Russel Kerr, Managing Director of the guarding firm SecuriGroup, is one of those industry characters that makes a difference within our profession, writes our regular contributor Una Riley.
He graduated from the University of Aberdeen and joined the board of SecuriGroup in 2001, before his appointment as Managing Director in 2003. Kerr is the Chair of the Scottish Guarding section of the BSIA (British Security Industry Association). He is also a Governance Board Member of the Security Regulation Alliance. He continues to work closely with the sector’s regulator, the Security Industry Authority, where he was appointed to its Strategic Consultation Group in 2011. His involvement with the wider world of security does not stop there; he is a Governance Board Member of the UK Security Alliance and was recently appointed to the Executive Board of the CSSC (Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications) hub. The CSSC Scotland project began in January 2013 and represents a partnership between the public and private sectors in Scotland, as in the rest of Britain. It was set up in preparation for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2014 Ryder Cup and proved to be very successful.
Sharing
Now the CSSC facilitates the two-way sharing of safety, security, and resilience information between the public and private sectors so that businesses can make informed, appropriate decisions, keep their operations running and their people, assets, and customers safe. This ensures that as incidents take place, which impact on business, there is an authoritative voice giving a clear message to businesses. A very clear message from SecuriGroup is their quest for quality. The firm is focused on continuous improvement and prides itself on setting industry standards, by continually leading by example. One is their goal to reduce emissions. They did this by measuring and monitoring the company’s carbon footprint through the externally validated SCER (Streamlined Carbon Energy Reporting) scheme. This has not been an easy journey, but it started with understanding the business’ emissions; a vital first step towards reducing them. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions were assessed in accordance with HM Government’s Environmental Reporting Guidelines. Figures were calculated for ‘Scope 1’ and ‘Scope 2’ emissions which includes direct emissions from company vehicles.
Electric cars
I asked Kerr if he drove an all-electric car. He replied. “Yes, and SecuriGroup vehicle replacement strategy will see our entire mobile patrol fleet transitioning to fully electric vehicles by 2025. We have also addressed building related energy. The business also took the decision to voluntarily include ‘Scope 3’ emissions that lie outside the direct control of the company.” I enquired about what direct business benefits were attributable to going down this route. He said: “The core SecuriGroup purpose is to ‘strengthen society’, and protecting the environment is a key part of our corporate and social responsibility strategy. Being a Carbon Net-Zero business has allowed us to create a culture internally that acknowledges the science, acts to reduce the emissions, and advocates a low carbon future. Our carbon offset investments through the United Nations are supporting renewable energy and forestry projects, marine preservation and other projects that contribute to overall global development such as female education and water sanitisation projects across the world. The evolution of our mobile app, SecuriGo, by our in-house software development team has allowed us to commit to paper-less processes that continually drives efficiency. The digitisation of our data and reporting means we can provide our clients with tailored and intuitive dashboards that are live and available online.”
Net-zero journey
I remarked that as a founder and supporter of the new IPSA the introduction of the association app for all front-line officers and technicians is in keeping with this ethos. I asked if there was a ‘eureka moment’ that set him on this net-zero journey? He replied: “SecuriGroup has always been committed to the environment. We’ve held the internationally recognised standard for environmental management [ISO 14001] for over ten years. We have participated in the SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting) scheme since it was introduced by the UK Government in 2019. This has underpinned our approach to accurately measuring our carbon emissions. You can only manage what you can accurately measure. It was announced in September 2019, that the UK would host the UN Climate Change Summit, COP 26. We wanted to make sure that we played our part and wouldn’t allow the coronavirus pandemic to dent our ambition.”
Glasgow summit
Having seen the recent news reporting on the event it appears unsure if it will go ahead. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is battling to ensure the flagship November summit is held face-to-face by ensuring participants are vaccinated and subject to a testing regime. However, government sources suggest the Glasgow summit might still have to be delayed for a second time amid signs the pandemic is worsening in parts. It was postponed by from last November because of covid-19. The ultimate decision on the summit would be made with the United Nations as well as the Scottish government, rather than being a decision for Downing Street alone; so like many special occasions we will have to wait and see if the event can go ahead or not? Let’s hope that this is one occasion that goes ahead.
The one per cent
It is obvious that Kerr is proud of the business achievements. I asked him to elaborate on the company. He said: “SecuriGroup is ranked in the top one per cent of the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme and last year was the ‘ACS Champion of the Year’ at the Security & Fire Excellence Awards. We know how important the environment is to our people and we know how proud they are to be part of an organisation that takes its climate change commitments seriously. Having been an Investor in People Gold organisation for over 20 years we know that listening to our people allows us to support our frontline community. Our SecuriGroup Academy through its nationally accredited tutor-led qualifications and its award-winning online learning platform equips our people with the knowledge and skills they require to continue to deliver an exemplary service to our clients. Our people also benefit from the opportunity to participate in mentoring programmes, trade association working groups and last year we were delighted to support the re-launch of IPSA. Our very own, Deborah Stuart, proudly accepted the role of becoming IPSA’s first front-line forum chairman and a main board director”. As chief exec of IPSA, I can testify that she is doing a great job advocating the voice of the front-line. SecuriGroup have really facilitated this unique opportunity for one of their own to experience front-line to board room. In the true spirit of IiP. Top down, down up and from side to side. This is a great example of investing in people.
People asset
He went on to say: “As an IiP organisation since 1999, SecuriGroup understands that our greatest asset is our people. From board room to front line, the quality of our service relies on the quality of our staff: this is why we are committed to hiring and developing the best staff in the industry.” Baroness Ruth Henig was appointed SecuriGroup chair in 2014, and plays a pivotal role in steering company strategy, influencing service delivery to clients and shaping the future through best practice. Baroness Henig joined after two terms as chair of the SIA. A renowned public and private industry personality, with a genuine commitment to the wider world of security. Her reputation, skills and experience in policing are well documented. She served on the National Criminal Justice Board and Street Crime Action Group, chaired by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Work to zero
At the time of her appointment, it was a great move on behalf of SecuriGroup. At that time, the Home Office was preparing to reform the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and create a new regulatory system. Baroness Henig was instrumental in devising the new regulatory strategy and her in-depth knowledge ensured that SecuriGroup was well placed to meet the requirements. She is now immersed in the strategic plan to encourage everyone to take the challenge to become net-zero. I asked her what she thought of the SecuriGroup environmental pledge. She said: “We will continue to reduce our emissions through efficient processes and sustainable practices We will encourage and support our clients, staff and competitors to follow our net-zero example.” What a great example SecuriGroup are making for our profession. When Simon Pears, Chairman of IPSA took over the association in October, he was already on the road to revolutionising the association. He had been a member of the previous board that had closed the office premises and said ‘we will be the first security trade association in the UK to be Carbon Neutral.’ The difference of a net zero target includes a global scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions of the organisation, whereas Carbon Neutrality only requires scope 1 and 2.
SecuriGroup have inspired us to now work towards net-zero. We are no longer responsible for an energy eating office, furnished with power costs and paper generating printers and so on. At IPSA everything is now virtual as much as possible and will continue to be so post covid-19. The association will be app driven and paperless; even certificates wil be digital; .no post where possible. At IPSA we are already fired-up by SecuriGroup on the net-zero journey and it is thanks to their fine example and leading that will try to follow their example; what about you?
