UK Security Commonwealth opens nominations for 2026 David Clark Award

The full title of the honour is the David Clark CPP PCI PSP FISRM FInstLM Award for Exceptional Contribution to the UK Security Sector. It was first presented in 2021 as a lasting tribute to David Clark, former chair of the UK Security Commonwealth and of ASIS International’s UK Chapter.

Described by colleagues as a natural ‘people person’ with a selfless approach towards developing initiatives, teams and individuals, David made an exceptional voluntary contribution to the profession before his untimely death in 2019. The award builds on his legacy of encouraging continuous improvement across the UK security sector.

Two categories, six criteria 

Nominations are open in two categories: one honours an outstanding individual, the other a programme or initiative (including cross-organisational projects). Nominations require the recommendation of a UKSecurity Commonwealth member organisation.

Self-nominations are permitted, but must be approved by a relevant SyCom member body prior to submission. Written entries must be no more than 650 words and address all six judging criteria based on the UK Security Commonwealth’s high-level aims and objectives:

*achieves effective collaboration, co-operation and communication

*shares good practice and promotes continuous improvement

*supports industry development and engagement

*brings the UK security profession together under the ethos ‘Stronger Together’

*demonstrates SyCom’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

*provides clear evidence of an exceptional contribution to the UK security sector

Commercially focused applications, and those initiatives directly linked to sitting SyCom Board members, are excluded from consideration.

Transparent judging process 

Nominations will be assessed by an adjudication panel drawn from UK Security Commonwealth member organisations and other industry professionals, overseen by a UK Security Commonwealth moderating panel, with an independent adjudicator invited to safeguard consistency and transparency.

Completed and approved nominations should be e-mailed to [email protected] no later than 2 October.

Hosted by ASIS UK 

This year’s David Clark Award Ceremony will be hosted by ASIS UK as part of its annual Winter Event in central London on 19 November. Hosting duties rotate among UK Security Commonwealth member bodies as part of their own conference and business activities. Organisations interested in hosting a future ceremony are invited to contact the UK Security Commonwealth directly.

The UK Security Commonwealth retains overall ownership and management of the awards process to ensure that it remains open, inclusive and achievable for all of its members.

Strong legacy 

Recent winners reflect the breadth of contribution to the industry. In 2025, the individual award went to Nick Aldworth, a former senior counter-terrorism police officer who campaigned for Martyn's Law, while the Women’s Security Network won the group category.

In 2023, Safer Business Networks was recognised for its ‘Ask for Angela’ and WAVE initiatives promoting the safety of women in the night-time economy. In 2022, security consultant Roger Noakes of Daro Associates received the individual award for his voluntary contribution to industry representation.

The inaugural 2021 award went to the Inclusive Security Special Interest Group of The Security Institute.

How to enter 

Nomination forms and full guidance are available online at www.securitycommonwealth.org/dcaward Completed entries should be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] by 2 October.

*Further information is available online at www.securitycommonwealth.org