Interviews

Manifesto launch

by Mark Rowe

An ambitious manifesto for the security profession and its work with government and society was launched by the chairman of the Security Institute, Emma Shaw, at a gathering in central London last night.

In a wide-ranging speech to introduce a 22-page document, she made an appeal to the security sector and wider groups. Among her proposals:

– a ‘security commonwealth’ where security bodies including the Security Institute come together on an equal basis;
– a ‘security information service’, a website (sponsored by the industry and possibly government) to offer advice on security, whether personal, travel or cyber;
– a ‘security careers advisory service’ to show security as a career to school-leavers and university students; and
– a ‘joint security associations lobbying group’ to speak on behalf of UK security sector associations.

Speaking at the Churchill War Rooms in Westminster, she closed her speech with words of Winston Churchill: “I never worry about action, only inaction.” She added: “So let us develop this profession through action, and then we don’t have to worry about any inaction. I genuinely believe we have an opportunity to create something great for our profession so please work together to make it so.” She added to the audience of about 150 from all branches of UK private security: “It is a big step forward and we look forward to working with you all.”

As a sign of how large the changes set out might be, Emma Shaw raised the possibility that if necessary the Security Institute might be subsumed into some other body. The manifesto document, and Emma Shaw’s speech, admitted ‘complexities’ in the way of the manifesto’s goals, such as a lack of unity in the security profession; security management failing to speak the language of business; security below the radar of many; security lacking clear career paths, and instead being a second career for former military or police people; and security not recognised as professional.

Emma Shaw, after an opening talk by institute vice-chairman Garry Evanson, thanked Lord Carlile, and Bill Butler, who next year is retiring as chief executive of the Security Industry Authority, for their work on reviewing the draft manifesto. She also singled out among the attenders the institute founding chairman Geoff Whitfield, past chairman Mike Bluestone, and the former Labour MP and campaigner for regulation of private security Bruce George. The occasion was also the 15th anniversary of the institute. Looking to the next 15 years, Emma Shaw hoped for more cohesion in the security sector.

Sponsors of the event were the risk consultancy Inkerman Group, whose CEO Gerald Moor was among attenders; and Clarion Events, who run the annual Counter Terror Expo.

More in the January print issue of Professional Security magazine. Download the manifesto from the institute website.

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