“For many years, the International Professional Security Association has been a significant name in the sphere of security education,” commented Justin Bentley, the organisation’s chief executive officer. “Our agreement with Security and Facilities Education will enable us to work closely with a current leader in industry education, in turn further developing the Association’s strategy for education and training. The opportunity for IPSA members to benefit from discounts on the high quality products and services offered by SAFE adds yet another dimension to IPSA as we continue to strengthen our services to members.”
In response, Ray Clarke – managing director of SAFE and former chief executive of the Security Industry Training Organisation – said: “I’m hugely encouraged by the decision of IPSA to provide representative arrangements for security trainers. This initiative is long overdue, and I applaud IPSA for taking a lead here. We very much look forward to playing our part in making this exciting initiative a major success, and indeed to co-operating with IPSA on a range of other initiatives in security education.”
Recognition of professionalism
At its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), IPSA’s membership agreed on a new policy allowing individual members to use post-nominal letters indicating their level of membership.
Justin Bentley told info4security.com: “IPSA has always adopted a policy of being open to all people working in the security sector. That being the case, there has been no entry qualification other than the necessity for being ‘of good character’ and involved with security. Changes in recent years mean that security officers now have to possess a Level 2 qualification. Very few industries require everyone to have a qualification. IPSA recognises this, with members now able to use the designation MIPSA after their name.”
Other post-nominal letters to be used are as follows:
*AIPSA: Associate Member (for persons not directly working in the security sector but with a professional interest in it, including members of the police service, the Armed Forces and Community Wardens, etc)
*FIPSA: Fellow (usually an experienced security professional and long-term member of the Association)
*Hon FIPSA: Honorary Fellow (awarded to distinguished members of the Association in recognition of outstanding service to the industry or the Association itself)
All-new International Council
The AGM also saw the election of an all-new International Council. The members are as follows:
David Barratt (SPS Security) – Company member
Justin Bentley – IPSA CEO
Basil Bland – Individual member
Roger Felgate – Individual member
Bipin Joshi (Shield Security) – Company member
Paul Macarthur (Global World Services) – Company member
Stuart Naisbett – Individual member
Dennis Ricketts (Spectrum Positive Identity and Training) – Company member
Simon Smith – Individual member
Patrick Somerville – IPSA International Chairman and Individual member
Lynn Watts-Plumpkin – Individual member
Paul Wiggins – Individual member
Bruce Woodcock – Individual member
For his part Stuart Naisbett, who continues to represent the membership on the International Council, explained: “Exciting times are ahead for the industry, with more sectors falling under the Security Industry Authority’s gaze for licensing. Given that IPSA is one of the oldest Associations representing the security sector, we can continue to influence how that regulation might be implemented.”
Simon Smith, who is newly elected to the International Council, added: “We have done much, come a long way and achieved a good deal as an organisation. Today, we’re sending out a clear message. We’re building on our achievements, but we haven’t reached our peak. We are confident of our history, but prepared to shape our structure and change for the future.”
