Angela Vernon Lawson appointed chief operating officer at The Security Institute

The role of chief operating officer is a new position as the Institute continues to expand in terms of its influence and membership. Vernon Lawson will now provide operational leadership oversight of membership engagement in addition to dealing with aspects of routine business administration.

Through this role, Vernon Lawson will support the Institute in targeting the five key business objectives outlined by the chair and Board of Directors in 2021: ‘Membership experience’, ‘Professionalisation’, ‘Influence’, ‘Next Generation’ and ‘Ethics, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’.

Vernon Lawson boasts an extensive career CV when it comes to security and business continuity consultancy, having supported global and national operations for clients in the finance, aviation, media, sport, utilities and defence sector. This practising professional also brings a wealth of valuable experience gained in Higher Education, Further Education, vocational developments and Awarding Organisation responsibilities. In 2021, Vernon Lawson became one of only 235 registered Chartered Security Professionals.

Education director

Since 2011, Vernon Lawson has been an engaged member of The Security Institute and served as director of education for the organisation between 2015 and 2021. As the Institute’s education lead, Vernon Lawson created the Approved Training Provider scheme, wrote a security apprenticeship strategy paper and now continues to represent the Institute as part of the Trailblazer security apprenticeship group.

Vernon Lawson was also a member of both the Institute’s Remuneration and Ethics Committees and sponsoring director for the Security, Education, Accreditation, Training and Standards and Business Continuity, Emergency Planning, Crisis Management and Resilience Special Interest Groups.

Since leaving the Institute’s Board of Directors in 2021, she has remained involved with the Membership Management Advisory Group as well as the organisation’s mentoring programme.

In addition to her history of volunteering through The Security Institute, Vernon Lawson also dedicates her time as a Unit Co-ordinator for the Volunteer Police Cadets in her local area, serves as a Magistrate in the Family Court and is part of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy (a local forum). She has completed ‘Train the Trainer’ for restorative relationships, DASH risk assessments and ‘Bystander’ intervention strategies.

Changing times

Speaking about her appointment, Vernon Lawson commented: “I’m delighted to be joining The Security Institute as its newly-appointed chief operating officer at a time when the security sector is changing. The need for a well-informed, professional and disciplined workforce with the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to successfully protect people and assets in various settings is increasing. Since I joined the Institute back in 2011, I’ve witnessed the organisation go from strength to strength. I firmly believe the Institute will be intrinsic to supporting industry professionals when it comes to preparing for what lies ahead in an evolving landscape. I’m excited to be part of that journey.”

The Security Institute’s Chair Peter Lavery FSyI has welcomed Vernon Lawson to the team. He stated: “We are pleased to welcome Angela to our head office team. She joins us after serving as a director of the Institute for six years. We’re delighted to be gaining her invaluable experience and knowledge as a Chartered Security Professional.”

Lavery continue: “As well as being a key influencer within our community, Angela's passions align with the Institute’s key business objectives, as demonstrated through her extensive experience within the Institute. Her new role will be linked to these objectives and she will no doubt prove instrumental in the Institute's continued growth and influence. We’re very privileged to have Angela’s expertise within our team and I’m very much looking forward to working with her.”

Rick Mounfield CSyP FSyI, CEO of The Security Institute, added: “Angela brings a whole new set of skills to the executive function and the leadership of the operational staff. Her ability gives me confidence to change the path of the Institute to achieve bigger and better outcomes for the benefit of the members and the security industry as a whole. Her knowledge of the training and development world will be invaluable, but it’s her ability to inspire and enhance the outstanding work our staff deliver on a daily basis that gives me most optimism. I’m personally delighted with her appointment.”