Global OSPAs

2024 Winners’ Summaries

Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director – sponsored by Bidvest Noonan
Paul Bean – Royal Mail

Paul Bean’s leadership at Royal Mail has brought about a significant positive transformation in security. His visionary approach and decision-making have added substantial value to the organisation, particularly in addressing global security challenges like cyber threats. Notably, he led a rapid response to industrial action and a major cyberattack, minimizing revenue loss and protecting the company’s reputation. Paul has streamlined security processes and implemented professional development programs for security personnel, enhancing operational efficiency. His leadership has fostered a culture of continuous improvement and earned the highest trust survey team score in the organization. Paul exemplifies excellence in corporate security leadership and judges commented on his sound focus on business resilience which was clearly evidenced.

Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director – sponsored by TEAM Software by WorkWave
Amy Stanley – FGH Security

Amy has risen from an apprenticeship on leaving school to Head of Events in less than a decade. She has driven growth and outstanding operational improvements in that time.

She is responsible for project managing the planning and resourcing of deployments at all major events and working as a Security Manager on the front-line during the delivery phase.

Amy partnered with the training team in the design and development of FGH Spectator Safety training program. She is a Spectator Safety trainer, with a Level 4 Diploma in Spectator Safety Management.  Judges felt that Amy is clearly an exceptional professional.  She sets a formidable standard both in her personal development and the positive impact her work has on the growth of the business.  Judges felt that Amy is clearly an exceptional professional.  She sets a formidable standard both in her personal development and the positive impact her work has on the growth of the business.

Outstanding Security Team
UK Guarding & External Partnerships Team – Tesco

A specialist team who oversee one of the UKs largest guarding operations. The team consists of a head of department, Joe Rutlidge, a co-ordinator Lucy Barton and 4 regional guarding partners, Brogan Lowe, Nathan Hinson, Josh Harwood and Mohammad Awan. The team has accountability for over 6,000 security officers, across 3 accounts, including Amberstone (ASEL), Carlisle Support Services and TSS.  Judges felt this was a great initiative working with partners to deliver and improve services. 

Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding)
First Response Group

First Response Group (FRG) is an owner operated business providing Security, Risk and FM solutions to customers across a wide range of industries. Its mission is to provide customers with the best service, through creating a culture of ‘inclusion and happiness’ – an ethos which saw FRG become the first UK security company to receive Inclusive Employers Accreditation in 2022. The past year has seen FRG develop a strengthened position in its guarding operations with outstanding service delivery across major contracts including    AXA, HS2 and Wembley Stadium.

Outstanding Security Consultant – sponsored by Axis Communications
Optimal Risk Group

Optimal Risk Group provides more than a platinum Security Consultancy service. The depth of their collective knowledge and the approach it takes to engaging with others was viewed positively by judges. Mike O’Neill and Rick Mounfield are a powerhouse team leading their employees to ever greater achievements, whilst taking time to engage in so many altruistic industry development projects.  The judges commented on the tremendous depth of experience that the team has overall.

Outstanding Customer Service Initiative – sponsored by City Group Security
Front of House Initiative – Vigilant Security

Vigilant provides a range of services including keyholding, corporate security, event security, mobile patrols as well as specialist services throughout the UK.  The company is run by ex-military personnel and military standards are embedded within the DNA of the company and rigorously enforce high standards of their overall strategy to provide the very best   experience to their clients, occupiers, and the general public.  Vigilant fundamentally believes that security is a people business and developing the competency and confidence within each of their officers will ensure a more enhanced service delivery.

Outstanding Security Training Initiative – sponsored by BSIA
BBC Security Team Training Initiative – Mitie

The BBC Security Team has developed data-driven insights to improve the value brought to the organisation and its clients. Every incident, training item or data entry allows the team to drill down and exploit learning opportunities that would potentially go unnoticed. This had led for a total revamp and the creation of a new data suite that is intrinsically linked back to the client and company’s Security Strategy with innovation and improvements easily captured on their PowerBI dashboard. The new approach has improved turnover to an all-time low and shown an increase in employee engagement.

Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator – sponsored by SSAIB
Karl Jordan – Lodge Service

Karl has been instrumental in delivering customer’s security systems online, compliant and fully operational in a short window, allowing for reduced engineering head count reliance, operational efficiencies and increased ROI. In addition, Karl has brought the customer up to date with technology advancements whilst still reducing costs. Overall, Karl has committed many hours to offering a truly, one stop blended solution to the retail client in a very short period of time. 

Outstanding Event Security Team
Event Security Team – SecuriGroup

SecuriGroup’s event security team is at the forefront of ensuring the safety and security of large crowds at high-profile events across the country. Their outstanding performance is driven by a combination of meticulous planning, exceptional leadership, adaptability, and a commitment to going above and beyond. In recent developments, the team has introduced event apprentices, further enhancing their capabilities and contributing to their success.

Judges commented that the team oozes quality and commitment throughout their operations and demonstrates a good example of an apprenticeship programme.

Outstanding Security Partnership – sponsored by Trackforce Valiant + TrackTik
BBC Eurovision Partnership

The Eurovision Song Contest this year took partnership working to a different level involving stakeholders from the European Broadcasting Union, 37 foreign delegations, multi government agencies, Liverpool City Council, ACC Arena, FGH Security, Carlisle Security and the Merseyside Police. The Eurovision partnership in Liverpool exemplified outstanding performance in event management and security. Their meticulous security planning, innovative technologies, community engagement, cultural promotion, adaptability and commitment to sustainability was exemplary. Judges commented that the partnership was balanced, well-executed, high impact, and an incredible feat to have pulled off in such a short space of time. 

Outstanding New Security Product – sponsored by Assist Group
Brand Partner Mobile App – URIM

The Landsec Brand Partner App demonstrates outstanding performance, through clear quantitative and qualitative outputs that have been delivered, at pace and at scale, through a clear collaborative partnership. URIM and Landsec worked with multiple site security service partners (IncentiveFM, Mitie, Bidvest Noonan) and since April encompassing 35 Sites; 1,200 Brands (Retailers); 50,000 Brand Staff; 1,200 Activations of the “Assistance Button”; 11,000 Downloads of Security Documents; 7,000 Views of Security Guidance Videos; Multiple successful Interventions regarding Attempted Suicides; Active engagement with Law Enforcement; Strategic engagement with relevant Government Agencies.

Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer – sponsored by The Security Event and International Security Expo
Gallagher Security

Driven to revolutionise the way organisations around the world protect and manage their people and assets, Gallagher Security designs and manufactures industry-leading access control, perimeter, and intruder alarm security solutions. Certified to the highest level of national security in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, Gallagher’s solutions are trusted to protect some of the world’s most high-consequence assets and locations. 

Outstanding Security Officer – sponsored by Corps Security
Yakubu Adetunji – GSTS

Yakubu is seen as a mentor to new recruits, a leader to the experienced officers, and a favourite amongst clinical staff for his work ethic, warm-heartedness, and cheeky smile which he always manages to display, whatever the incident he has dealt with. He leaves staff, patients, and security staff feeling reassured by his presence, without prompting, he will constantly go the extra mile. Although he receives it, he never seeks praise and is unaware of the huge difference he makes.

Outstanding Female Security Professional – sponsored by Securitas
Kate Scally – Royal Mail

Kate Scally’s has worked in extremely hostile overseas environments to selflessly deliver results. Her work has also gained recognition at a Ministerial level for ground-breaking activity directing investigations at both a strategic and a tactical level. Kate’s work is hailed as best practice within the function and at the Senior Executive level as well as respect across the broader security industry landscape. Her unwavering drive to make a difference serves as a source of inspiration for colleagues and peers alike. She is keen to promote diversity and inclusion creating the Women in Security network at Royal Mail, to influence perceptions and challenge organisational culture.

Outstanding Young Security Professional – sponsored by CIS Security
Shani Baldwin – ICTS UK & Ireland

Shani, who is a Mobile Security Officer covering both Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, joined ICTS just over 2 years ago, and in that time has distinguished herself as a superb Officer in many ways. At just 22 years of age, Shani shows maturity and strength of character beyond her years. Shani’s quick thinking and intervention have defused numerous harrowing situations usually involving mental health patients. The SIA highlighted Shani’s awe-inspiring story of commitment, professionalism, courage, dedication and bravery as part of its #BehindTheBadge campaign.

Outstanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative – sponsored by Lazerbeam
SmartSec Solutions

SmartSec Solutions exemplifies an organisation whose workforce mirrors the rich diversity of the communities in which they operate. They have high level of cultural diversity within their core management team. This diversity not only enriches their perspective but also equips them to interpret complex culture-dependent knowledge, anticipate cross-cultural conflicts, and address them with efficiency and effectiveness.  Judges commented that they had a number of positive initiatives within the company and were truly a worthy winner.

Outstanding Security Sustainability Initiative
CIS ESG Strategy

CIS has made great progress in Sustainability, in 2022 they were the first company within the security industry to employ an ESG Manager to recognise the importance and lead the way in approaching sustainability. CIS have launched an ESG strategy and set an interim target of net-zero. Their focus remains on ensuring an orderly, but urgent transition. They have a strategy in place to support customers as they transition to a low carbon business, to recognise the urgency of climate change and to become an organisation with a robust sustainable transition plan that enhances the support and confidence they provide to their customers across their diversified portfolio.

Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by The Security Institute
Bob Martin, JP, CSyP, FSyI

Bob Martin is a distinguished professional in the security sector. He stands as a paragon of excellence and dedication and deserves formal recognition for his lifetime of exemplary service. With a career spanning over four decades, Bob’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the field, reshaping and elevating the standards of security practices. His commitment, expertise, and visionary leadership have not only propelled the industry forward but have also inspired countless individuals to pursue excellence in their security endeavours. He is the epitome of visionary leadership in the diverse and complicated world of security management.

Judges comments:

  • There are few who would near emulate the personal commitment that Bob has gifted to the industry. Arguably fewer with the breadth of expertise and selfless offering of his knowledge to others.
  • Bob has demonstrated a significant contribution in terms of his professional work and also mentoring, voluntary roles at a senior level within the security sector. A significant contribution.
  • A true and authentic individual within the industry!
  • Bob’s commitment to the improvement of the security industry is exemplified by his involvement with numerous industry bodies over the years. He is deserving of this award as recognition of dedication and expertise.
  • Outstanding and selfless contribution across large elements of the industry, over a prolonged period of time.
  • Great entry, that really encapsulates what Bob Martin has achieved over his career. An outstanding portfolio!
  • A wonderful individual who is kind and giving to all that come into contact with him.