The hard work and achievements of 15 outstanding security professionals have been recognised in the national round of this year’s British Security Industry Association (BSIA) Security Personnel Awards, which were presented today (16th July) at the Association’s exclusive annual lunch held at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Her Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Basildon - Shadow Home Affairs Minister for Private Security presented the prestigious awards, which provide an exclusive platform to showcase the excellence and outstanding performances displayed by employees of BSIA member companies.
Currently in their 16th year, the awards are presented in five key categories: Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Technology and Best Team. A full list of winners and their achievements can be found below.
“The BSIA is always keen to ensure that the efforts and talents of personnel who make invaluable contributions towards maintaining high standards in our industry are not overlooked,” comments James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA. “The awards give us the opportunity to recognise and reward individuals and teams that continue to exceed our expectations year upon year.
“This year in particular we received a large amount of exceptional nominations, making the appointment of this year’s winners even more difficult than usual. Our 15 winners encompass the value of the security industry, demonstrating intelligent and innovative uses of technology, teamwork, unrivalled customer service and commendable acts of bravery and we are extremely proud to have them working within our industry.”
The awards would not be possible without the support of Camberford Law PLC, specialist insurance brokers to the BSIA and the private security industry, who have sponsored the awards since their inception.
David Ottewill, Managing Director of the company said: “So often good work goes unnoticed by the public and industry at large, and we want to recognise the hard work and achievements of these high calibre professionals. We are very proud to be associated with the BSIA Awards and the talent displayed by the winners.”
BSIA National Security Personnel Award winners 2014
Service to the Customer
Roger Vanhinsbergh – Roger has worked for security company City Security Services Limited and has worked on a contract for their client – Horsefair Shopping Centre - for over seven years. He was nominated for the award by his managers for being the ‘lynch-pin’ of security operations at the shopping centre.
Since starting on the contract at Horsefair, Roger has consistently continued to exceed the high standards that are required of him. Through his hard work, commitment and willingness to ‘go the extra mile’, Roger has gained the respect and gratitude of the Centre’s customers and its management team.
Leonard Brownsword – Leonard has worked in the security industry for over 12 years and has been a Senior Site Supervisor for Corps of Commissionaires Management – Corps Security for over a year. He has been nominated for the award by his managers for being an extremely hard working individual, who has very good rapport with the staff, regular visitors and contractors on site.
Leonard works for Corps client – Joint Service Adventure Sail Training Centre and has been on looking after this site for a number of years. He regularly provides a service ‘above and beyond’ his remit as Site Security Supervisor that ensures the security of our staff, visitors and assets. He is always helpful, courteous and enthusiastic, he is also someone who delivers results.
Kim McCarron – Kim works for security company UniTrust Protection Services (UK) Ltd after having worked with BNP Paribas Securities Services, for nearly seven years. She was nominated for the award by her managers in recognition of her professional attitude and commitment to her role.
Demonstrating a proactive approach to her role, Kim effectively deals with a wide range of staff and visitors on a daily basis. She caters for all their individual needs and understands the requirement to balance effective security policies and procedures with bespoke customer care and service. This has been supported on a number of occasions by positive customer feedback.
Outstanding Act
Gary Douglas and Ajaz Ahemd – Gary and Ajaz have work for Securitas Security Services and have worked on a contract with WYCA, West Yorkshire Combined Authority for several years. They have been nominated for the award by their managers for their quick thinking and immediate reaction to a sexual assault at a bus station where they were on duty.
Gary and Ajaz showcased their excellent vigilance when witnessing a male following a female into the women’s toilets. Responding immediately, they followed the gentleman into the toilets where, on their arrival, the male fled the scene and it was apparent that the female in question had been sexually assaulted by the male. Both Gary and Ajaz escorted the lady to the security office where they proceeded to contact the police. A week later Ajaz was on duty when he recognised the male in question, who had returned to the bus station. He discreetly monitored the male whilst contacting the police, who subsequently arrived and arrested the man.
Robert Smith – Robert works for security company VSG and has been a key member of the security team at The Mall in Maidstone for just over 10 years. He was nominated for the award by his managers following an incident in which a 15 month old girl was taken seriously ill at the Centre.
A mother and her infant daughter were shopping at The Mall when her daughter had a fit and stopped breathing. Without any hesitation, Robert acted fast to clear her airways and help lower her temperature before handing her over to the ambulance services. Robert’s quick thinking led to the saving of the baby’s life.
Best Newcomer
Dean Baverstock – Dean, a secuirty Supervisor for The Westgrove Group, has been working on a selection of the Group’s Midlands portfolio for over a year. He was nominated for the award by his managers because of unrivalled passion for his work and hunger to succeed.
Dean began his career with The Westgrove Group as a relief cleaner but quickly progressed to Security Officer and then to Security Supervisor in little over a year. He liaises confidently with clients at all levels and is mentoring and passing on knowledge to other new recruits. He has achieved a great deal of success in a short space of time and is currently working through the Westgrove Development programme.
Karl Smith – Karl works for security company VSG and has been working on a contract for their client – The Kingdom Shopping Centre – for just under a year. He was nominated for the award by his managers because of his commitment to the role and proves to be a valuable asset to his team.
Having just started his career in security with very little knowledge of the industry, he has shown that he is prepared to learn his role quickly and shows commitment to The Kingdom Shopping Centre team by providing support to the site when additional manpower is required.
Emilija Zemaitaityte – Emilija, of security company VSG, has been working with their client - Credit Suisse – based in London for just over 18 months. She has been nominated for the award by her managers because she has not only established herself in a core security position, but has risen quickly through the initial security ranks to become Acting Control Centre Operator.
Having just started her career in the security industry, there is evidence to show that Emilija will dedicate her career to security for the long term. She is always keen to develop her security knowledge, and her enthusiasm and dedication to the company shows in her commitment to her role.
Best use of Technology
Garry MacLean – Garry of Securitas Security Services, has worked with their client, Scottish Power, for over five years and has been nominated for the award by his managers for the initiative he shows and his dedication to his role.
As a controller in the Scottish Power security control room, Gary is responsible for monitoring over 700 CCTV cameras and seven alarm systems covering 42 sites. Throughout his time in the control room, he has been instrumental in pushing forward the quality of service delivery provided to Scottish Power. He is seen as the key trainer within the control room and will dedicate his own time to training up members of staff and ensure they have all the prerequisite skills to carry out the demanding role in the control room.
Joe Palmer – Joe Palmer, who is employed by Security Company, VSG and has worked with a DIY Retailer for a number of years, won the award for Best Use of Technology in the Midlands heat of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) Regional Security Personnel Awards.
In 2013, Joe was appointed to lead a Crime Line & Data Analysis team, which was tasked with establishing a solution capable of gathering data reported by telephone and email, with the ultimate goal of using this to pro-actively tackle organised crime. Joe has displayed an unwavering desire to always be one step ahead of the complex fraudster within a constantly challenging retail security environment.
Best Team
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines – The Commando Training Centre team work for security company Corps of Commissionaires Management – Corps security -and are currently contracted to work for their client The Commando Training Centre Royal Marines. They are a 27 strong team of individuals who continue deliver an exceptional services to their client.
The Training Centre is a complex and an extremely busy site that has a diverse range of tenants, workers and visitors, all of whom produce their own particular security challenges. The team are able to multitask and deal with all of these challenges in a professional manner as well as securing the area during high profiled events.
IKEA Milton Keynes Team – Officers a IKEA Milton Keynes are a group of seven strong and determined security personnel officers. They are an outstanding group of individuals who excel at every part of their role. The team has an excellent relationship with the client which is supported by the plethora of compliments they receive on a weekly basis.
The team use their retail knowledge and experience to educate and support other IKEA Risk UK teams and IKEA co-workers. This naturally raised awareness within the IKEA Milton Keynes store and also brought a real sense of ownership and understanding to the store which has recently been identified as a store of excellence in the UK and the VSG team have played an important role in the store achieving this title.
National Distribution Centre, Magna Park – The team work for security company VSG and have been excelling on their contract for their Midlands-based client for a number of years.
The eight strong team are a committed group of individuals who continue to exceed the standards required of them. The team have been through a number of changes since they have been working on site but they continue to support each other in various different ways from shift cover to help deal with difficult issues and situations.
Apprentice Installer Awards salute the next generation of industry leaders
Four outstanding young apprentices from the UK’s private security industry were today presented with national awards in recognition of their academic and practical success in the field of electronic security installations.
Awarded by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the trade body representing the UK’s private security sector, the Apprentice Installer Awards serve to recognise the achievements of Level Two and Level Three apprentices involved in the installation of alarms, CCTV, access control or a combination of these systems, and represent the commitment of security companies and training bodies in providing young talent with the opportunity to succeed in the security industry.
From a strong selection of entries the following winners were selected:
The overall winner of this year’s Apprentice Installer Awards is Darrell Gilmour, 19, of Kings Security Systems. Currently in his third year of studies, Darrell’s passion for security runs in the family, with his father, uncle and aunt also employed within the sector. He was nominated for this award by New College, North Lanarkshire, where his methodical, conscientious workmanship has impressed his lecturers. Meanwhile, working full-time at Kings Security Systems Ltd, Darrell has set the bar high for future apprentices, with a spokesperson from the business commenting: “Kings are taking on new apprentices, and Darrell will be an ambassador for Scotland in providing a role model for the new recruits. He is an asset to Kings and a valued apprentice to the business.”
Tom Parker of VSG received a national award for turning his fascination for technology into a blossoming career, already having worked on large-scale installations for high-profile clients including Macquarie Bank, London South Bank University and Lloyds of London. Selected to work alongside one of VSG’s leading technical engineers, 19-year-old Tom has already achieved the minimum level required to pass his college course and is currently undertaking additional modules while spending his spare time practising his work on a range of products.
Nathan Sefton of Chubb Fire & Security won his award for demonstrating a sound knowledge and understanding of the industry, and for his methodical, level-headed approach to problem-solving. Already a point of contact for other engineers, Nathan excelled on a large project, where his documentation for over 30 sites was error-free and met strict deadlines. Nathan, 21, was selected to travel to Denmark in 2013 as part of Skills for Security’s Leonardo project.
Aaron Noble of Kings Security was selected for a national award following his nomination by Kings Security’s Managing Director, Anthony King. With an ambition to become lead engineer by his mid-30s, Aaron, 21, has demonstrated an excellent understanding of theory and practical work. He already has experience of running complex jobs on-site and continually out-performs other apprentices of his age.
James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA, said: “We are all well aware that in today’s challenging job market many young people may feel that a long term career is out of their reach. As such, the BSIA and its members fully support the development of apprenticeships which offer positions to young people who wish to gain practical skills and knowledge in the security industry, allowing them to ultimately develop long-term careers in the sector.
“It’s always a pleasure to be able to recognise the outstanding talent displayed by our young apprentices, and I would like to congratulate all four of today’s winners on their achievements. They have all exhibited exceptional qualities throughout their apprenticeships, and no doubt have very bright futures within our industry.”
This year, the Apprentice Installer Awards are once again sponsored by Pyronix, whose Chair and Chief Executive, Julie A Kenny CBE DL, comments: “As the cost of University education has increased dramatically in the last few years, there has never been a better time for the security industry to appeal to the younger generation who want to work, develop a career and earn money.
“As an industry, we need to highlight the opportunities available and target keen young applicants prepared to influence our industry. Brought up in the ‘permanently connected age’, these apprentices have the user experience to push and assist with the transformation of technologies in our industry that customers will be demanding. We at Pyronix are therefore delighted to be sponsoring the ‘Apprentice Installer Awards’, as we believe their input will be invaluable to help installers drive and control customer driven technologies into the intruder market within the next few years.”
All four winners were presented with their awards by Guest of Honour, The Rt. Hon. Baroness Smith of Basildon, Shadow Home Affairs Minister for private security, at the Association’s Annual Luncheon on July 16th, hosted at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Outstanding courage of cash-in-transit courier recognised with award
A security guard has been presented with a prestigious award from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) for his immense bravery following an incident where he was attacked on shift while on duty as a cash-in-transit courier.
Nick Lyons has been working as part of a cash-in-transit crew for security company, Loomis, for a number of years. In Spring of 2013, Nick fell victim to a violent attack whilst on shift. During a routine cash drop, he was approached from behind by an offender and assaulted. Nick continued to maintain his grip on the cash box as the offender continued to attack him.
Following a continued struggle, Nick managed to break free of the offender and secured himself and the cash box. Once he was secure, the offender realised that the attack had failed and escaped empty handed.
Head of Risk for Loomis UK Limited, Robert Johnson, praises Nick for his actions: “Thankfully, Nick was not injured during the attack and to some extent this is due to his previous experience when under attack, the ongoing training that is delivered to our crews and his quick thinking in bringing the incident to a satisfactory conclusion.
“Nick is a very experienced and solid member of the team that always acts in a professional manner. He is a respected by managers and colleagues alike, works well under pressure and has proven that he can be relied upon during the most stressful and traumatic of situations.”
Nick was presented with a Special Award for Outstanding Service by Baroness Smith of Basildon, in a glittering ceremony held at the British Security Industry Association’s Annual Luncheon, held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on July 16th.
Commenting on his win, Nick said: “Thank you very much for recognising me for this award. Raids are part of the job - they are something I've learnt to deal with, otherwise I wouldn't still be doing the job 25 years on”.