The first-ever virtual UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) event took place on 25th February 2021.
Hundreds of security professionals tuned in to the live-streamed virtual award ceremony to celebrate the best of the best from across the sector – with guest appearances from Paul Sinha (AKA The Sinnerman from the Chase) and Alan Dedicoat known by many as ‘The Voice of the Balls’ from the National Lottery programmes.
This year, once again, companies, initiatives, technologies, individuals and teams were honoured in sixteen categories for their outstanding contribution to the security industry and in keeping us all safe.
OSPAs founder Professor Martin Gill said: “The Security sector can feel very proud; it has not only stepped up to the mark during these unusual times but has gone above and beyond – which is evidenced by all of the finalists and especially the winners.”
Gill further added: “These awards are firmly based on the skills, behaviours and performance that lead to true, sustainable success, and as such the stories of our winners’ achievements provide a valuable benchmark for those working in the sector.”
2021 UK OSPA winners:
Outstanding In-house security manager/director
Tracey Edwards – Southern Health NHS Trust
“Thank you for a great ceremony and for my award. I really was shocked to receive it as the category had a large selection of amazing security managers in it. I am grateful to my security team as they are part of this award with the work that they do day to day. I thought Christmas had come very early just being nominated and was very humbled to be so but I am still getting my head round winning.
Thank you to all the judges who saw something in my team and work to award this to us.”
Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director
David Evans – STM Group (UK) Ltd
“Finding out I had been nominated by STM Group was a nice surprise, but I knew that competition was strong so didn’t believe I would be shortlisted, much less winning the award. To say I was ecstatic at winning is an understatement.
Winning this award feels like one of the greatest accolades in my career to date. Though not my first award, this demonstrates that my style and mode of management; to create strong teams through training, development, recognition and support, works.
My family, friends, colleagues and connections have all congratulated me on achieving this significant industry award. Many belated celebrations are planned to be organised both professionally and at home when the UK restrictions are lifted.”
Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer
IDIS
“It’s fantastic that our hard work developing and delivering end-to-end video solutions for IDIS customers has been recognised with this highly sought after OSPA award. The OSPAs judging panel includes some of the most respected and knowledgeable figures in our industry, so this accolade means a great deal to everyone in the IDIS family and to our integration partners.
And the organisers did a truly outstanding job with their online award event this year, allowing us to share our success with our industry friends and have some much-needed fun too.”James Min – Managing Director at IDIS Europe
Outstanding Security Consultant
Richard Sumner – RS Security Consultants
Outstanding Security Team
Mitie & Sainsbury’s BLITZ Teams
Outstanding Customer Service Initiative
STM Group (UK) Ltd & Rail Network
“We’re privileged and delighted to have won this prestigious award, especially against such tough competition. It is a testament to STM’s incredible growth, our passionate people who deliver best in class service to our valued customers and the public, and our strong focus on continuous improvement philosophy. The OSPA’s truly represent the voice of the security industry, and we are very grateful to be recognised with an award.”
Arevika Stepanian – Head of Marketing & Communications at STM Group (UK) Ltd
Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator
Astra Security
“I’m so proud of our team for being recognised in this way. Being at the Awards Ceremony amongst such a vast range of other companies who operate and excel within the Security Industry is a great achievement in itself.”
Paul Beet – Managing Director at Astra Security
Outstanding Event Security Team
Liverpool HMS Prince of Wales (Operation Heartland) Team – FGH Security
Outstanding Security Training Initiative
ACT Awareness eLearning – Highfield e-learning in partnership with M&S and NaCTSO
“We are extremely honoured to win such a prestigious award and to partner with such dedicated people from Marks and Spencer and NaCTSO. The ongoing success of the ACT Awareness eLearning really is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of the partnership.
ACT Awareness eLearning is a freely available course to better prepare people on how to react in the instance of a suspected terrorist threat, to protect not only themselves but also the lives of others. Go to https://ct.highfieldelearning.com/ to register today and play your part in keeping the public and colleagues safe.”
Ashley Reddy, IT Director, Highfield e-learning Ltd
Outstanding Security Partnership
TINYg Information Sharing Partnership
Outstanding New Security Product
Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) App – URIM in partnership with M&S and NaCTSO
“At the ACT Team, we are simply bowled over by winning two award categories this year! We know that the OSPAs are THE awards that everyone in the industry wants to win most, because they are so clearly assessed by credible & independent security experts. This will prove a huge boost to public and industry perception & will greatly assist in getting the vital counter terrorism message out there to organisations across the UK, now that the Government’s “Protect Duty” consultation has begun.”
Ian Hammond – CEO at URIM
Outstanding Cyber Security Initiative
North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC)
“We at the NEBRC are absolutely delighted to win our very first award, ever. We started in November 2019 and have worked hard over the last year to reach the small and medium enterprises in our region to help protect them from cyber attack. We have a relatively small team including our talented students from Sheffield Hallam and Northumbria Universities but we also work with an extensive wider cohort. These consist of our Board, Advisory Group , Trusted Partners, the national cyber team, IASME, NCSC and BRIM , our management consultancy to achieve what we do. This award really solidifies the confidence and support we get from all of our partners and the Home Office financially and holistically. We hadn’t expected to win at all and were very happy to be announced as finalists, so you can imagine our reaction when announced as the winner! We hope to move into fraud, retail and tourism in the coming year so this will help us encourage more partnerships and investment. Thank you!”
Rebecca Chapman – Director
Outstanding Young Security Professional
Hannah Booth – Heriot-Watt University
“I am absolutely thrilled to receive such a prestigious award, especially at such an early point in my career. I am very grateful for this and for all the support I have received and I am looking forward to what new and exciting challenges I will face in the future”
Outstanding Security Officer
Sammy Wightman – Axien Security
Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding)
Axis Security
Lifetime Achievement
Jason Towse – Mitie
“The “Lifetime Achievement” award came as a total shock. For the last 25 years or so I have enjoyed working with many people whom have supported our sector, and I feel I’ve just done my bit. As humbled as I am to have been nominated for this award, I accept it with absolute pride. I also accept the award on behalf of everyone who has worked tirelessly to improve the standards and reputation of our wonderful sector, with the last 12 months being testament to how important our sector is to the public and to keeping the UK running.
Our quest must be to continue to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors by developing world class technology, intelligent and smart decision all delivered through the best qualified people.
Thank you to Professor Martin Gill for developing the wonderful concept of the OSPA’s, the judges and to Rick Mountfield of the Security Institute not forgetting absent friends.”
Summaries of all the winners can be found here
The event organisers would like to thank all those who have helped to make the virtual UK OSPAs event such a success including: TEAM Software (headline sponsor); Edith Cowan University (trophies & certificates); ADS, Bidvest Noonan, Cap Index, Cordant Security, CIS Security, Interserve First Security, Nineteen Group, NSI, Skills for Security, TrackTik and the Security Institute (award categories). Also, the many supporting associations, judges and media partners.
