Angus Darroch-Warren was named as the recipient of the Wilf Knight Award 2010 at the recent Security Excellence Awards held in London, narrowly beating several other very high quality entries.
This annual award was established by the Security Institute in 2009 to recognise distinction in academic study and in particular, academic contributions to the development of professional security management.
The award is dedicated to the memory of the late Wilf Knight, who until his untimely passing three years ago, was one of the most respected security consultants in the professional sector. As well as being a former senior and accomplished police officer, Wilf was the holder of two Masters Degrees, and a Fellow of the Security Institute. He truly appreciated professional and academic excellence, and the Security Institute resolved to let Wilf’s memory live on through this annual award.
Universities and other degree training providers were invited to nominate a student project, report or dissertation, written as coursework, which showed particular distinction and/or innovation and which made a valuable contribution to the field of security management or practice. The winning entry submitted by Loughborough University tackled the subject of ‘Licensing the Investigators: How and to what extent will proposed competency criteria for the Private Investigation sector lead to greater professionalism within the Security industry?’
The Award winner, Angus Darroch-Warren, currently works as a Senior Consultant with Linx International Ltd and is a member of the Institute’s Academic Board. Completion of his MSc in Security Management provided the additional credits required to gain Fellowship of the Institute.
With an established career in security, subsequent to a career in law enforcement, Angus decided to undertake the MSc in order to underpin his operational experience and knowledge with a recognised academic qualification. Angus commented “sound practical knowledge, relevant academic study and continuous professional development are essential components needed to demonstrate personal professionalism in an increasingly competitive market place and ever developing industry sector. Winning the 2010 WKA is a great honour that fully justifies all the time and effort spent completing the MSc over the last three years. ”
The judging panel were Patricia Knight, Mike Bluestone, Brian Sims, Charlie Swanson and Stephane Vuille, led by Garry Evanson, each judging the submissions against a variety of specified criteria.
Comments made by the judges included:
‘A thought provoking and topical paper, which offers real practical value to the private security sector’
‘A persuasive and well researched study which was easy to read. What in particular marks this out is the extensive and well honed research and in the final analysis the contribution made to the industry and at a time when regulation is on point. A worthy winner.’
‘If this dissertation is read and debated by relevant regulators and legislators, it will introduce common sense to a debate which has no common form or rationale’.
Runners up were Major Geraint Evans (Cranfield University) and Christopher Wagg (Portsmouth University) who, along with Angus, will each receive Certificates at the Institute’s Remembrance Day Lecture to be held on 11th November 2010 at Nomura Bank, London. Further booking details are available at www.security-institute-shop.org