In-house security managers/directors can operate in different ways, they may work as advisors to the organisation or be a head of a team or department. Whatever the role, this category recognises those who through security expertise, business acumen and/or skilful and innovative leadership approaches, have led the security portfolio with distinction. Outstanding performers will be leaders and innovators who are setting examples that others will wish to follow.
The Judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
To enter this category, please answer the following questions:
Contract security managers/directors can operate in different ways, they may work as advisors to a client organisation or be the head of a team or department on behalf of a client. Whatever the role, this category recognises those who through security expertise, business acumen and/or skilful and innovative leadership approaches, have led the security portfolio with distinction for both their company and their client organisation. Outstanding performers will be leaders and innovators who are setting examples that others will wish to follow.
This award recognises outstanding security teams in the private, public or voluntary sectors – open to contracted teams, those employed direct or a combination. An outstanding team is one that has implemented an approach which has contributed to the overall performance of the organisation. This can include roles in protecting the organisation against different types of threats, some or all of which may be innovative or exemplary, as well as showing outstanding performance in enabling the organisation to operate in ways or areas that would not be possible without the contribution of the security team.
This OSPA recognises those who are outstanding suppliers of manned security guarding. In the modern world the provision of manned guarding services has become a much more skilled task. Motivating staff, managing resources in an increasingly competitive and price sensitive environment, up-skilling, recognising the distinct importance of front line leadership, making the most of technologies, forging internal and external partnerships and making them work are just some of the trends that are leading to new approaches and thinking about manned guarding. The object of this category is to recognise the outstanding performers in making a positive difference.
This OSPA recognises the independent security consultant – individual, team or company – dedicated to any area of security consulting. Consultants often play a key role in security in offering expertise and insight which can transform the quality of service, product or system that is offered. It recognises the existence of distinct skill sets and crucially the ways these are harnessed and managed to make a difference to security strategy and/or practice.
This OSPA recognises the company, organisation or individual that operates an outstanding initiative that generates sustainable benefits for customers. However security is judged, and there are many different ways, the need to generate very positive feedback from highly satisfied customer is always valued. There is a broad range of initiatives which can be considered for this OSPA but what they share is an exclusive focus on successfully implementing positive change for customers.
This OSPA recognises individuals or companies that operate a successful training scheme, which promotes outstanding performance and has produced identifiable results. There is a tendency to talk about training and up-skilling as a good thing in itself. In fact in the very least, training should most often be undertaken in response to an identified need, with a programme that is suited to best meeting a skills gap, that is well articulated and delivered, and results in an benefits in terms of better performance. This OSPA looks to recognise those who have made a difference to improving security practice via training.
This OSPA recognises outstanding performance by security installers/integrators, be that individuals or companies. Excelling at security installations/integrations requires a rounded approach and often skill sets that include security expertise, project management and customer care. Although security installations/integrations are about adding value the precise benefits will vary by type of client and type of installation/integration. This OSPA recognises those who excel at security installations/integrations.
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
This OSPA recognises contracted teams, those employed direct or a combination who work to ensure the safety and security at events. Whether a major concert or sporting occasion, or an exhibition or conference, the team must have displayed outstanding performance and commitment to security at the event.
This OSPA recognises a successful security partnership that delivers outstanding performance. ‘Partnerships’ is an over used word in security. Frequently partnerships are identified as crucial to good security but often may involve little more than collaboration, a very different thing. What is known is that effective partnerships are most often the result of good planning around identifiable objectives designed to deliver specific benefits, and are typically characterised by good management/co-ordination.
This OSPA recognises an outstanding new product that has been designed and implemented to improve any area of security practice, and has been introduced to the UK security market in the last 12 months. The key point about new products is that they have a marked effect on improving security performance; that is that they add value and have clearly identified benefits.
This OSPA recognises an outstanding manufacturer of products that service the security market. Manufacturers of any security product in any market can enter. The winner of this OSPA will have shown outstanding performance in manufacturing a leading edge security product (or products), which has produced clear beneficial results for customers.
This OSPA recognises the security officer (up to supervisor level) demonstrating the most outstanding performance. It will be awarded to a security officer who is highly committed to security work, showing enthusiasm, initiative and displaying security competence in different areas including in the development of stakeholder relationships. The officer will have had a beneficial impact on the workplace positively influencing operations and having been recognised for achieving outstanding service.
This award recognises an outstanding individual who identifies as female working at any level in an organisation who has consistently shown outstanding performance over a substantial period of time and has had a substantial impact upon defining and driving standards in the security sector.
This OSPA recognises a young security professional – that is anyone below the age of thirty (there is no restriction on the number of years spent in security) – who has excelled in his/her early career performance. This OSPA will be awarded to someone who has made an impact in the area of private security, for example as a analyst/researcher, working for a security supplier and/or corporate security (rather than police/military). This could be in any area of security activity, as a student, in the workplace or a combination, but it will be someone who has made a difference and is laying the basis for an outstanding career in security.
This OSPA recognises the company, team or individual that operates an outstanding equality, diversity and inclusion initiative that has led to an improved security position. Equality, diversity and inclusion are concepts at the heart of any good project and although each element has different meanings at its core is a focus on being diverse as well as being inclusive, treating people fairly and in the same way recognising that people and needs are different. There is a broad range of issues that an initiative may cover, including for example, age, disability, gender (reassignment), marriage and other types of partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, and/or Sex. The key point for this OSPA is that the initiative has a main focus on generating positive change internally, for customers, society and/or other stakeholders.
This award recognises any organisation, in any sector and area of activity, that is committed to outstanding practices in furthering environmental and social sustainability in whatever form be that reducing waste, improving the carbon footprint, progressing towards circularity, using more eco-friendly materials or approaches. The key is that the commitment to a greener way of working is genuine, that initiatives have an impact and that they are supported by a strategy or plan.
Nominations for this category must be submitted by a third party.
This OSPA recognises a senior member of the security community. It recognises an individual who has consistently shown outstanding performance over an extended period of time and has had a substantial impact upon defining and driving standards in the security sector.
To enter someone into this category, please answer the following questions:
I have read and understood the rules of entry.