Register of Chartered Security Professionals celebrates tenth anniversary

Posted to News on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Share:

IN THE wake of a dynamic year for recruitment, the Register of Chartered Security Professionals held its delayed annual celebratory dinner on Monday 27 September at the historic St Ermin’s Hotel in London. The event was attended by over 80 Chartered Security Professionals (CSyPs) and their guests and hosted by Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC, Patron of the Register of Chartered Security Professionals.

Not only was the prestigious occasion a celebration of the new Chartered Security Professionals who’ve been admitted to the Register since April 2020, but there was also special recognition afforded as the Register has now been in existence for ten successful years.

Paying tribute to the latter fact, Lord Carlile referenced the Register’s continuing success and the impact Chartered Security Professionals are making in the security business sector both as individuals and as a collective.

The original Project Teams and Working Groups had done their jobs well, observed Lord Carlile, as the standards for entry have remained relevant and correct ten years after launch.

As a mark of recognition, Baroness Ruth Henig of Lancaster CBE DL the current chair of the Registration Authority (who was unable to attend in person), had issued special tenth anniversary commemorative certificates and lapel pins which were presented to Mike Bluestone CSyP, David Gill CSyP, Angus Darroch-Warren CSyP, Garry Evanson CSyP and Kevin Blythe CSyP.

Guests attending included representatives from three returning sponsors – namely Dallmeier UK, Nineteen Events and Bidvest Noonan – alongside members of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, The Security Institute and ASIS International’s UK Chapter 208. All three organisations collaborate to drive awareness of the highest standards as represented and exemplified by those professionals who have attained Chartered status. Each organisation actively continues to contribute towards the Register’s success.

Guest speaker for the evening was Deputy Chief Constable Jane Gyford of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary who duly focused on the growth of professionalism in policing and security, paying tribute to the commitment of the Register to encourage applications from under-represented groups in order to provide a better, more rounded, diverse and inclusive standard for all.

Statistics and new Chartered Security Professionals

Since the Register’s launch back in 2011, there have been 381 applications for admittance with 226 of the individuals involved being successful. While the majority are based in the UK, there are now also CSyPs in Czech Republic, Albania, Australia, Canada, China, the Ivory Coast, France, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, the UAE and the USA.

Before the start of the formal dinner, 34 new CSyPs were presented with their certificates of admittance by Lord Carlile on the magnificent grand staircase of the hotel. As ever, there was an amazing atmosphere. The sheer variety, influence and reach of the 2020-2021 cohort was astonishing, with UK Government departments and the Armed Forces represented, so too companies including Associated British Ports, the National Nuclear Laboratory, Sodexo, Sky News, PwC and a myriad of highly qualified independent security consultants and security service providers.

During the dinner, Don Randall MBE CSyP presented Di Thomas with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the Register. Thomas has diligently served as the Register of Chartered Security Professionals’ administration manager since its inception, but will be stepping down from the role at the end of this month.

New conference launched

Earlier in the afternoon, CSyPs had held a conference to debate how best to develop career pathways and encourage diversity and inclusion within the security industry from cradle to grave.

Conference compere Rick Mounfield CSyP (CEO of The Security Institute) invited a specially selected panel comprising Paul Barnard CSyP, Enyioma Annaba, Dawn Holmes CSyP, Garry Evanson CSyP and Mahbubul Islam CSyP to share their own experiences.

Following on from this, Simon Hepburn (the newly appointed CEO of the UK Cyber Security Council) talked about his approach towards providing equal opportunities for career progression.

Both sessions led to lively round table debates and generated ideas to support future development, with the conference itself providing an opportunity for CSyPs to catch up with each other, while at the same time paving the way for future discussions and action.