First Response Group (FRG), a leading security and facilities management company, has won the Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award and Contract Manager of the Year Award for Wembley Stadium, plus recognition in several other categories at the prestigious Security & Fire Excellence Awards this week. This industry accolade recognises FRG’s unwavering commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the security industry.
The ceremony also celebrated individual excellence, with ex international rugby player Alex Philiotis achieving a historic milestone by winning the Security Manager of the Year Award for the second year in a row, the first person in the 25-year history of these awards to do so. This recognition underscores the calibre of leadership driving innovation and excellence within the security sector.
Founded in 2007 by African immigrants Edgar Chibaka and Jamal Tahlil, FRG has grown from humble beginnings into a £60 million turnover enterprise. The co-founders, who arrived in the UK in 2007, faced significant challenges, including discrimination and financial hurdles, even resorting to funding their business with a credit card in its early days. Their perseverance and dedication were recognised nationally in 2021 when they were jointly named Black British Business Persons of the Year.
As an Ethnic Minority-Owned Business (EMB), diversity and inclusion are integral to FRG’s operations. The company adheres to the six pillars of inclusion – Engage, Equip, Empower, Embed, Evaluate, and Evolve – and was the first security company in the UK to achieve accreditation via the Inclusive Employers Standard. It is also a Disability Confident Committed employer, has committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and signed the GLAA Construction Protocol, outlining FRG’s commitment to abolishing modern slavery.
Additionally, the company is a member of the Security Industry EDI Forum, to lead change and promote best practise at an industry level and actively participates in initiatives such as National Inclusion Week and Living Wage Week.
Simon Alderson, First Response Group’s CEO and co-owner, said: “Winning the Diversity and Inclusion Champion and Contract Manager of the Year for Wembley Stadium is a profound honour and reflects the values at the heart of First Response Group.
“As a business founded by two former security officers with firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by the frontline workforce and a vision to create opportunities for all, we are committed to breaking barriers, championing inclusion, and driving meaningful change within our industry. This recognition underscores our belief that diversity is not just a strength, it’s the foundation for innovation, collaboration, and success.”
Speaking on his win, stadium and events director, Alex Philiotis, said:
“Winning Security Manager of the Year for the second time in a row is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone in the industry striving to raise the bar for excellence.
“Overseeing security operations at iconic venues like Wembley Stadium has been a career highlight, where teamwork and innovation are essential to ensuring safety and an exceptional experience for millions of visitors.”
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