Angela Vernon-Lawson appointed CEO at The Security Institute

Vernon-Lawson had previously been appointed as The Security Institute’s chief operating officer and was asked by the Board to take on the role of interim CEO in April last year.

The Board has witnessed a number of enhancements to the management of the Institute in the last eight months that serve to strengthen governance (more of which anon), improve operating practices and streamline ways of working.

While the organisation initially held an external recruitment process for the CEO’s role, Peter Lavery FSyI (chair of The Security Institute) stated: “It became very apparent that we already had the right individual working for us. Angela will be able to deliver enormous value to both the members and the wider security sector. As CEO, Angela brings a wealth of relevant and valuable experience from the realms of business and academia.”

Commenting on this development, Angela Vernon-Lawson stated: “It is a great privilege to be appointed CEO for The Security Institute on behalf of its members and build on the work already conducted. Going forward, I’m excited at the prospect of being able to enhance the member experience and explore new avenues for those already working in or otherwise exploring career opportunities within the security business sector.”

Vernon-Lawson holds an MSc in Risk and Security Management gained at the University of Leicester. A magistrate in the South and West Devon local justice area, she’s also a volunteer unit leader for the Police Cadets.

From May 2006 until August 2017, Vernon-Lawson served as a senior lecturer in the subjects of security, business continuity and resilience at Buckinghamshire New University. In parallel, from 2002 until February last year, Vernon-Lawson worked in the areas of close protection, surveillance and investigations on a freelance basis while running the Lawson Associates consultancy centred on strategic and operational security and risk management.

Governance review

While announcing Vernon-Lawson’s appointment to the membership, Lavery has also outlined some of the changes being made by the Institute following an “exceptional” 2022 that will position the organisation for meeting the challenges ahead in the New Year.

In recent times, The Security Institute instigated a comprehensive and externally supported governance review. The Board adopted the recommendations within the Institute’s regulations following a meeting held on 15 December. Those recommendations now adopted include:

*enhanced screening checks to align with the Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for directors and employees

*an expansion of ‘Conflict of Interest’

*the inclusion of two ‘independent directors’ on the Board

*the merging of the Audit and Risk Committees

*enhanced risk management through further alignment with the BPSS security policy and guidance

Lavery added: “Some small amendments have also been recommended for our Articles of Association and these will be shared in good time for members to consider prior to the 2023 Annual General Meeting.”

An independent review led by Julie Nel MSyI (former detective superintendent and director of intelligence for the City of London Police) is underway on conducting enhanced screening checks for directors and employees and the findings of that process will be provided by early February.

In conclusion, Lavery observed: “We are undertaking an implementation review to ensure that the organisational structures and processes remain focused on delivering for our members. An update will be provided at the 2023 Annual General Meeting.”