It was at this famous location that Prime Minister Winston Churchill conducted operations during the Second World War.
The choice of venue continued the theme of splendid locations following last year’s event on HMS Belfast.
It was all the more poignant with the terribly sad news that a one-time veteran of HMS Belfast and IPSA chief inspector Bruce Woodcock had died suddenly a few days previously.
Quoting from a tribute message written by one of Bruce’s early clients, acting IPSA chairman Mike White highlighted the special attention given by Bruce to his role as a mentor and guide to new entrants to the profession, and indeed his sustained interest in their progress and success thereafter.
Bruce had loyally served IPSA for over three decades and in various roles. A minute’s silence followed to mark his passing, and to express the organisation’s condolences to his wife Lyn and surviving family members.
In the absence of the IPSA chairman David Barratt, Mike White opened the meeting and welcomed the members and several guests (including Dave Humphries and Robin Dahlberg from the Security Industry Authority).
Robust response to the Government’s decision
Delivering the chairman’s address, Mike White surveyed the past year’s activities at the Association, noting the robust response to the Government’s threatened abolition of the Regulator that involved IPSA and a number of other organisations.
Subsequently, IPSA had been prominent in the various stakeholder consultations between the SIA and the industry that continued towards an agreement for a new regulatory regime that would be effective, efficient and cost-effective for both Government and the industry itself.
In addition, the Association was represented on several British Standards review committees and, in this way, ensured that the interests of members and member companies were taken into consideration in determining industry standards and Best Practice.
IPSA CEO Justin Bentley summarised his written report, highlighting the important role IPSA forged by IPSA in the many consultations that were taking place between stakeholders and the SIA (most notably through The Security Regulation Alliance).
Bentley stressed that IPSA members would be kept fully informed of developments and, if they had views and comments that they wished to be addressed, they should make them known so that they can be included in IPSA submissions and discussions.
Referring to membership, Bentley said it continued to fluctuate but with no significant increase. The challenge for the year ahead is to build on the reputation and success of IPSA as the preferred professional and representative body and encourage more companies and individuals to join its ranks.
Honorary Treasurer Paul Trendall’s written report was accepted in his absence, as were the formal Association accounts.
Changes in the accounting practices regarding the treatment of subscriptions, changes in office structure and the waiving of some office holders of outstanding awarded sums resulted in the accounts showing a significantly improved position.
The total effect showing an improved trading position would be more fully reflected in the accounts when prepared for the year 2011.
Election of IPSA Council members
The election of Council Members then followed. Five new nominations were included in a group of 14 members, all proposed, seconded and unanimously voted on to the Council for the ensuing year.
The full list of Council Members elected is as follows:
[At the subsequent meeting of the IPSA International Council, Mike White was elected chairman of the Association, Adrian Kingston-Jones elected to the role of deputy chairman and Paul Cullinan elected as IPSA’s treasurer.]
The chairman thanked those standing down for their generous service during the year.
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Sodexo and its representative Simon Pears for supporting the event at such a prestigious venue and in spectacular style.
There was also a vote of thanks for Innovise Software (represented on the day by Graeme Hughes) and MacMillan Sheikh plc (represented by Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood).
Representation from the Security Industry Authority
The formal business of the AGM was followed by an open forum during which the subject of forthcoming regulation was discussed and responses made by both Robin Dahlberg and Dave Humphries of the Security Industry Authority.
Questions focused particularly on the business licensing proposals and application of that to sole traders such as consultants and dog handlers, etc.
Robin Dahlberg stated that those concerned should make specific recommendations as to what they would regard as an acceptable cost for registration in order that the SIA can make suitable recommendations to ministers.
After a very enjoyable networking lunch, a team of invited speakers addressed the gathering. Graeme Hughes of Innovise Software gave a presentation on the company’s software solutions as used by customers in the security sector as well as many major facilities management companies.
Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood delivered an address on behalf of Lord Sheikh who has been a generous supporter of IPSA for many years. Lord Sheikh paid tribute to Patrick Rabbits and his early leadership of the Association, and stated that this management style had been resolutely followed by successive leaders over the years.
He expressed great confidence that IPSA would continue to be a leading professional body for the industry and that he would be happy to support it in all of its future endeavours.
Impassioned speech from a regulation champion
Bruce George, Privy Councillor and former Member of Parliament, spoke passionately about his long campaign while in Parliament to secure a regulated private security industry, and expressed his initial disappointment at the limitations of the scheme that was eventually introduced.
George was critical of the early failures of the regulatory body to run an effective and efficient system. More recently, however, he noted that there had been significant improvements and effective enforcement against the criminal elements and those who sought to avoid regulation.
It was therefore with great dismay and not a little anger that he had learned of the Government’s intention to abandon regulation after so much had been achieved, although it was not by any means a comprehensive regulatory solution.
George went on to criticise the large industry companies for their apparent dominance in relation to determining the policy of minimal required training for security personnel. He contrasted the basic UK requirements with those of other countries of Europe which far exceeded ours and indicated a greater commitment towards professionalism in the industry than that aspired to in this country.
The regulation champion urged IPSA to continue to pursue the goal of professional standards and recognition for security personnel at all levels based on good training and career development.
Although now retired, the former MP declared that he would still speak out and voice his concerns in the hope that the Government of the Day would understand and recognise that a regulated security industry embracing the whole range of security functions that touch the public is a necessary condition for ensuring the protection of the public and supporting the police in many areas that are increasingly being delegated to the private security industry.
Putting a case for the membership
Simon Pears took the opportunity to explain how Sodexo had come to decide that IPSA was its preferred professional body and declared that the company had observed how very effective IPSA representatives were in putting the case for their members (even when it appeared that their views were not being well received by the SIA and others).
The company values the timely flow of relevant news and information about the industry and legislative changes that it has received from IPSA.
Pears praised IPSA on its performance, the security specialist stating that he would recommend the Association to any company or individual seeking membership of such a body.
Mike White concluded the day with a brief summary and thanks to the guest speakers.
