Programme unveiled for OSPAs Thought Leadership Summit 2022

The programme boasts an impressive line-up of speakers covering a wide range of key topics relevant to the security industry in its entirety.

What are the expectations of the security sector now? A police perspective

There was a time when the security sector was widely berated by senior police officers for its failure to deliver, most notably in reference to the high levels of false alarm activations that wasted a good deal of police time. Roll on two decades, though, and the landscape has changed.

The ECHO project has pioneered new ways of working. The security sector has stepped up to the mark, but the policing response has been disappointingly slow. Is it time for the security business sector to argue that it’s the police service which now needs to ‘get its act together’? What does the police service want from security sector at the present time? What should happen next?

Speakers: Ian Dyson QPM (recently retired Commissioner of the City of London Police) and Geoff Zeidler (chair of the Police and Security Group)

What is it realistic to expect from the regulator?

Since the Security Industry Authority (SIA) was formed, there has been a call for its remit to be focused in a different way, with many calling for more industry coverage and a greater level of enforcement. In short, there’s an apparent desire for more action.

Given that the SIA is restricted by statute, what can the industry reasonably expect from its regulator? In what ways can the SIA inspire, nudge, influence and incentivise in a landscape where its powers are somewhat limited? Just how far is the regulator prepared to go?

Speaker: Michelle Russell (CEO, Security Industry Authority)

The Protect Duty: What are the implications and opportunities for the security sector? 

This panel discussion will review the Government’s Protect Duty consultation and opportunities for improved collaboration to support the broader Protect agenda. More specifically, are current security risk assessments being delivered by the private sector as effective as they could be? What should be introduced and why?

Speakers: Andrew Donaldson (head of security at Real Estate Management UK Ltd), John Frost (group head of business continuity and chair of the Retail Business Continuity Association) and Stuart Toal (head of non-motor commercial insurance for Allianz UK)

Who are the winners and losers among security suppliers? What the bosses say

The last two years have been monumental for the security sector. Among suppliers there have been both winners and losers, while there’s general recognition that the post-COVID environment brings new opportunities.

In this session, there will be an exploration of the views of those who’ve led through the crisis. What do they expect to happen next. Who will be the winners and losers going forward and why?

Speakers: Paul Evans (CEO, Carlisle Support Services) and Christian Watts (managing director of fire and security systems at Mitie)

What are the barriers and opportunities for industry collaboration? How can the sector present a more united front?

The industry needs to work together to present the best image of its work and to present itself as a sector that’s easier to engage with given that, at present, it appears to be somewhat fragmented.

Do the competing priorities between different associations, and the commercial rivalries among security companies, render true collaboration difficult? How good are current initiatives and how might they be improved?

Speaker: Jayne King (chair of The Security Commonwealth)

Doors to the OSPAs Thought Leadership Summit will open at 11.30 am. Luncheon will be provided and there’s going to be an exhibition of products and services. The event will finish at 5.00 pm. The UK OSPAs awards dinner will follow at 6.45 pm.

Places at the OSPAs Thought Leadership Summit are limited. Individual delegate places are priced at £45 +VAT. This includes luncheon, entrance to the exhibition, the OSPAs Summit itself and afternoon refreshments. Tickets may be booked online at: https://uk.theospas.com/ospas-thought-leadership-summit/

About the Outstanding Security Performance Awards 

The Outstanding Security Performance Awards is an independent global awards scheme currently running in 13 countries to recognise and reward companies and individuals across the security sector.

The OSPAs are designed to be both independent and inclusive, providing an opportunity for outstanding performers to be recognised and their success to be celebrated across the security business sector and among its client base.