As part of The Security Institute’s celebrations of its 15th anniversary the organisation has spoken to 15 key members to take a look back at how the Institute and the industry has evolved in that time.
Here are the members and their stories.
Chris Smith – Head of Security & Fraud Risk, Asia Pacific, HSBC
I have had the great privalege of being part of the Security Insitute’s founding team that was galvanised by the irrepressible Geoff Whitfield. The rest is history!
Stephanie Daman – Chief Executive Officer, Cyber Security Challenge UK
The Security Institute is a thriving organisation, very in touch with its membership and keen on supporting the next generation of security professionals – its a no brainer!
Trevor Gannon – Director, Global Corporate Security
The Institute was an opportunity for me to join a group of like minded professionals who were passionate about the industry and keen to develop and promote best practice and standards and, for the industry to be truly recognised as a professional industry.
Mike Sixmith – Director, Counterpoint Security Consultants Ltd
The Security Institute represents recognition by the founders of the need for the security industry to become more professional and to regulate itself.
Robert James (Jim) Evans – Director of Risk Consulting, G4S Risk Management
I joined the Institute because I wanted to turn my military qualifications and experience into something more easily recognised by the commercial security industry.
Donna Alexander – Director of General Security, ICTS (UK) Ltd
The opportunities for networking were very restricted in the late 80’s and I welcomed the opportunity to meet with colleagues from around the country who were keen to develop our industry in terms of professionlism and knowledge accreditation.
Phil Wood – Head of Security, Resilience and Computing, Buckinghamshire New University
My initial motivation was to become better networked and knowledgeable about the security “industry” as a relative newcomer to it. However, as time has gone on my motivations have changed and are now more complementary to my role in education.
Mark Lewis – Corporate Security Advisor, RWE
The Institute provides me with the ability to talk with my peers, bench mark my role and the existing and new equipment coming on to the market.
Tony Bygraves – Chief Executive, MRFS Group
Since joining I have enjoyed some of the networking events, made several friends and also created some business opportunities from being a member.
Blaine Gillam – Team Lead, Security and Technical Operations, The City of Calgary
For the short period of time I have been a member I have seen the Institute grow. It has brought in well known and active security professionals that have a desire to move the Institute forward. It is an exciting time to be a part of the Institute.
Mark Lindsay – Head of Security for a major energy corporation in the Middle East
I joined the Institute as it gives me the official recognition by peers of the level of achievement in the industry, networking, knowledge transfer, hope to contribute to the industry in the future.
Colin Myers – Forces Duties Manager, Surrey Police
I joined the Institute after learning about it whilst completing my BSc (Hons) degree in Risk & Security Management. I became a member to compliment my academic studies in learning about security and the private security industry from trusted and experienced professionals.
Stuart Craik – Head of Security, The National History Museum
It’s very hard to capture a wealth of experience and skills in the security profession into an easily communicated, understood and respected manner. Being accepted as a member of the Security Institute provides me with that validation and allows others in the Museum to have confidence in my previous experience.
Alan JE Gardner – Enfield Public Safety Centre Manager, London Borough of Enfield
The networking and professional support from Institute members and access to experience and skills sets is unsurpassed elsewhere.
James Attridge – Security Manager, The Royal Mint
I first heard of the Security Institute at a Security Seminar where I met a number of members who told me all about the fantastic range of benefits available. Once I joined, I quickly made lots of contacts and developed a great support network. I also sought advice on professional development and enrolled on the Security Management course with Perpetuity Training.
