It with regret and profound sadness that Infologue.com records the passing of Jorgen Philip-Sorensen CBE, MA who died on Monday in Switzerland aged 71. A leader and visionary who created so many industry benchmarks that we consider today as standard, especially in the area of frontline training and management development. Never satisfied Philip Sorensen pressed for higher industry standards throughout his life. He founded and funded the first residential training school in the British Security Industry. Yesterday current industry leaders paid their tributes to Philip Sorensen;
“Philip was undoubtedly the architect of the security industry as we know it today and was instrumental in creating G4S – an organisation which has become one of the world’s leading companies and largest private employers – touching the lives of millions of people along the way and ultimately chairing an organisation which employees 590,000 people. His philosophy that the front-line employees are the most important part of the organisation and the key to service delivery and business success, are at the heart of our business strategy today.” Commented Alf Duch-Pedersen, Chairman and Nick Buckles, CEO of the largest security business in the world G4S.
British Security Industry Association Chairman Stuart Lowden said “Philip Sorensen was one of the great figures of our industry over many decades. His lifelong commitment to the improvement of standards of conduct and training, and his deeply held belief in the development of his people was an example to all. His business foresight was acute and his entrepreneurial ability second to none.”
“Philip would often recall the days when he started in the industry, selling patrol services during the day and carrying them out himself at night. That grounding provided the basis for what became the Group 4 international security empire. He was generous to a fault and certainly the UK Private Security Industry has much to thank him for, not least the Sorensen Centre at Skills for Security.”
Jorgen Philip-Sorensen served as Chairman of the BSIA from June 1985 until June 1987, and as chairman of the original Guard and Patrol Section whilst he was managing director of BSIA founder-member company Factoryguards.