BSIA and The Security Institute sign Memorandum of Understanding

Both organisations, of course, are particularly strong voices representing professional security provision here in the UK and, under the new agreement, will support each other’s events and wider work within and across the sector.

The BSIA is the Trade Association for the professional security industry in the UK, The organisation represents a wide range of companies operating in the security industry. By turnover, its members are responsible for more than 70% of privately provided UK security products and services. The latter encompasses the manufacturing, distribution and installation of electronic and physical security equipment in addition to the delivery of security guarding and security consultancy services.

For its part, The Security Institute is the UK’s largest membership organisation for security professionals with upwards of 4,000 members at present. The Institute’s membership encompasses the breadth of the security industry and representatives from over 30 Government departments.

Since 2000, the Institute has been working diligently to promote the highest possible standards of integrity and professional competence across security as well as the continued professional development of its members.

Long history of collaboration

This new formalised relationship continues a long history of collaboration between the Institute and the BSIA. Last year, the two organisations joined forces – alongside The Security Commonwealth – to launch ‘The Hidden Workforce – Perceptions’ campaign. This awareness campaign served to highlight the essential role that security officers play in public life, and in particular since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking about the new agreement, The Security Institute’s CEO Rick Mounfield CSyP FSyI observed: “The Memorandum of Understanding between ourselves and the BSIA is a fantastic development, the benefits of which will be felt right across the security community. There’s so much to be gained from working more closely together as two established organisations seeking to support practising security professionals and raise standards within the security business sector. The ‘Hidden Workforce – Perception’ campaign is already a shining example of what can be achieved when we collaborate. I’m sure this is just the start of things to come.”

BSIA CEO Mike Reddington commented: “The value of work undertaken by those operating in the private security industry often goes unnoticed. The BSIA’s proactive collaboration with The Security Institute, which is formalised with this Memorandum of Understanding, will help to reinforce our collective commitment when it comes to raising awareness of the immense contribution that our industry makes when it comes to keeping people, property and places safe.”

Reddington added: “There are so many great opportunities being developed to drive our industry forward through the development of standards. The collaborative approach of the BSIA and the Institute, evidenced by our collaborative working, will enable us to further develop, promote and support this work at an accelerated pace.”