Jǿrgen Philip-Sǿrensen CBE MA (JPS) is this year’s recipient of the Infologue.com ‘Building the Future’ Award. It was agreed with the majority of the previous recipients to posthumously make this award to JPS because, in reality, Jǿrgen Philip-Sǿrensen was the architect of the modern security industry. His contribution to the development of his own employees as well as that of industry standards entirely changed the landscape of the UK security sector for the better. The award was presented to two of his children Mark Sǿrensen and Louisa Mann at the BSIA Annual Lunch on 14 July 2010 by Editors of Infologue.com and SMT Online, and sponsored by Interconnective Limited.
Tributes from security industry leaders at his Memorial Service, held on 26 February at Worcester Cathedral, serve as a reminder of the tremendous and invaluable contribution to our industry made by Jǿrgen Philip-Sǿrensen…
“One of JPS’ greatest legacies was his belief that his security personnel should be well trained and made to feel valued. His training school at Broadway was a testament to this. Over more than three decades, thousands of security personnel, from humble security guards starting out in their new job to experienced security managers and professionals, spent days and sometimes weeks learning their trade on the Broadway Estate. What they were taught, whether security specific subjects or general management training, became affectionately known as ‘The Group 4 Way’” (Linda Sharpe, Non-Executive Director of the Security Industry Authority)
“He was also a remarkable businessman and an inspiring leader who, even when his health was suffering, played a major role in the global security industry and influenced its development and the constant drive for improving the quality and reputation of the industry. One of the things that we know, and have heard time and time again from those around him, is that he always made time for the front line employees. He knew they were the true ambassadors of the company and, if you took care of them, then they would take care of the business”
(Alf Duch Pederson, Chairman of G4S plc)
“The ability to attract competent people all over the world at all levels and the courage to give them responsibility is among the explanations of Philip’s quiet success as a global entrepreneur. Also, the combination of ‘sense of the detail’ and ‘we must have fun’ were among Philip’s secrets”
(Waldemar Schmidt, Former CEO, ISS)
Profile – Nils Jǿrgen Philip-Sǿrensen CBE MA
Bo, Sweden in 1938, Mr N J Philip- Sǿrensen was a Swedish citizen and educated at Herlufsholm and Niels Brock in Denmark. He started work in his father’s security company in Sweden and England as a security guard, supervisor, salesman and area manager. His first assignment outside Sweden was in the UK in 1958, and in 1962 he was sent to Belgium by his father with a one-way ticket and £5,000. He created the Belgian operation, which subsequently became Group 4’s second largest operation after the UK. He started up the majority of the Group 4 companies outside Scandinavia, principally by organic growth. He was well known for his entrepreneurship. Mr Philip- Sǿrensen initiated the campaign for licencing of the UK private security in 1971, and saw his ambition realised with the Royal Assent of the Private Security Industry Bill in 2001. He also initiated the entry of the private security industry into public/private sector partnerships (such as the management of HM Prisons in the United Kingdom). These activities operated under the name Global Solutions Limited in Malmo
In 2000, Group 4 Securitas and Falck A/S (a safety and security company listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange) merged to create Group 4 Falck A/S. Mr Philip-Sǿrensen described the merger as the “dream ticket” and became Chairman and main shareholder of the newly-merged Group. In 2004, Group 4 Falck demerged its Global Solutions and Safety & Rescue companies, and merged its security business with Securicor plc to form Group 4 Securicor plc. The Group, since renamed G4S, now operates in more than 110 countries and is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a secondary listing in Copenhagen. Employing 590,000 people, G4S is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange. Mr Philip-Sǿrensen was Chairman of the Board of Directors until June 2006, and remained its major shareholder and President Emeritus until his death.
Mr Philip-Sǿrensen enjoyed sailing, travelling, photography and collecting books. He was a personal supporter of the Save the Children Fund, the Foundation for Liver Research and the European Centre for Allergy Research, and was a founder ‘Globetrotter’ Member of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. In 2000 he was awarded an honorary CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by HM Queen Elizabeth II for services to the private security industry. In 2008, he was awarded the Ridder af Dannebrog (Knight of the Danish Flag) by HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. He passed away peacefully in Switzerland surrounded by his loving wife and four children on 18 January 2010, aged 71.
In 2003, Logue Corporate introduced the Infologue.com ‘Building the Future’ Award, which is bestowed upon the person or organisation that – in the view of previous recipients as a collective – has created the most significant footprint on the road to a vibrant, professional and mutually profitable guarding industry. This award is presented jointly by the Editors of Infologue.com and SMT Online, and sponsored by Interconnective Limited.
Previous winners have included such industry luminaries as former British Security Industry Association Chief Executive David Dickinson, security industry company chairman Bill Muskin (VSG) and Chief Executives David Beaton (G4S), Stuart Lowden (Wilson James) and Ian Nisbet (G4S Cash Services).