“During my chairmanship I wish to assist British Security Industry Association (BSIA) in building on its strengths so that it is viewed as the differentiator of choice for the end-user. I also wish to encourage more members to get actively involved in the Association so that we can drive the security guarding sector forward, encouraging best practice and raising standards," commented Bill Muskin today on his appointment as the new BSIA Security Guarding Section Chairman. Other new BSIA appointments made at their Annual General Meeting today included; BSIA section chairmen and vice-chairmen...

Officers from Norfolk Constabulary’s Licensing Regulation Team and investigators from the Security Industry Authority recently carried out an operation to check licensed door staff and security guards across Norwich city centre. The joint operation was held on Saturday 11 July 2009 to coincide with the celebrations held around the Lord Mayor’s Procession and enabled officers and investigators to check that all security operatives held Security Industry Authority licences.The operation checked 38 security operatives at 11 venues, including some security operatives who were working on be...

The British Security Industry Association has this week held the inaugural meeting of its new Close Protection Section. The section has been formed to provide representation for companies providing close protection services within the UK. During its inaugural meeting, David Allison, Managing Director of Octaga Security Services Ltd was elected as the section's chairman.David Allison comments: "It is an honour to have been elected as the first chairman of the BSIA's Close Protection Section. The section has brought together quality companies who wish to raise the profile of close protect...

Leading global security solutions group G4S today announces the appointment of Clive Hayton as Director of Global Security Technology. Clive, who has 20 years’ experience in technology and security, joins from Chubb Security UK where as Managing Director he was responsible for the integration of the Initial and Chubb electronic security businesses in the UK.  Prior to that Clive held a number of senior roles within Initial Group companies focusing on running the electronic security business in Europe and the USA. Clive’s role is one of a number of senior new positions being created by G4S...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) and City of London Police found two door staff working illegally following checks at City bars and clubs on Saturday 4 July 2009. One doorman was working with a revoked licence and the other with a forged licence –both licences were confiscated and prosecutions may follow. By law, all door supervisors must hold a front line SIA licence and display this whilst working.The checks were part of an ongoing operation targeting security provision at venues in the area. Nine events in City venues were inspected with 51 security operatives checked – 49 were...

The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is a hugely valuable tool for buyers, if used wisely and not in isolation believes Stuart Lowden, the Chairman of the British Security Industry Association and Managing Director of Wilson James Ltd. “Whilst the SIA would claim it to be a scheme that ensures good practice, I would argue that it is more a benchmark of adequate practice and should give buyers comfort that acceptable standards will be delivered. In the very simplest terms, those buyers selecting companies who are not ACS need to do extensive r...

A Blackburn woman has been found guilty of working as a security director without a holding a licence from the Security Industry Authority. Tracy Brownridge, (26) from Blackburn, was a director of Universal Security Solutions Limited based in Accrington, Lancashire. Yesterday, she appeared at Accrington Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to five counts under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001– working without an SIA licence and one count under Section 9 – failing to adhere to licence conditions. During the hearing, the Magistrates were advised that Mrs Brownridge realise...

SectorGuard announces that following shareholder approval obtained at the General Meeting held on 29 June 2009, the name of the Company has today been changed to Legion Group plc.  The Company will trade with that name on AIM, with a new TIDM, 'LGNG', with effect from 2 July. Shareholders are advised that existing share certificates in the name of SectorGuard plc will remain valid, and that any new share certificates which are issued by the Company will be issued in the name of Legion Group plc. In order to reflect the new name, the Company intends to launch a new website which will be foun...

Julie Kenny CBE DL has been appointed as the new vice-chairman of the British Security Industry Association. Julie Kenny has been involved in the BSIA for some 17 years including two stints as Chairman of the Security Equipment Manufacturers Section. Julie is Managing Director of Pyronix Limited, and Chairman, CEO and major shareholder of its parent company Secure Holdings Limited. John Bates, BSIA Chief Executive, comments: "Julie brings to the role within the BSIA a wealth of experience of the private security industry and extensive knowledge of the workings of the Association. As a champi...

London 2012 security planners in the Home Office are inviting members of the security industry to an innovative workshop on national co-ordination. The event, held by the Government's Olympic and Paralympic Security Directorate (OSD), is aimed at raising awareness of Games security planning, and drawing on the widespread experience and expertise in the private sector.. Organisers want to harness industry expertise to highlight any issues that they will face in terms of timescales, procurement, capacity and capability around national co-ordination, to help refine the specification for the pro...