Amid all the pomp and circumstance of a recent ceremony held at the Capital’s famous Mansion House, the Lord Mayor of London (the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis) – accompanied by High Officers and Aldermen of the City of London – presented Letters of Patent and The Company of Security Professionals into Livery. The ceremony marked the official inauguration of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, and was followed by a celebratory luncheon at The Guildhall.
Over 350 guests attended the event as The Company’s new crest was unveiled for the first time, taking its rightful place on the walls of The Guildhall alongside the shields of the other 107 Livery Companies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lord Mayor David Lewis commented: “Security is at the very heart of the modern, 21st Century financial services district that is The Square Mile. It’s important to see the security professional now recognised alongside all of the ancient and well-respected trades upon which the City was founded.”
Who is represented?
The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals was admitted to Livery in February of this year, boasting 290 Freemen from the wider world of security among its ranks – including members of the military and police service, representatives from the corporate security sector and academia, security consultants and fraud investigators. The Worshipful Company also represents security personnel (guarding and Cash-in-Transit response services) along with members of the electro-technical sector who provide CCTV and/or intruder alarm and access control solutions.
The Lord Lieutenant of Greater London – the former Lord Mayor, Alderman Sir David Brewer CMG, who sponsors The Company and is one of its distinguished Honorary Liverymen – told info4security: “I’m very proud to be a member of the Merchant Taylors’, one of the the oldest Livery Companies, and now the youngest representing security professionals here in the UK. Security affects us all in our corporate and personal lives. It’s something hugely relevant to the City today, just like the Livery Companies of old used to be. The Company is quoted all the time as a classic example of how to form and nurture a Livery Company. All of the Lord Mayors have served as Sheriffs, the original ‘keepers’ of London’s security, so maintaining the Capital’s reputation for security and safety is a task the whole City supports.”
Current Master of The Company of Security Professionals, Peter French, added: “The City is recognising the huge contribution that professional security makes both to the safety of the country and the overall commercial success of the UK.”
The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals: a brief history
The City of London has always relied heavily upon good security to protect its people, property and world renowned reputation. However, until 1999 the security profession had no Livery links.
25 August 1999 saw The Guild of Security Professionals registered with The City of London Chamberlain’s Office. On 18 November that year, 12 colleagues from across the security spectrum met at The Guildhall to map out the route for attaining Guild status.
The inaugural meeting of 62 founders on 27 March 2000 saw the election of Sir Neil Macfarlane as the Founder Master. Deputy Philip Willoughby attended that meeting to offer advice and support (he’s now an Honorary Liveryman of The Worshipful Company).
In September 2000, the inaugural Guild of Security Professionals Dinner was held at The Drapers Hall and attended by 224 members and guests. Come the end of that year, Guild membership had increased to 90 and the body’s bank balance was growing healthier by the day.
The Windsor Herald designed a Coat of Arms, while The Queen’s Chaplain at the Tower of London – The Reverend Paul Abram – was appointed as Honorary Chaplain to The Guild.
Membership and finance targets met
By mid-2003, both membership and financial targets had been met and, on 6 January 2004, the Guild became a recognised Company of The City of London without grant of Livery.
The Company has since forged binding links with the Armed Forces (namely the Royal Air Force Regiment, HMS Severn and the Regiment of the Royal Military Police). The Company supports many charities and educational institutions, and has established a number of unique projects including The Whittington Course, The Sheriffs’ Award and Hear4U (in conjunction with Security Management Today and FirstAssist), not to mention the Life Home Project in Phukhet, Thailand.
On 15 January 2008, the Court of Alderman was petitioned and, on 19 February, the Court declared The Company of Security Professionals to be The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (Livery Company Number 108)