Winners of the 2020 UK OSPAs

Outstanding In-House Security Manager or Director

Clint Reid – Marks and Spencer

Clint Reid is the head of corporate security for Marks and Spencer and is celebrated with an OSPA for his tireless work and dedication to developing a dynamic and holistic approach to security. Clint’s work in launching a new security operations centre was described as “impressive and unique” in a recent audit and has transformed in-store incident reporting. He has been key to the introduction of a new customer service role, ‘Service & Safety Assistant’, and a National Store Detective Team who target organised crime and high theft stores. Clint has forged a collaborative partnership approach, engaging with both internal and external stakeholders, this has included the commissioning of ground-up work to understand the concerns, skills and commitment of store colleagues. This work has led to the organisation being the first retailer to be invited to participate in the, ‘Police Now’ secondment programme which aims to foster collaboration between communities and policing.

Outstanding Contract Security Manager or Director

Nav Kalley – Mitie

Nav Kalley is the account director for Sainsbury’s Argos on behalf of facilities management company, Mitie. Nav is recognised with an OSPA for championing development and partnership work. Sainsbury’s fully support Nav’s nomination; since 2016 he has worked to build a true partnership, consistently resolved challenges, added value and improved efficiency for the client. Under Nav’s leadership the team has successfully developed and delivered risk-based resourcing of security provision, which has been instrumental in helping Sainsbury’s define the risk profile of each store, keep colleagues safe and achieve shrink targets. Nav has led initiatives to improve training for security officers at high-risk stores, including work with Sussex Police to develop and implement the ‘Brighton Wardens’ scheme, which is now being considered for roll-out in different areas of the country.

Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer

Bradbury Group

Bradbury Group is a leading manufacturer and supplier of physical security products, with a focus on steel doors. They are awarded an OSPA following an incredible 2019. Bradbury has significantly increased its capabilities as a manufacturer following an £8 million investment over the past two years. Combined with the acquisition of Liddle Doors, Bradbury is now capable of manufacturing a doorset in just four hours and has the ability to produce 100 doorsets per eight hour shift. Bradbury also offers an extensive series of security products and a comprehensive service package from survey and design to supply or installation. The company is constantly reviewing, developing and expanding its product and service offering in order to meet its clients’ unique needs.

Outstanding Security Team – sponsored by First Security

Mitie – M&S Security Operations Centre Team 

The Security Operations Centre (SOC) is awarded an OSPA for its transformational change of M&S’ security department by introducing a centralised team focused on CCTV monitoring, incident reporting and live incident support. Their phenomenal performance has led to £322,000 of stock being recovered, 339 civil recoveries and 938 trespass notices issued. The SOC has led to an increased visibility of crime in stores across the country. The success of the information sharing was evident when three seemingly unrelated crimes were investigated by the SOC and were found to be linked through organised crime. The SOC takes more than 1,000 calls a week and implements a proactive engagement programme. Numerous factors have contributed to the success of the team including, recruiting individuals from a variety of backgrounds and the creation of a training matrix.

Outstanding Security Consultant – sponsored by Altia-ABM

IJA (Ian Johnson Associates)

Ian Johnson Associates (IJA) is an independent security and risk management consultancy firm. IJA has been awarded an OSPA for its commitment to sharing the best practices and the ability to provide effective security management for a range of high-profile clients. IJA has been described by clients as “outstanding,” “valuable” and “trustworthy.” They have provided security advice both overseas and within the UK, bringing experience and expertise from a range of different sectors. IJA is a technical assessor on behalf of the UK accreditation service (UKAS). In this role they assess the capabilities of UK based security certification bodies, making sure that training in the industry is up to the highest of standards.

Outstanding Customer Service Initiative – sponsored by Verisure

ProtectED – Code of Practice

ProtectED is celebrated with an OSPA for its unique scheme in promoting student safety, security and wellbeing at UK universities. Developed by academics and security experts at Salford University, ProtectED is the first of its kind. A ‘gold standard’ has been developed for universities to aspire to and recognises the crucial role to be played in ensuring safety and security among students. Published in February 2017, the ProtectED code of practice recommended training in student wellbeing and mental health, international students, harassment and sexual health, core institutional security and student nights out. Its standard is kept high by working closely with The Security Institute and other bodies to develop and implement changes that will best help student safety at university.

Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator – sponsored by NSI

Mitie Fire & Security Systems

Mitie Fire & Security Systems, one of the UK’s largest integrated systems providers, is celebrated with an OSPA. Mitie Fire specialises in the installation and management of fire and life safety security systems and solutions. Mitie’s core offers a wide range of CCTV, access control and intruder detection system products as well as a range of fire products, including alarms, extinguishing, suppression and aspirating systems. As a leading systems integrator, Mitie partners with some of the worlds top system manufacturers to provide solutions that suit their clients unique needs. They’re always striving to do even better, and for this reason they’ve continually looked to upskill. Recently, that has involved increasing the skillset of its fire and security engineers so that even the most complex of situations can be dealt with. Employees at Mitie are known for “going the extra mile” to deliver the best possible services.

Outstanding Event Security Team

FGH Security

FGH Security has provided security to live music events since 2003. Described as professional, knowledgeable and effective, FGH Security has been awarded an OSPA for its positive training programme and excellence at keeping audiences safe at some of the biggest events in the country. With more than 400 employees, FGH is responsible for security at Glastonbury, Manchester Pride and Global (Kendal Calling). Their focus on creating a diverse and positive workforce has contributed to FGH being listed in The Times Top 100 Employers, making them the first security and crowd management company to be listed. Their championing of diversity can be evidenced in the fact that 24% of their workforce are women, compared to the industry average of 9%.

Outstanding Security Training Initiative

Kingdom Services Group – Skillcentre

Skillcentre is Kingdom Services Group’s dedicated training division, which provides employees with an accredited qualification in the security industry. The Skillcentre is recognised with an OSPA for its commitment to training and employee progression right from the get-go. Within days of starting at Kingdom, all employees are given a development plan. This includes qualifications, job skills and personal development. Kingdom have invested £2 million each year into their Skillcentre, demonstrating how much they value training. An employee said that the training programme not only improved his knowledge and skillset but generated a deeper underlying passion for what he did. Allowing employees to direct their own training has led to excellence and last year alone 173 officers at Kingdom achieved accredited qualifications.

Outstanding New Security Product – sponsored by International Security Expo

Merlin Protect 24/7 – Mitie Security

Merlin Protect 24/7 is the latest technological innovation delivered by Mitie to help clients monitor and improve their security processes. Mitie Security is awarded an OSPA for this state of the art system which is flexible, accessible and efficient. The secure online security task and incident management system streamlines processes and procedures into one central, easily accessible hub. Merlin 24/7 is a new development of old systems used by both Mitie and Global Aware International Group (GAIG). The innovation digitises the task and incident management process and the data can be applied to the security solution in place. It also has the capacity to share anonymised data with clients. It is used by high profile clients including Rolls Royce, Sainsbury’s and Sellafield.

Outstanding Security Partnership – sponsored by Ward Security

Clinical Liaison Nurses (Security) – Mersey Care NHS Trust

Clinical liaison nurses (CLNs) were established within Ashworth Hospital in Liverpool in the late 1990s to help re-establish the balance between the clinical and security agendas following the Fallon Inquiry. Mersey Care NHS Trust has been awarded an OSPA for the skills gap that CLNs fill. Their effectiveness in providing specialist advice on security issues as well as being clinically trained has been instrumental in the Trust’s progress. The role has helped the Trust to achieve 100% in its 2016 HMPPS audit. And following its success, despite cost-cutting measures, the Trust has been able to expand the role. This has enabled them to bring in a medium and low secure unit and to form a secure division, so the CLNs can expand their clinical portfolios.

Outstanding Young Security Professional – sponsored by ADS

Amy Stanley – FGH Security

Amy Stanley is awarded an OSPA for her impressive progression in and dedication to the security industry. Amy started out at FGH security as an apprentice in 2012 and has been a leading professional from the start, when she won learner of the year during her time at college. After her apprenticeship finished Amy shadowed key managers at FGH, giving her a strong understanding of the business. By 2019 Amy was supervising small deployments and sat her level three supervisor training exam. Just a year later she found her speciality in festival and event deployment. She has gone on to manage the deployment of security personnel at the Albert Hall in Manchester and more recently she played a key role in the delivery of 300 personnel at Glastonbury. In her role Amy has shown a level of composure and maturity beyond her age.

Outstanding Security Officer – sponsored by ICTS UK & Ireland

David Rutwaza – G4S Secure Solutions

David Rutwaza is a retail security officer for G4S. His heroics in 2018 on three separate occasions make him truly outstanding as a security officer. David has never been afraid to intervene and the safety of the public is paramount to him. He has been instrumental in dealing with some challenging situations including preventing attacks on a PCSO and a disabled man. Also when a girl was acting suspiciously on a bridge, David approached her understanding her intention to commit suicide. Through gentle conversation he was able to convince her to return to a safe place where he looked after her until her parents arrived. Without David’s bravery and interventions lives could have been lost.

Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) – sponsored by TrackTik

Mitie Security

Mitie Security is the UK’s leading intelligence-led security business, with more than 22,500 personnel. Mitie is celebrated with an OSPA for its forward-thinking approach and commitment to improving standards across the industry. With such a vast range of accredited courses, the in-house training team has delivered more than 4,000 sessions across the UK demonstrating their commitment to development. Mitie is the only security company in the Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN). With the use of technology, guards on the frontline are able to stay connected to the latest intelligence, which is why they protect some of the UK’s most iconic buildings, including The Shard and Canary Wharf. Clients have described Mitie as “dedicated and committed to delivering exceptional service.”

Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by The Security Institute

Roy Cooper

Judges’ comments:

“A real key contributor to the security industry in the UK.”

“A well-known leader of the security sector who undoubtedly has contributed to the development of the sector, raising awareness, promoting developing technologies, bringing stakeholders together and raising money for charities for the benefit of the sector. An industry stalwart.”

“A good man who has done so much, both for the security profession and charitable causes.”

“Roy is a well-known figure and very influential in our sector and has done so much to promote it.”

“A significant contributor to the industry with bundles of evidence where he has demonstrated breaking new ground.”

“The concepts of achievement, recognition and promotion of the security industry are embodied in Roy’s lifetime work as an ambassador and spokesman for the sector.”