G4S Secure Solutions (‘G4S’), the UK’s leading security company, has today appointed Professor Dr G Keith Still BSc PhD FIMA as a Senior Consultant in Crowd Management in its G4S Events business. Professor Dr Still is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost experts in crowd dynamics and has provided advice to organisers of a wide range of mass participation events around the world.
At G4S, he will be a key contributor to the company’s consultancy-led delivery of major event safety and security solutions and will augment and optimise G4S’s existing offering to police services, venue owners and event promoters. G4S Events is Europe’s leading independent event security company and provides crowd management services to events such as Party Political Conferences, the G20 Summit, The Championships Wimbledon, the V Festival and the recent Ryder Cup.
Prior to joining G4S, Professor Dr Still was the founder and Chief Technology Officer of Crowd Dynamics, an international consultancy advising on crowd safety during normal and emergency situations. His mathematical and behavioural modelling and simulation tools led to the development of a systematic blueprint now widely used by the crowd safety industry. He also runs workshops to teach others the theory of crowd dynamics and how to apply it to real events.
Alongside training and teaching, Keith’s current assignments at G4S include crowd modelling projects for the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia attended by around three million pilgrims.
Professor Dr Still, Senior Consultant at G4S Events, said: “I am delighted to be joining G4S which has an excellent track record of high quality performance and innovation in managing major events. Central to the success of an event is the enjoyment of the attendees. This is inextricably linked to the safety and security of both attendees and those working there. Organisers need to understand the dynamics of crowd behaviour when an event is going well, but also how groups react under pressure. Likewise, it is essential that there is close liaison between organisers, those providing security and the emergency services. I look forward to helping G4S maintaining its leading position in the delivery of high quality crowd management solutions.”
Mark Hamilton, Managing Director, G4S Events, said: “Ever changing demands in the events market require G4S continually to strive for excellence and innovation. Keith brings an unparalleled mix of crowd dynamics theory and practical business experience. His appointment represents a very significant addition to our capabilities in crowd management and our delivery of security and safety services in crowded places. It is another example of our unrivalled emphasis on continuous improvement in every service we to deliver to our clients.”