Global OSPAs

Thought Leadership Summit

The Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) in association with the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) held the seventh Thought Leadership Summit on 20th February 2025.

This annual event, firmly established in the security calendar, provided an unparalleled platform to debate, confront and challenge the many issues that face the sector. 

This year’s Summit once again packed  a compelling line-up of hot topics covering a wide range of subjects relevant to the whole industry.

2025 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PROGRAMME:

Forging the future: Evolution, Innovation, and Trust
Richard Fogelman – National Security Inspectorate (NSI)

Becoming a common denominator in a commercial environment: resetting security value to C-suites
Paul Bean, Director of Security and Business Resilience – Royal Mail Group

Perceptions in the leading organisations have changed and for many the pandemic was pivotal in that. Corporate security has become more about resilience of the business, and in so doing it means security has to be credible to the C-suite. In this talk Paul discusses the challenges to this transition, including those that relate to business, and to how security positions itself, and why personalities are important too.

Examining the benefits and drawbacks of AI in camera systems
Edward Barge, General Manager – EMCS  

AI offers the potential for more detailed, faster and more reliable analysis, reducing human error. The opportunity to integrate with other technologies adds multiple benefits. Yet very real concerns about data privacy, regulatory compliance, the costs as well as inherent dangers of over-reliance on automation are just some of the barriers. In this talk Ed will guide us on the opportunities and challenges of AI in Alarm Receiving Centres.

The role of HMRC in ensuring the security sector is compliant
Paul Fullwood, Director of Inspections & Enforcement – SIA and Liam Emmerson, Senior Tax Specialist – HMRC

In the absence of business licensing the need to find alternative ways of ensuring security companies are tax compliant is pressing. HMRC has introduced proposals designed to mitigate fraud and prevent worker exploitation. This session will examine these measures and consider whether they provide an effective lever to tackle those security companies who are responsible for the sector’s poor image. 

Maximising the value of security: how can the public benefit?
Paul Furnell, Director Safeguarding and Safer Communities – MITIE
Brogan Lowe, UK Guarding & External Partnerships Manager – TESCO
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Williams – National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Protect and Prepare
Charlotte Howell, Research Manager – Perpetuity Research

Security professionals are omnipresent protecting the places where the public work and spend their leisure time and they play a crucial role in safeguarding the national infrastructure. However, most members of the public are unaware of their presence, and many seem indifferent. There is no meaningful Government strategy to harness the work of this sector for the public good. While some partnerships with law enforcement exist, there are not many. Building on our recent Security Research Initiative report, this discussion will address several key questions:

  • Why is the work of the security sector viewed as marginal?
  • Does it really matter, and if so, why?
  • What barriers need to be overcome to rectify this perception?
  • What are the triggers that could bring about change?

What the bosses say: what issues are occupying the minds of security leaders today?
Fiona Walters, CEO UK & Ireland, G4S – An Allied Universal Company
Simon Giles, CEO – City Group Security

This popular session is an annual feature at the Summit. Bosses will share their insights on the issues occupying their minds today.  Why are they important? How are they being resolved? What does the next year look like for them?

Breaking Down the Barriers to Security Skills Development
Adrian White, Deputy Chair, the Skills Board

Labour exploitation, low wages and a buying community that often prioritises cost over quality continue to hinder the sector’s growth. In the absence of an industry standard guiding skills development, even simple tasks like search protocol and physical intervention have many variants. The ‘Profession Map’ and the National Skills Academy are key developments, but will they provide meaningful change?

Following the Summit, the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) gala dinner took place.