Una's blog

Worshipful Company

by Mark Rowe

There will not be many of you out there that have not heard of the WCoSP (Worshipful Company of Security Professionals). It was established in 1999 and this year it will celebrate its 20th year.

Initially membership of the Company was drawn mainly from the security industry. However, we decided early on that our catchment area would be the ‘wider world of security’. We wanted to include leading security professionals from the recognised private security industry, retail sectors, manufacturers, distribution, and representation from the SILBs (Security Industry Lead Bodies).

The wider world of security also included security consultants, academics, heads of security for corporate businesses, investigators, and electronic systems and surveillance practitioners. Once we welcomed military affiliation into the company, we also started to have more members from the armed forces and the police. In those early days of the company we had a vision of attaining Worshipful status in record time. There were hurdles to jump before the GoSP (Guild of Security Professionals) could become a company without Livery and then a company with full Worshipful status.

It all depended on time and money … as well as abiding by and respecting the City of London values and traditions. The private security profession willingly took it upon themselves to raise the cash that we required, and their generosity and commitment was dedicated to the security industry being recognised as a profession. One of the benchmarks has been attaining Chartered status.

With the Security Institute we have developed the Register of Chartered Security Professionals … all those registered have the title of Chartered Security Professionals and may use the post-nominal CSyP. In 1999 when we started the Company, one of our aims was to become known as the charitable arm of the profession. At that time other bodies had their own charitable fund, but they supported the company by handing over their funds to the company that the industry was seen to be united in its quest.

The BSIA contributed their entire charitable fund and with others committed to the aims of the Guild and the prospective WCoSP. Initially, there were those who said ‘What’s in it for me’? We explained about the City of London core values and that for once this was an opportunity to put something back in to the profession that had given them a livelihood. We also outlined the many routes of involvement including attending the Company luncheons and dinners, sporting events and other informal gatherings such as visiting the College of Arms for supper to tasting chocolate in the iconic Old Bailey. There are so many opportunities to simply participate and enjoy the fellowship of others within the wider world of security.

On the other hand, members can totally immerse themselves in the full City of London Livery movement experience. They may become Freemen of the City of London and Liverymen of the Company. Liverymen vote in the annual elections of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. Members could also become involved with the various committees responsible for the fund raising, marketing, finance, and general purposes of the Company. If members want to go through the Chair of the company and become Master, there is a straightforward route or perhaps being a Trustee of the company might appeal.

The Clerk of the company, Tricia Boswell is the axis of the organisation. Whilst Masters come and go, the steady influence of the Clerk remains the constant point of control and day to day management of the organisation. In fact, our first Clerk, John Purnell is also a founder of the company. Since the start of the GoSP the fundraising and sponsorship of the company has been paramount and still is.

The WCoSP Charitable Trust Fund (Registered Charity Number 1088658) provides education and health services to members of the security professional community and makes donations for other charitable purposes. It also sponsors the Sheriffs’ Award and manages The Security Benevolent Fund. That we can disburse donations we have to ensure that we have collected funds along the way. This is only done by the generosity of our members and guests attending functions and of course our sponsors. The WCoSP has sponsored The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers Children’s Magical Taxi Tour to Disneyland Paris each year for children with life-threatening illnesses. This event in itself is one of the most memorable for the Masters of the company. I still remember my year as Master and all the prestigious events that one attends making exciting presentations on behalf of the company, such as the mini-bus presented to the Bexley Business Academy and the wonder of the Whittington Course. There are a lot of events in the Masters year but the one event that always prevails is the children heading to Disney. Although the Master is the one that might present the donations and accolades on behalf of the company … it is the members and the sponsors that make it all possible. I was at lunch some time ago with Dermot Grace, former Managing Director of Norbain. Grace had been a huge sponsor of the company. I enquired as to why he didn’t attend the events and dinners any more? He said: “I no longer feel that the company represents the private security profession. It seems to have lost contact with its origins. It is more like a police and military Livery these days.”

He is not the only one to have made that judgement. Is it just a perception or is it a reality? Either way it is time for the private security industry members to fully re-engage with the WCoSP that they helped build. I would therefore, like to encourage all the companies that used to be heavily involved with the WCoSP but have fallen by the wayside to participate once again.

People move around or retire so it is also time to reach out to the new people in the private security industry. Just for the record Norbain are still valued supporters of the company. Charitable donations can be tax deductible so even the government encourages people to make the most of being able to put something back into the profession that has provided us with a good living. You can thus enjoy all the benefits of the Livery movement whilst knowing that you are doing good and helping those who need it. The next shout out is for women to join the WCoSP. We are soon to have another female Master. Yasmeen Stratton (pictured left, with 2018-19 Master Phillip Hagon) will be only the second female Master since we started in 1999 when elected. We need more women in security to join the WCoSP.

If you are interested in joining the company contact me via the Clerk: [email protected]

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