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Our Chairman's Keynote Speech |
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The SIA conference
was opened by our Chairman, Ruth Henig. Addressing the
200 strong audience at the Honourable Artillery Company
in central London, Ruth Henig called for views and input
during the transition to new regulation.
She told delegates:
"We have a real opportunity to reshape regulation, to further drive
up standards and reduce the threat from criminal activity. We want you, who work
in the industry, to be actively involved in the front line of change, making
it happen in a way which suits your needs. We want to see regulation based on
business registration, qualifications managed by the industry and a clear focus
on professionalism and on quality standards. Between us we have a real opportunity
to translate this vision into reality and to start to adapt the current regime
where we can to meet the needs of the future."
Read the complete speech (PDF, download size: 35kb)
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Following
Ruth's speech, Tyson Hepple, Home Office Director of
Civil Liberties and Public Protection, gave an overview
from
the Home Office, reiterating that there would be no significant
changes before the 2012 Olympics. He said:
"We have asked the SIA to work with you, the industry, towards the new regulatory regime. We are looking for a suitable legislative vehicle to wind down the SIA and put in place a new regulatory regime. What we want to achieve is a statutory regulator with teeth." |
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The final
keynote speech was given by Stephen McCormick, SIA Director
of Service Delivery, who outlined principles
for the new regulatory regime.
He highlighted that there would be continued robust compliance and enforcement,
with a new independent regulator outside government and a focus on the areas
of greatest risk. There will be business licensing, and a register of individuals
working in the industry, he continued. The new regime will mean a significant
transfer of responsibility to industry, with qualifications, professionalism
and quality the responsibility of industry. The aim is to reduce the overall
cost
of regulation, and to ensure that new regulation can meet the needs of Scotland & Northern
Ireland.
Stephen McCormick said:
"We need to ensure continued compliance and licensing under current regulation, and start work on transferring activities to the new regime. It is important that we maintain stability and continuity."
View Stephen's presentation (PDF, download size: 59kb) |
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Following the keynote speeches,
delegates attended two of three discussion groups: 'A
New Regulatory Framework', 'Business Registration' and 'Designing
the Future'. They then returned to
the conference hall to hear feedback from the three sessions.
David Evans, of the BSIA, presented the feedback from the 'Regulatory Framework' session. The key themes were:
- The ACS - where does the scheme
fit in with business registration and will compliance scores be used?
- Training standards - need to ensure quality and standards of on-the-job-training.
- Why is the government changing what is working already?
- Previous investment in regulation and the ACS needs recognition.
Mike Hurst, from ASIS, presented the feedback from the 'Business Registration' session. The key themes were:
- Directors and those with a controlling
interest in the business should undergo criminal records checks.
- There should be quality standards
placed on companies
- There should be random inspections
of businesses registered with the SIA.
Chris Bolton, from EDI, presented the feedback from the 'Designing the Future' session. The key themes were:
- Quality assurance - important to get the balance right, not too high or low.
- Trusted Service Partners - welcomed, but concerns raised about transparency, costs, and that it may be more advantageous for larger companies.
- Qualifications - competency criteria should be managed by a suitable/appropriate industry body or concern.
- Competency standards - should not be so high that they exclude people from the industry, but also not too low.
- ACS marque should be maintained by independent authority.
- Consultation essential to ensure industry input.
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Security at the 2012 Olympic Games |
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The afternoon
session began with a presentation on Olympic security
from BSIA Olympic Project Director David Evans. He gave
an overview of the impact of the Olympic and Paralympic
Games, how businesses can draw up an action plan, and
considerations and impact in terms of staff, customers
and suppliers. He also spoke about the Bridging the Gap
project, which is being run in colleges throughout the
UK to train security staff in the run up to the Games,
and how this would help in the olympic legacy and encouraging
people into the industry longer term.
View David's presentation (PDF, download size: 1,012kb) |
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SIA board
member Bill Matthews then chaired a panel discussion:
'Security Now and in the Future: What the Transition
Means to Us'. Ben Dyer, Security Director at Goldman
Sachs; John Ludley, Director at insurer Sutton Specialist
Risks;
Geoff Zeidler, UK MD of Securitas Security Services;
and Cathie Smith, Director of awarding body BIIAB, discussed
the impacts of the transition to a new regulatory regime
for the security industry on their different sectors.
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Final Word from our Chief Executive |
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SIA Chief
Executive Bill Butler closed the conference by reflecting
on a busy
and challenging year for the industry and highlighting
the day's key themes. He noted the progress that has been
made so far, and the significant input from the industry.
Looking to the future, Bill told delegates that coming
years will see new legislation for the private security
industry to allow for business licensing, individual registration
and a change to the regulator's status.
Bill Butler thanked the speakers, saying they had given delegates a clear understanding
of where the SIA and the industry stood currently. Drawing out the day's key
themes, Bill talked about the feeling amongst some delegates that regulation
should not change, saying that the way the industry is regulated has to move
on. He talked about the large scale of the transition, and highlighted the need
for maintaining the level of engagement with the industry and stakeholders throughout
the transition. He drew attention to the work of the Security Alliance in trying
to bring together views from across the industry.
Bill acknowledged the strong feeling amongst delegates that their investment
in
the
Approved
Contractor
Scheme
and the investment of individual licence holders must be maintained - the new
regime must build on this.
He said:
"The new regime needs to learn from both good and bad past experiences
and anticipate what the industry will need in the future. Extensive consultation
will be needed and this engagement will inform the detail of the new regulatory
regime. I ask you to get involved and tell the SIA what you
are thinking. I thank delegates for their time, their support and their involvement." |
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About This Newsletter |
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Disclaimer |
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All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the information contained in this communication is accurate at time of release.
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