At a live-streamed virtual ceremony, the 2021 UK OSPAs (Outstanding Security Performance Awards) winners were announced.
OSPAs founder Prof Martin Gill of Perpetuity Research said: “The security sector can feel very proud; it has not only stepped up to the mark during these unusual times but has gone above and beyond – which is evidenced by all of the finalists and especially the winners. These awards are firmly based on the skills, behaviours and performance that lead to true, sustainable success, and as such the stories of our winners’ achievements provide a valuable benchmark for those working in the sector.”
The 2021 UK OSPA winners were:
– In-house security manager/director: Tracey Edwards – Southern Health NHS Trust
– Contract Security Manager/Director: David Evans – STM Group (UK) Ltd
– Security Equipment Manufacturer: IDIS
– Security Consultant: Richard Sumner – RS Security Consultants
– Security Team: Mitie and Sainsbury’s BLITZ Teams
– Customer Service Initiative: contractor STM Group (UK) Ltd and Network Rail
– Security Installer/Integrator: Astra Security
– Event Security Team: Liverpool HMS Prince of Wales (Operation Heartland) Team – FGH Security
– Security Training Initiative: ACT Awareness eLearning – Highfield e-learning with M&S and NaCTSO
– Security Partnership: TINYg Information Sharing Partnership
– New Security Product: Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) App – URIM in partnership with M&S and NaCTSO
– Cyber Security Initiative: North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC)
– Young Security Professional: Hannah Booth – Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
– Security Officer: Sammy Wightman – Axien Security; and
– Contract Security Company (Guarding): Axis Security.
An unshortlisted ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award went to Jason Towse, at the contractor Mitie, pictured.
The event had guest appearances from Paul Sinha (also known as The Sinnerman from ITV’s The Chase) and Alan Dedicoat, ‘The Voice of the Balls’ from the National Lottery on TV.
Summaries of all the winners can be found on the OSPAs website at www.uk.theospas.com. For the shortlisted finalists, click here.
The event organisers would like to thank all those who have helped to make the virtual UK OSPAs: TEAM Software (headline sponsor); Edith Cowan University (trophies and certificates); trade association ADS, Bidvest Noonan, Cap Index, Cordant Security, CIS Security, Interserve First Security, event firm Nineteen Group, the inspectorate NSI, Skills for Security, TrackTik and the Security Institute (award categories). Also, the supporting industry associations, judges and media partners. Visit https://uk.theospas.com/.
For more about next year’s awards, and the OSPAs in other countries, email [email protected].
