 |
Our Chairman's Keynote Speech |
|
|
|
 |
The second Security Industry Authority conference of the year was opened and chaired by Dave Humphries, Director of Compliance, Intelligence and Communication, who welcomed delegates to the Sheffield venue. He stressed the importance of industry input as we develop plans for the future of regulation for the private security industry.
The audience then heard from SIA Chairman Baroness Ruth Henig,
whose keynote speech outlined the achievements of the SIA
so far - such as compliance and enforcement activity and
excluding unfit individuals from
the industry, and the success of the Appoved Contractor scheme
- and gave an overview of intentions for the future.
She told delegates:
"We must ensure that together we build upon previous achievements in regulation, and develop a regime suitable for an evolving industry. We know that regulation needs to change and adapt to remain relevant in years to come. This will mean a lighter touch for compliant businesses and individuals, a lower cost approach, focussed on business licensing with businesses taking primary responsibility for checking and registering their employees, and the industry taking increased responsibility for driving up standards."
She called upon delegates to share with the SIA what they saw as the priorities, and to work together to ensure adequate and appropriate regulation for the future.
Read the complete speech  (PDF, download size: 25kb)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
 |
Ruth's comments were reinforced by Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone, who in a video message said that the conference presented "a fantastic opportunity for you, the members of the private security industry, to come together to discuss the challenges, and contribute to the shaping of, the future of, your industry." She said:
"There are important developments occurring within the private security sector. The Government hopes that these developments will lead to better regulation of the industry across the UK, ensuring that the private security industry continues to flourish whilst maintaining the high standards it has previously achieved, in helping to secure public protection."
Watch Lynne's message online
Read the message (PDF, download size: 21kb) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
An
overview of plans for the transition was delivered by Hazel
Russell, SIA Director of Transition, in her presentation
'SIA
Proposals for the Future'. She explained the
key components of future regulation: a new regulatory
body outside government, the licensing of businesses,
and a register of individuals who are fit and proper to
work in the private security industry, underpinned by
effective
compliance and enforcement.
Stephen McCormick, SIA Director of Service Delivery, then spoke on 'Designing
Services Fit for the Future'. He said that with future regulation being developed to be business focussed and to achieve reduced burden and cost, there would need to be changes and improvements to service delivery. He described current plans to continue to improve the licensing and customer service, such as website improvements, a better bulk application process, and electronic contact and payment methods.
View Hazel's presentation (PDF, download size: 52kb)
View Stephen's presentation (PDF, download size: 259kb)
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
The morning concluded with two discussion groups on the development of key operational functions.
'The Approved Contractor Scheme and the Future of the Hallmark'
was chaired by ACS Assistant Director Andrew Shephard and Quality Assurance Manager
Jody Parker. They set out plans for approved contractors to automatically qualify
for the new business licence, and for the current Approved Contractor Scheme
to
continue at least until compulsory business licensing is established. Delegates
at the
session
agreed that the continuation of a hallmark scheme was crucial, in order to differentiate
between the quality mark and the compulsory business licence. They called for
acknowledgement of ACS membership within business licensing criteria, a continued
licence dispensation scheme, and for all public sector contracts to be awarded
to ACS contractors.
'Individual Applications, the Challenge for Employers' was delivered
by Assistant Director of Customer Service and Quality Improvement Christy Hopkins.
He explained that individual applications would be primarily the responsibility
of businesses, with applications submitted through an employer or 'Mediated Access
Partner', being e-enabled to ensure reduced burden and duplication. Applications
would only be for new entrants, renewals would be replaced by a regular
subscription, and a revocation and suspension process would remain in place.
In feedback, delegates stressed the importance of maintaining public safety through
regular
criminal record checks. They also said that as plans developed they would want
clarification on how the qualifications upload and checking process would work.
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
James Kelly,
Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association
(BSIA) and Chairman of the Security Regulation Alliance,
introduced the Security Alliance's new name: the Security
Regulation Alliance.
He talked about the history of the Security Regulation
Alliance, its aims and objectives, its members and the
organisation's strategic principles. James told delegates
about the progress the Alliance has made to date and
what it hopes to achieve in the future.
Alastair Thomas, CCTV Policy Lead at the Home Office, discussed surveillance camera systems and the regulations affecting them. Alastair discussed the need for regulation and what is proposed for the future.
Ian Thomas, Head of Security and Resilience at the London Organising Committee for Olympic Games (LOCOG), discussed security requirements for the Olympics and Paralympics Games in London 2012. Ian spoke about the key elements of LOCOG's security strategy.
Paul Evans from KPMG, previously Director of Interventions at the Serious and
Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), discussed organised crime. Paul talked about the
diversity of organised crime, from narcotics to mass-marketing fraud initiatives.
He also
spoke about techniques that can be used to tackle organised crime, and how SOCA
can share data with other government agencies. |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
Final Word from our Chief Executive |
|
|
|
 |
SIA Chief Executive Bill Butler closed the conference by thanking all of the speakers and reflecting on the day's key messages.
Bill told delegates that now is the time for regulation
to move on - from a position of strength, when regulation is working. The risks
the
industry
and
the
regulator face are very different to those that the SIA was originally created
to address.
He
said
that
the proposed
changes are in the interests of the industry: they reduce costs and allow the
regulator to focus on the standards of businesses within the industry, particularly
those businesses that do not comply.
Bill welcomed colleagues from the Scottish and Northern Ireland governments, who are a key part of the thinking and discussions to date, and encouraged delegates who work across boundaries within the UK to engage with the various governments to make sure their views are reflected in the decisions being made.
Bill closed the conference by reflecting on the passion and interest in the industry to get regulation of the private security industry right. He said:
"I am conscious of the rapid progress and many changes that have been made throughout the past year. But, now that we are in the position of having a clear commitment from Government, and a clear framework for the future of regulation, this will mean a considered pace of change. We will take the time to make sure we get the details right, and that you in the industry have the time to give the necessary input and of course to adapt to the new regulatory regime." |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
About This Newsletter |
|
|
|
Disclaimer |
|
|
|
All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the information contained in this communication is accurate at time of release.
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
If you do not wish to receive further mailings please unsubscribe here. Please note that your email address has been taken from our own mailing lists and your details are not shared with any organisations outside the Security Industry Authority.
If this newsletter has been forwarded to you and you would like to receive future editions directly, you can subscribe by entering your details into the Sign Up For Information form on our website.
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
