Founded in 1958 as the Industrial Police Association and then updated to become the Industrial Police and Security Association in 1962, what we know to be the International Professional Security Association (IPSA) today formed in 1977. For the past five decades, the organisation has provided a range of profession-enhancing services for individuals and companies operational across the security sector. Over the years, its considerable influence has spread beyond the UK, attracting members from a number of other countries worldwide.
In welcoming all members and guests to the special occasion, Justin Bentley – IPSA’s chief executive Justin Bentley praised in particular Gbemi Mumuni-Numa and Sylvester Adu (accompanied by his wife Josephine) who had travelled all the way from Nigeria just for today’s reception.
Also in attendance were Lord and Lady Imbert, who of course have strong ties with the Association of Security Consultants, and Patrick Rabbitts, former IPSA secretary.
IPSA and Camberford Law turn 50
In offering a toast to the organisation, Lord Sheikh of Cornhill – the chairman of Camberford Law plc, a long-time friend and supporter of IPSA and host of the event – mentioned that his company was also founded in 1958.
“About 30 years ago I had the idea of setting up an insurance scheme for the security industry, but we wanted to ensure that our clients followed certain standards and these included that they have appropriate vetting procedures and adequate training of staff,” opined Lord Sheikh. “I also felt that we needed to become an integral part of the security industry, and work closely with the professional organisations and the press. I therefore made contact with Pat Rabbits, and the first time I met him was at a security exhibition held at Sandown Park Racecourse.”
Lord Sheikh continued: “Our relationship with IPSA grew from there, and we formed a strong bond. I used to go to dinners organised by IPSA, while Pat was often our guest at various functions. In addition to my working relationship with Pat, there was an excellent rapport between our respective staffs. I was very impressed by the standards set by the Association for its members, and also by the training facilities and schemes provided.”
Lord Sheikh went on to say: “The Association’s purpose has been to improve the status of its individual members, by providing opportunities for training and the exchange of knowledge, ideas and experience. It also seeks to foster high professional standards by all IPSA members through its company membership scheme, inspections and conformity with relevant standards documents – in particular British Standards – and its Ethnical Code of Conduct. The Association has no Trade Union or political connections or aspirations.”
Going from strength to strength
The Camberford supremo has always been very impressed by the dedication and commitment of IPSA officials and members of the committee, and values his own organisation’s connection with IPSA.
“I realise that IPSA encountered difficulties after Pat left the Association, but they now have offices in London and a strong committee,” added Lord Sheikh. “IPSA has a glorious past. It has gone through a lean period, but under the new committee and with concerted efforts by everyone it can move forward from strength to strength. The committee is ably led by Patrick Somerville assisted by Justin Bentley and few other stalwarts. I am sure it will create new landmarks and celebrate further anniversaries and, hopefully, 50 years from today it will score a century.”
Following this speech, Lady Sheikh presented a carriage clock to Pat Rabbitts for his dedicated services to the Association.
Response to praise for IPSA
Responding to Lord Sheikh’s Toast of the Association, Patrick Somerville QPM – IPSA’s international chairman – said: “This is a truly wonderful and momentous occasion. The House of Lords is a splendid and historical place in which to celebrate 50 years of IPSA.”
Somerville continued: “In replying to the toast to the Association, I would like to thank Lord Sheikh for his interesting and wide-ranging survey of the history of the Association, his involvement with it and highlighting the role of our distinguished past secretary, Patrick Rabbits – the ‘Mr IPSA’ of his day!”
“We are particularly grateful to you, My Lord, for hosting this event, and making it possible for us, although a relatively small organisation, to come together in such a prestigious location and in the distinguished company of leading actors in and around the private security industry with which we are associated on a daily basis.”
Somerville praised Lord Sheikh for his support of IPSA over manay years. “I could not fail to mention also the considerable support you have given to us over the years – sound commercial interests guiding your decisions, no doubt – but at the same time affording us the opportunity with the help of some other contributors to exhibit annually at IFSEC and elsewhere. We are most grateful and seldom have the opportunity to acknowledge it publicly and say how much we are encouraged by it.”
The international chairman then spoke of Lord Imbert. “We are privileged indeed to have Lord and Lady Imbert with us today. Lord Imbert has a truly distinguished record of service as Metropolitan Police Commissioner here in London, and has just completed his ‘tour of duty’ as HM Lord Lieutenant for Greater London. He wrote to me that he didn’t realise IPSA had been founded in 1958 when he was a temporary detective in the Metropolitan Police Sefvice Special Branch – and then added: ‘That would be before you were born’!”
Somerville continued: “Well not quite so – I was in my second year as a probationary constable serving at Bow and Bethnal Green sub-division at that time. Our careers progress along not entirely dissimilar lines. He ended up patrolling out there in the river in what was then known as the Commissioner’s Launch while I patrolled my Pacific territory in Orion Aircraft courtesy of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Lady Imbert, I imagine, and certainly Mrs Somerville will be hoping that some day their husbands will actually retire. Faint hope I’m afraid – we simply cannot live by retirement alone!”
Rallying cry for the industry
“In his remarks, Lord Sheikh charted the route IPSA has taken over the decades that brought us to the half century,” continued Somerville. “I liken IPSA to the QE II – she too has come to a milestone in her life, like her IPSA has been through some wonderful times and, more recently, very turbulent seas. Now we are both in shallow waters. Shallow in terms of numbers and financial resources – facing the next challenge, the next decade of service in a very changed security industry and at a time of serious economic uncertainty.”
That being the case, what is IPSA going to do? “We need to deepen the waters to enable us to move forward, convincing a much larger proportion of people and companies in the industry of the value of belonging to a trade or professional body. Consider that 286,796 individuals hold SIA licenses, while an estimated 1,500 companies offer security guarding services. To those individuals and companies my message is simple: professionalism in security disciplines must mean more than just holding a licence to practice!”
Need for an effective voice
In discussing the SIA’s regulatory regime, Somerville added: “A regulated industry needs to have an effective voice to represent its concerns, and to facilitate the dialogue between industry and Government. IPSA can and does give service in that regard, and there are indications that the IPSA brand is again gaining respect for what it does on behalf of members.”
Somerville hopes and trusts that that the industry and IPSA itself will ride out the threatened recession and experience a refreshing change towards prosperity and professionalism.
