TSI London event focuses on guarding

31 Jan 10

The next Security Institute Members’ Evening takes place at London’s Victory Services Club, and features important speeches from Bill Muskin and Andrew Shephard. Brian Sims reports.

By Brian Sims

Regular readers of SMT Online/www.info4security.com will know that the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) – supported by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and Skills for Security – is concerned about what it perceives to be a lack of differentiation between the 658 companies logged to date on the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) register.

On the back of that concern, the Trade Association has established a Working Group that’s considering the establishment of an operational guarding standard. A standard that designed to recognise differentiation in quality of service delivery, etc across the sector.

The Security Institute’s chairman Mike Bluestone is a supporter of this move, and urges members of the organisation not only to attend this meeting – which takes place at the Victory Services Club, 63-79 Seymour Street, London W2 on Wednesday 10 February (start time 6.30 pm) – but also to participate in what is certain to be a lively discussion.

Muskin and Shephard air their views

Two prominent speakers will be there to air their views on the matter: Bill Muskin – the chairman and founder of multi-award winning security guarding solutions provider VSG (and chairman of the BSIA’s Security Guarding Section) – and Andrew Shephard, assistant director of the ACS on behalf of the Regulator.

Muskin commented: “It’s important to understand why we are conducting this exercise when you may be in the camp that argues, as an industry, we are already adequately covered by legislation, regulation and standards. Do you feel this is yet another process that will confuse procurement teams and end users? Either way, we’d welcome your input.”

On 21 December, Muskin wrote to industry colleagues to explain why the BSIA is making its move. This is what he had to say…

“I’m writing on behalf of the BSIA as chairman of a newly-formed Working Group looking at the opportunity to create a new operating standard to recognise the differentiation in quality within the security guarding industry.

“I am supported by the chief executives of both the National Security Inspectorate and also Skills for Security together with other members of the BSIA (including David Dickinson, who is bringing to the group the vast knowledge and experience he has accrued over the years).

“The BSIA issued a press release on this subject last November, and David states quite clearly that this will be the widest possible consultation process to ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to comment. It’s in this specific regard that I include you as a key part of this strategy."

Expectation from the industry

“To set the scene, it’s important to understand why we are conducting this exercise when you may be in the camp that argues, as an industry, we are already adequately covered by legislation, regulation and standards and this is just yet another process that will confuse procurement teams and end users.

“We strongly believe that this is not the case and, to explain, I would like to take you back to 2003-2004 when the SIA was working on a new standard called the ACS (Approved Contractor Scheme). There was much expectation and anticipation from the industry that this was going to be the key ‘differentiator’ in the industry, whereby the true quality companies would shine through. At the same time, the BSIA shelved its own work on a new voluntary standard – appropriately called ‘Towards The Future’ – because it was felt this would cause confusion through the Regulator’s own agenda.

“Moving on in time, we find ourselves in 2010 at a position where there are over 650 security companies with ACS accreditation. Congratulations to them all, as quite clearly they have met the Regulator’s standards. However, there is an ongoing view (that I personally support) to say that there are not 650 high quality security companies in the UK marketplace.

“This figure only serves to confuse procurement teams trying to establish the companies they should include in their tender processes. The current situation is also very frustrating to the companies that go that extra mile to make a difference when they themselves are lost in the vast numbers involved.

“The NSI has also identified that this is an issue, recently launching the Contract Quality Marque that identifies and recognises specific contracts operating beyond the norm. What it doesn’t cover, though, is the overall company operation whereby certain businesses are very keen to promote themselves on a wider basis and at a more premier level."

Private and public sectors involved

“The Working Group has met several times and decided that it would engage with everyone that has an interest in private security. This will include both the private and public sectors. We want to be able to say that, from senior Government officials and members of the police service through to every trade organisation, all will have had an opportunity to involve themselves at the planning stage.

“It’s an exciting piece of work that will come to fruition over the next two years. It will raise the benchmark and allow the quality companies to shine through. It’s anticipated it will carry a quality mark that may well be a new British Standard or some other institutional qualification. For certain, it will be the guarding standard to attain in the future.

“The standard itself will encompass several key elements including ACS, British Standards, company governance and registration, training, development and recognition of staff at all levels and Terms and Conditions of Employment together with operating systems and procedures.

“To get a view of the areas we are seeking to consider, we have prepared a framework document that sets down only the headings for consideration and discussion. I would like you to follow the link to this document (on the right hand panel of this page) and take the opportunity to agree or disagree with where we are at present. In this regard, if after viewing the document you feel that a more personal approach to the Working Group would be of benefit, then this can be accommodated."

Time to compose your thoughts

“We are seeking to demonstrate that we have exhausted the consultation process and captured comments from all relevant parties and individuals, and would be grateful for your response to b.muskin@bsia.co.uk ideally by 31 January 2010.

“In conclusion, I trust you will support the work we are undertaking and may I take this opportunity in thanking you on behalf of the Working Group for taking the time to read my letter and review our initial thoughts."

Event timings and booking details

The Security Institute’s Members’ Evening is sponsored by Counter Terror Expo 2010, and the usual attendance fee of £20 per head (including supper) is due upon booking.

The event timings are as follows:

18.00: Arrival and registration

18.30: Welcome from Mike Bluestone (chairman, The Security Institute)

18:40: Sponsors' Slot (Counter Terror Expo 2010)

18.45: Speaker 1 - Bill Muskin

19.15: Speaker 2 - Andrew Shephard

19:45: Supper is served

20:30: Guests disperse

Members and non-members are welcome. Institute members are actively encouraged to invite guests. This is a massively important topic and a meeting not to be missed (and you can earn two CPD points for good measure)!