AUCSO honours former chair Les Allan with Fellowship

Posted to News on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Share:

THE ASSOCIATION of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), the leading organisation for security professionals working in the higher and further education sectors around the world, has announced that it will be awarding Les Allan, former chair of the organisation, with a Fellowship.

Allan served as AUCSO’s chair between 2021 and 2023 and in the role of vice-chair between 2019 and 2021. Recently retired from his role as director of safeguarding services at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Allan now works as a consultant for one of AUCSO’s partners, namely CriticalArc, the safety, security, well-being and emergency management solutions specialist.

AUCSO’s current chair, Oliver Curran, commented: “We are honoured to present Les with this award as he has worked tirelessly for AUCSO for so many years and been pivotal in shaping the direction of the Association. We wanted to recognise the outstanding contribution he has made over this period.”

Curran continued: “Throughout his time with AUCSO, Les has always actively promoted the sharing of Best Practice across the wider security sector, creating strategic alliances and encouraging collaboration and consultation with Government and regulatory agencies.”

Further, Curran stated: “He championed the use of innovative technology to enhance the reach of security provision and acted as a mentor to those just beginning their leadership careers, actively investing in the next generation of professionals working towards career progression. We are truly grateful for everything he has done.”

Experienced and influential leader

Julie Barker, chief operating officer at AUCSO, commented: “Les really does deserve this Fellowship. I’ve always admired his capability as an experienced and inspirational leader to develop new approaches to modernise security and safety by breaking down barriers to collaborative thinking and using his influence to support new initiatives and strategic alliances. Les is one in a million.”

Allan is only the seventh AUCSO Fellow, joining Alfred Feichtinger (the first European region chair), Bernadette Duncan MBE (chair in 2001-2002), Ray Wheatley (current Ireland region chair), David Owen (secretary from 2000-2017), Brian Scofield (treasurer from 2015-2019) and Trevor Jones, chair between 2018 and 2021 and vice-chair between 2015-2018.

Commenting on his Fellowship, Allan enthused: “I’m proud and delighted to have been afforded this honour and to be in such great company makes it even more special.”

Allan will be formally presented with the honour of being appointed a Fellow at the AUCSO Awards Ceremony 2025, which will take place in April as part of the AUCSO National Conference.