2021 UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards winners announced

There were guest appearances from Paul Sinha (aka The Sinnerman from the popular ITV programme The Chase) and Alan Dedicoat, known by many as ‘The Voice of the Balls’ from the National Lottery results programmes.

As always, companies, initiatives, technologies, individuals and teams were honoured in sixteen separate categories for their outstanding contribution to the security industry and in keeping us all safe from harm.  

OSPAs founder Professor Martin Gill CSyP FSyI commented: “The security sector can feel very proud. It has not only stepped up to the mark during these unusual times, but gone above and beyond the call of duty. That’s evidenced by all of the finalists and especially so the winners of this year’s UK OSPAs.”

Professional Gill added: “These awards are firmly based on the skills, behaviours and performance that lead to true and sustainable success. 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)

*Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director: David Evans (STM Group UK Ltd

*Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer: IDIS

*Outstanding Security Consultant: Richard Sumner (RS Security Consultants)

*Outstanding Security Team: Mitie and Sainsbury’s BLITZ Teams

*Outstanding Customer Service Initiative: STM Group UK Ltd and Rail Network 

*Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator: 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)

*Outstanding Security Partnership: TINYg Information Sharing Partnership

*Outstanding New Security Product: Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) App (URIM in partnership with M&S and NaCTSO)

*Outstanding Cyber Security Initiative: North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC) 

*Outstanding Young Security Professional: Hannah Booth (Heriot-Watt University)

*Outstanding Security Officer: Sammy Wightman (Axien Security)

*Outstanding Contract Security Guarding Company: Axis Security

*Lifetime Achievement Award: Jason Towse (Mitie)

Summary descriptions for all of the 2021 UK winners can be found on the OSPAs website at www.uk.theospas.com

Event sponsors and supporters

The event organisers would like to thank all those who’ve helped to make the virtual UK OSPAs event such a success, among them TEAM Software (headline sponsor), Edith Cowan University (trophies and certificates), award category sponsors ADS, Bidvest Noonan, Cap Index, Cordant Security, CIS Security, Interserve First Security, the Nineteen Group, the National Security Inspectorate, Skills for Security, TrackTik and The Security.

Richard Jenkins, CEO at the NSI, commented: “We applaud all of the finalists and winners in this year’s awards scheme including those NSI-approved companies, their teams and individuals recognised as winners in six of the sixteen categories for their outstanding contributions. The OSPAs is firmly established as one of the most highly regarded and respected events in the security calendar, designed to recognise and celebrate the outstanding performance of individuals and organisations in the private security sector. All those who;ve been recognised thoroughly deserve their accolades and we congratulate them on their achievements and an ongoing commitment to excellence.”

The organisers also thank the many supporting associations, judges and media partners. Security Matters served as an Official Media Partner for the 2021 UK OSPAs.