Mike Bluestone, Ian Dyson and Don Randall
The Chartered Security Professionals’ Registration Authority (CSPRA) have appointed Ian Dyson QPM DL as their new Chair with immediate effect. Mr. Dyson replaces Baroness Henig of Lancaster CBE DL who sadly passed away earlier this year.
CSPRA is the body that oversees the admission, governance and maintenance of the Register of Chartered Security Professionals (RCSP) and is appointed by the Worshipful
Company of Security Professionals, who own the Register. Successful security management requires proven competencies across a range of technical disciplines including strategy, cyber security, risk and project management, leadership, regulation, communications, and reporting. Before 2010 in the UK, there was no independent professional qualification which was based on assessments carried out within the working environment. The launch of the Register by the WCoSP benefits the entire security sector, and thereby business, communities and individuals.
The current Master of the WCoSP Russell Penny said “I am delighted that Ian has recognised how the Register brings benefit and is prepared to take on being the Independent Chair of the Regulation Authority. His knowledge, presence and experience will be a very welcome addition, and on behalf of the Worshipful Company, I welcome him onboard”.
Don Randall MBE CSyP was Master of the WCoSP when the Register was launched and has himself a distinguished career in the City of London Police, before moving into the commercial sector. He played a key role in the original team who set the criteria for CSyP when it was launched in 2011 and was instrumental in introducing Mr. Dyson to the Register.
He said “Following the sad passing of Lady Ruth, filling the role of CSPRA Chairman was never going to be easy. We were therefore delighted when Ian, the former Commissioner of the City of London Police accepted WCoSP’s invitation to become the new Chairman. Ian throughout his policing career has always exercised wise judgement, compassion and understanding in his deliberations and decision making. These qualities Lady Ruth practised in abundance, and we are sure she would fully endorse Ian’s appointment. Welcome to the Team, Ian.”
Ian spent most of his life in London. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1983, straight from university, working across a range of different disciplines. For eleven years, Ian was a public order trained senior officer with extensive experience of commanding the policing of large public events, including 18 Notting Hill Carnivals. He then joined Surrey Police as Assistant Chief Constable in June 2008, and then City of London Police as Commander in September 2010 becoming the chief officer lead on Economic Crime and expanding the Force’s national fraud responsibilities. He was also the National Police lead for Contact Management and led the national roll out for the 101 non-emergency number. Two years later he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner leading business change, and performance within the Force.
He was promoted to Commissioner in January 2016 and led the force through challenging times of financial constraint, and two terror attacks on London Bridge in 2017 and 2019.
During this time, Ian was the National Police Lead for Fraud, Economic Crime, Cyber Crime, Financial Investigations and Business Crime. He was also the National Police lead on Technology and Information Management, and for 6 years was the National Police Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO). He retired from the Police Service after 38 years in January 2022.
He is now trustee of several charities and sits as a NED or Advisor to a number of companies in the crime, tech or cyber security sectors. He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 2016, is a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and in 2022 became a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) for Greater London.
In commenting on his appointment, Mr Dyson said “It is a huge privilege to be taking on the role of Chair of CSPRA and in doing so I pay tribute to Ruth Henig, who was an exemplary Chair and widely respected both inside and outside the industry. During my time in the City of London police I saw the impressive work of the Security Institute and the Worshipful Company, in helping to professionalise the security industry and I hope to continue to build on the excellent work done to date.”
He was able to meet a large cohort of volunteer assessors at a special celebratory gathering hosted by Corps Security at their London HQ on Thursday 30th May. All assessors are themselves Chartered Security Professionals and are specially trained to offer their support to potential registrants through mentoring, document assessing and interviewing. Each applicant is assessed by a minimum of seven assessors a part of a vigorous onboarding process. Chartered Security Professionals lead by example, putting their considerable security knowledge into practice, demonstrating high standards, leadership and communication skills, with individual personal commitment to continued learning. Mr. Dyson is looking forward to chairing his first CSPRA meeting in July at Mercer’s Hall, and watching as CSyP recruitment approaches 300. He will also host the annual celebratory dinner for Chartered Security Professionals, which is being held in Ironmonger’s Hall on 23rd September 2024.
