The month began with my appearance as a witness at The Leveson Inquiry. The Inquiry was considering private investigations, and I was asked to give evidence on this sector’s regulation. Individuals from the three industry bodies appeared as witnesses as well.
I was asked about why the sector was not yet regulated and what changes to the regulatory regime were likely. Lord Justice Leveson asked me to work with the Home Secretary, Theresa May, and let him know if there is anything he needed to do to help bring this sector into regulation sooner rather than later.
He said that he did not believe self-regulation would be appropriate here.
We are now working with the Home Office to consider how this might best be taken forward. The final decision is, of course, a matter for the Government.
Learning from other Regulators
It is always helpful to discuss with other regulators how regimes work in different countries. I was pleased that, during February, I was able to meet with colleagues from Saudi Arabia and Singapore to discuss different approaches – and the large amount of common ground – in the way that we work.
I also attended and spoke at a workshop hosted by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), the Government authority that provides protective security advice to businesses and organisations across the national infrastructure.
The workshop was considering the tasks that CPNI is supporting on the motivation of staff within the security industry.
During the month I attended the ACS Strategy and Standards Group, where we discussed the current work on a new regime and how that might affect the Approved Contractor Scheme. I also met with the colleagues at the Gambling Commission, the Criminal Records Bureau and Home Office and took part in a workshop looking at how to ensure effective relationships between Government departments and arms length bodies such as the Security Industry Authority.
In addition I spoke at a debate organised by The Security Institute on security and privacy. The debate was both lively and well attended.
Meeting of the Strategic Consultation Group
The Strategic Consultation Group – which includes representatives from the industry (including The Security Alliance), professional groups, buyers and independent advisers as well as observers from the Home Office and the devolved Governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland – met the end of January.
We discussed the current position on the new regulatory regime, including an initial view of the likely areas of costs and benefits.
This was also the last meeting involving our transition director Hazel Russell before her retirement. During her five years with the Security Industry Authority, Hazel made a major contribution to our work and she will be missed. I wish her well in her retirement.
Bill Butler is chief executive of the Security Industry Authority
