Security Institute and the SSAIB for their generous sponsorship.
