The sixth UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) event took place at the Royal Lancaster in central London on 24 February.
Over five hundred security professionals gathered to celebrate the very best from across the sector with dinner and a presentation event hosted by renowned Quiz master, presenter and stand-up comedian Paul Sinha.
OSPAs founder Professor Martin Gill commented “This year the competition was extremely tough with on average 20 entries per category and sometimes many more.”
He continued: “Each year the calibre of the nominations exceeds expectations and made the job of selecting the winners particularly challenging for the 27-strong security experts you made up the judging panel – all nominated by the leading associations. All those that were selected as finalists and winners demonstrated that they really are the absolute best and should feel extremely proud.”
Lifetime Achievement Award
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Graham Bassett. Graham has spent 30 years within the security sector. In that time, he has been a constant influencer in many areas and formal settings, and his voluntary contributions to the development of the security sector are second to none. Increasing awareness, bringing stakeholders together, and raising funds for many charities and the wider crime prevention network are just a few of his accomplishments that were noted by the judging panel.
UK OSPAs Award Winners 2022
The complete list of awards winners is:
Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director – sponsored by Bidvest Noonan
Laurence Perkins – University of Leicester
I was absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious award. I couldn’t have achieved this without the support of my hardworking colleagues and team and I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved. I would like to also acknowledge all of the dedicated people that work across the security sector, often keeping people safe and property secure 24/7, 365 days of the year. The work often goes unnoticed but it is critical. The reputation of the security sector is growing at a rapid speed and I am not surprised as I engage with so many committed and dedicated security professionals working in the field.Laurence Perkins BA (Hons) & Msyl, Head of Security, University of Leicester
Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director – sponsored by Altia
Chris Middleton – ABM UK
Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer – sponsored by International Security Expo/The Security Event
Heald Ltd
We are honoured to have won the OSPA award for Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer. We take extreme pride in the fact that we manufacture 100% of our products in the UK, this award is a real testament to our fabulous and dedicated team. I would like to extend my congratulations to all the other winners and those shortlisted.Debbie Heald MBE
Outstanding Security Team – sponsored by TrackTik
Valero Energy Team – Profile Security Services
Outstanding Security Consultant – sponsored by CIS
Sibylline
It was a surreal day to win an outstanding performance award, yet strangely fitting. A day that started with the team watching live as Russian forces began military action, at the time and in the places that we had predicted for weeks, was capped by receiving the award against stiff competition. It’s crucial recognition for the hard work put in by so many of our amazing people both in house and on client site, with the tempo set by Covid only ever intensifying. More widely this award confirms just how critical the role of intelligence is, which is now being recognised throughout the security industry – and in boardrooms. That alone is terrific and so in a way winning this reflects not only the amazing work by our team, often at no charge, but also the accomplishments of a much greater group of people in the intelligence sector who have previously been unrecognised.Justin Crump, CEO
It’s wonderful to have the hard work our team puts forth each and every day for our clients recognised with this prestigious award. Currently we are providing daily live briefings on Russia-Ukraine, because we deeply believe in providing first in class service to our clients so they can make decisions that potentially saves lives. Industry recognition for efforts like these are a terrific boost for the team.Alex Parsons, Global Director of Intelligence Branch
Outstanding Customer Service Initiative – sponsored by Securitas
Project Zeal – Mitie, Co-op and Nottinghamshire Police
Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator – sponsored by NSI
Sicuro UK
Outstanding Event Security Team – sponsored by Lodge Services Group
Edinburgh International Conference Centre Team – Croma Vigilant
We are extremely proud to have won an OSPA for the Event Security Team of the year, which is recognition of the hard work and dedication of our people at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. The OSPA’s are extremely important to our industry as an objective and credible awards ceremony that recognises talent and innovative security solutions. Thank you for all that you do to inspire us all to be the best we possibly can!Ruth McGowan, Head of Business, Coma PROception
Outstanding Security Training Initiative – sponsored by Skills for Security
Virtual Reality Training – Corps Security and MoonHub
Outstanding New Security Product – sponsored by NSI
Essential IP – BT Redcare
We are extremely proud to have been a finalist in the OSPAs, but to have also won the outstanding new security product award, against some strong competition from our fellow finalists, is a fantastic achievement. These key awards, judged by an independent panel of security experts, are respected throughout the industry so it’s great that our Essential IP product won an award. Essential IP’s innovative and cutting-edge features were designed specifically to make it easier for installers to upgrade dial up PSTN systems. This, along with the quality of our products that we pride ourselves on, was recognised by the judging panel. Thanks to everyone at the OSPAs for a great evening.Nick Whiting, Head of Redcare
Outstanding Security Partnership – sponsored by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives
Birmingham City Centre Partnership – Mitie and West Midlands Police
Outstanding Young Security Professional – sponsored by ADS
James Bradley – Mitie
I am truly honoured to have won the OSPAs 2022 Outstanding Young Security Professional Award. The OSPAs is considered as one of the most prestigious awards to win within the security industry and to have the ability to update this on my CV will be of massive benefit to me. I look forward to continuing my work within Mitie where I hope to inspire the next generation of OSPAs winnersJames Bradley, Senior Crime and Intelligence Analyst, Mitie
Outstanding Security Officer – sponsored by Corps Security
Hasan Afzal – Atlas Security
Winning the award was a real honour and it has definitely proven to me that hard work pays off! I have learnt to always follow my believes and work ethics that has been recognised by the amazing Team at Atlas Security. I hope to use the award to further develop myself and grow within Security Industry. Hasan Afzal, Atlas Security
Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) – sponsored by Team Software
Mitie Security
Outstanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative – sponsored by Assist Group and supported by SyCom
Corps Together Campaign – Corps Security
Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by The Security Institute
Graham Bassett
The OSPAs supported charity is The Security Benevolent Fund, with guests at the London event making donations to assist those that have or are working in the security profession who are distressed and in need of welfare support.
The event organisers would like to thank all those who have helped to make the sixth UK OSPAs event such a success including: all the supporting associations and judges; sponsors – TEAM Software (headline sponsor); SelectaDNA (trophies and certificates); SSR Personnel (menu); Corps Security (security commissionaires; ADS, Altia, Assist, Bidvest Noonan, CIS, Corps, International Security Expo/The Security Event, Lodge, NSI, PCPI, Securitas, Skills for Security, The Security institute, and TrackTik (award categories); and media partners – AllSecurityEvents, City Security Magazine, Infologue, Professional Security, Security Matters and SJUK.
