Bob Forsyth, the Managing Director of MITIE Total Security Management (TSM) introduces his thirteenth blog on Infologue.com. Bob writes: “I was delighted to win Security Guarding Company of the Year at the Security Excellence Awards last month. And since the ceremony I’ve been contemplating our achievements and planning how we will continue to evolve the business and achieve even more next year.
“The award was the recognition of significant change to our business model and setting the standards in the sector in terms of our risk based approach. I’m so pleased that our pioneering has been recognised by the industry; I had a clear vision when I took over TSM. I wanted us to start to set the pace and others to follow, I feel we have achieved this aim, and this recognition shows that our total security management ethos is the future of the industry.
“It’s also great to see that our ethos (being integrated, focused on risk and technology driven) is being adopted by my peers. I’m seeing more and more that our competitors are emulating us and are realising the need to change.
“I’m often asked if I’m concerned that others will follow our lead and my answer is always “no” because real thought leadership is about having the confidence to share ideas and is an important shift in running a successful business. Being far less guarded in sharing views and embracing the exchange of information can help to propel your business. I believe in actively promoting and discussing ideas that are relevant to my peer-base for the overall good of the industry. It’s a compliment that companies are looking to us for insight and vision, and making changes to their business models on the back of our approach.
“Innovation is a key element of thought leadership and something I’ve blogged about before. We recently held a round table dinner with a selection of our clients to get their views on developments in the industry, what’s important and the future of security. What was evident from the debates is that innovation definitely means different things within different sectors and organisations. This insight into our key clients’ mind sets and their opinions helps me to gage our next moves and also whether we are moving in the right direction and at the right pace.
“I talk a lot about pace in our business. Too often great ideas are not actioned quickly enough or decisions taken are too slow, we must have pace in everything we do to set us apart.
“My vision now is seeing new challenges and the most exciting part is still to come; my ideas are now forming for the next push into other areas and opportunities that will once again move us away from the norm and into the future as a pace setter of change and innovation.
“My personal experience of MITIE being a thought leader has been enlightening and has shown that it is necessary to deliver far beyond the services we initially offer. Through dialogue with industry bodies and sector communities, and effective partnerships with clients it has been possible to educate and drive awareness of the need to change and shape security for the future.”
MITIE Total Security Management Website
With over 17 years’ experience in the security industry, Bob is a proven achiever at a high level. He is a strong relationship builder who is financially astute with excellent negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to work with people at every level. A team player, Bob is able to lead by example.
Bob was promoted to the position of Managing Director of MITIE’s security business in April 2010 after several notable achievements since joining the company in 2004, including his win of the prestigious MITIE new business award.
Having successfully implemented the merger with Initial Security in the Southern region and developing a profitable part of the business, Bob has continuously worked towards expansion including the implementation of the response service, and has significantly contributed towards year on year growth. In June 2009, Bob initiated the launch of the business’ total security management ethos; to take an integrated risk-based approach to security, incorporating people, technology and consultancy services.
Bob continues to move the business forward and has delivered record EBITA profit. He has increased business retention and launched new services lines including lone worker, void secure, employee screening, and security risk and business resilience. Under his leadership, MITIE’s total security management business has grown into an organisation with a turnover in excess of £280m. He takes every opportunity to promote MITIE’s presence within the industry through his involvement with industry bodies such as City Security and Resilience Networks (CSARN) and the British Security Industry Authority (BSIA).
A member of the Institute of Directors (IOD), the Security Institute and Resilience Industry Suppliers Community (RISC), Bob is championing the development of the security industry from a guarding-focused, low-end purchase, to a risk-based, technology-driven industry, and plans to work closely with the BSIA and his peers to accomplish this. Bob is passionate about the security industry and enjoys speaking at events such as TINYg in New York, CSARN conferences, and various other security and risk events.
Bob writes a regular blog for the internet news provider infologue.com to share his vision of the industry’s future. He is also an avid tweeter; taking to the social media site to both promote his ideas and listen to others from around the industry.
In his spare time Bob enjoys sports and is a devoted West Ham fan. He also appreciates current affairs, military history and travel.
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