On Thursday 15 September, for the second time the world’s biggest security company held its annual Community Awards at the Walton Hall Hotel in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire.
In essence, the ceremony – which is attended by Securitas officers, branch and line managers as well as some of the company’s foremost customers – is specifically designed to recognise staff members who have made outstanding contributions: be they acts of bravery on duty, the introduction of new ideas to the benefit of partner organisations or acts that have strengthened Securitas’ core values of vigilance, integrity and helpfulness.
Put simply, it’s a great platform to honour the fantastic work being carried out on a daily basis by the team members at Securitas.
Good Customer Award 2011
As was the case in 2010, a focal point of the evening was the Good Customer Award. This accolade runs in association with SMT Online, reflecting the defined need to recognise and reward those customers whose actions demonstrate their overriding commitment to the continuing improvement of quality in security provision.
It’s an award designed to highlight and underscore Best Practice among the client base. Each year, the winner will be the company (or public sector body) deemed by the judges to have done the most in terms of improving the procurement – and effective development – of security services, while at the same time progressing standards and positive perceptions of the security world as a whole.
The ethos behind this award is perhaps best summed up by 2010 award winner Marks & Spencer’s head of profit protection Clint Reid, who stated: “Marks & Spencer believes the Securitas Community Awards are a great way of recognising achievements within the security sector. We submitted an entry for the 2010 Good Customer Award to highlight how important it is to work in partnership while striving to achieve common goals that will continue to raise the standards of security and, from our own point of view, ensure a strategic approach in maintaining an enhanced, safe and secure shopping environment.”
The Judging Panel for the 2011 Good Customer Award featured Brian Sims (Editor of Security Management Today Online and Group Content Editor for UBM Live’s Security Portfolio), Sue Seaby (director of security, EMEA at the Aon Corporation) and David Greer, the chief executive of Skills for Security.
17 submissions whittled down to eight finalists
There were 17 submissions in total (all of them top quality), eventually whittled down to eight finalists.
Those finalists were BSkyB, Deutsche Bank, Lambert Smith Hampton, the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Sainsbury’s, Stena Line, Toyota and WYPTE.
The result was a close-run thing… So much so, in fact, that there was a tie at the top and the Judging Panel was forced to invoke a casting vote rule to elect an outright winner.
Highly commended this year was the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. This really was a superb submission, and it was Glynis Jones who came to the stage to receive a special certificate in honour of that fact. Well done to all the team members!
It’s fair to say that the overall winner in 2011 places security personnel at the very heart of its business. Indeed, security is recognised as an integral element of the company that protects people, profitability and, indeed, the brand.
The winning entry focused on a total security solution. This is a customer that so obviously respects and values security. The old perceptions about contracted security are changed much for the better, while a defined partner programme with Securitas has assisted in cutting shrinkage by 50%.
The partner tackles crime, the customer focuses on process. It’s the perfect marriage. On top of that, pioneering procurement techniques are in place, and there’s demonstrable innovation.
For these and myriad other reasons, the winner of the 2011 Securitas/SMT Online Good Customer Award is… Sainsbury’s.
Paul Smith and Marc Pilcher from Sainsbury’s were on hand to collect the trophy from Brian Sims and Geoff Zeidler, managing director for Securitas in the UK and Ireland.
The Securitas Community Awards 2011
In his introduction to the evening – which began with a Champagne Reception in the Lounge Bar at Walton Hall – Geoff Zeidler said: “Tonight we celebrate the few, but we recognise the many. To all of our winners this evening may I offer many, many congratulations. You have been successful on behalf of yourselves and your colleagues.”
Zeidler also mentioned how the 2011 Securitas Community Awards was an excellent way of reinforcing the bond created with members of staff from both Reliance and Chubb, the two major names that have joined forces with Securitas in recent times.
“This event is all about our people,” stressed Zeidler. “These awards were designed by the branch managers, with the idea first realised at one of our Leadership and Management Conferences. Last year the awards were so efficiently run by Malcolm O’Keefe, with Sarah Moran taking on the task in 2011. There has been a great collective response from all concerned. We always aim to promote the value that the security sector can deliver to its many customers. We’re focused on building a better life for the communities we serve.”
A delicious meal of tomato and basil soup, rump of lamb with fondant potatoes and New York-style cheesecake was followed by the awards ceremony itself. There were ten categories in total (including the aforementioned Good Customer Award).
Securitas Community Award
The Securitas Community Award itself was sponsored by Oxford-based Spratt Endicott Solicitors and presented by its representative John Spratt.
Finalists were the Securitas Security Team at Procter & Gamble, Owen Stanley (a member of the Securitas personnel who’s employed on site by Centrica, and also happens to be a fantastic Shakin’ Stevens impersonator!) and the Securitas Security Team deployed at Pontefract Bus Station.
The well deserved winner was Owen Stanley who, towards the end of the evening, duly strutted his musical stuff on the dance floor and sang – among other tunes – This Ole House! Brilliant stuff, Owen, and well done from all of us here at SMT Online/Info4Security.com
Core Values Award
This new award for 2011 – sponsored by Securitas and presented by Geoff Zeidler – has been introduced to recognise officers who display the company’s core values consistently and on a daily basis.
It’s also about security officers who show both loyalty and commitment to the company.
As the official programme for the event reads: “In the absence of having to deal with extreme situations, these are the officers who never fail to continually deliver a solid and professional service to our customers.”
In what was a very poignant and heartfelt moment, the inaugural award was presented to the tearful parents of Dave Waller (1967-2011), a Securitas officer who sadly passed away earlier this year but who was everything you could wish for in a security officer: reliable, dependable, trustworthy and a very much-missed member of the team.
Integrity Award
“A Securitas employee is honest and therefore trusted to work unsupervised on the customer’s premises. Securitas never compromises in its demand for integrity. Integrity also includes openly expressing one’s opinion, reporting improprieties and not withholding information…”
The finalists in the 2011 Integrity Award – sponsored by Peter Drew Contracts and presented by Richard and Tom Drew – were David McLynmont (a Securitas officer at CBRE) and James Wallace (who works for Securitas at Marks & Spencer).
James Wallace was the winner this time around and, for good measure, received a sterling commendation from the crime and intelligence team at the High Street retailer. Well done James!
Vigilance Award
Sponsored by The National Sporting Club and presented by its representative Bruce Trewin, the finalists in the 2011 Vigilance Award were Martin Neen (Copeland BC, Whitehaven), Debra Smith (Bluewater Shopping Centre), Mark Archer (Linamar Automotive Systems) and Stephen Thisby (again for his work at Linamar Automotive Systems).
In the citation for winner Debra Smith, Bruce Trewin explained that, due to her excellent work with the CCTV and ANPR systems on site in Kent, a gang of criminals was convicted of theft and no less than GB pound 3,500 worth of stolen goods were recovered.
Tremendous work, and a well-deserved recognition for Debra.
Helpfulness Award
The Helpfulness Award was sponsored by Templar Print and Design, and presented on this occasion by Steve Green.
The ethos underpinning this accolade is as follows: “A Securitas employee will lend assistance, even if it’s not directly related to his or her job. As part of an ongoing effort to make life safer, a Securitas employee will always help if an incident occurs that requires intervention.”
In 2011, the finalists in this category were Andrew Heath (for his work at Rotherham Centenary Market), Neil Parkinson (Student Loans Company), Rod Norfolk (Knight Frank, Albion House) and Eddie Whitburn (M&I Materials, Trafford Park, Manchester).
“Eight years of dedicated service… His generosity of spirit very often goes way beyond the Call of Duty… Some of the work he did during the Sheffield Floods was exemplary…”
That citation is the reason why this year’s winner is Rod Norfolk.
Team Award
This award is presented to the Securitas Security Team that demonstrates collective excellence in delivering the security strategy for both Securitas and its customers.
Sponsored by Vodafone and presented by Peter Garner, this year’s award was contested by five finalists…
The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Security Team, the GM Motors Security Team, the Security Team at Molson Coors, the Northampton CCTV Security Team and the Security Team stationed at JLL Deansgate.
The Security Team at JLL Deansgate deservedly won the day. All of the team members have been hospitalised at some point this year due to the fact they’ve bravely put themselves in harm’s way. They’ve received nothing but massively positive feedback and thanks from the client for their great work. Well done, Gentlemen!
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award was sponsored by Innovise and presented by its representative Graeme Hughes.
The Securitas Community Awards programme read: “Innovation is understood as the successful introduction of something new and useful. Introducing new methods, techniques or practices as well as new or altered products and services.”
Finalists this year were Graham Parker (Ebbsfleet Valley) and Martin McKeen (Aegon).
Martin McKeen was the winner having conducted reviews which have saved the client “thousands of pounds”, so many congratulations to him from all of us here at UBM Live.
Leadership Award
This award is presented to an individual who exhibits leadership skills by demonstrating their ability to communicate with people, make decisions, lead by example, offer personal commitment and show genuine innovation.
In 2011, the award was sponsored by BSkyB and presented by the company’s representative Neil Gammon.
Finalists were Aled Daniels (for his work at the Welsh Assembly), Richard Hampton (Procter & Gamble) and Stephen Blake (Aegon).
Aled Daniels is this year’s winner for “leading and motivating the team above and beyond the Call of Duty”. Congratulations, Aled!
Outstanding Act Award
The final award of the evening was the Outstanding Act Award, sponsored by Marks & Spencer and presented (and judged) by Clint Reid.
This award is designed to recognise “the outstanding commitment and dedication of frontline security personnel.”
The 2011 finalists were as follows:
Nicholas was nominated for his quick thinking and calm response when faced with a young man who had decided he wanted to end his life.
The Bentall Shopping Centre Team members were nominated for their “outstanding response” to a tragic incident that took place on site earlier this year.
Kamrul was nominated in 2011 for the superb professionalism he showed in dealing with an extremely challenging situation involving a young man who was determined to jump from the top level of the hospital car park.
Although all of these finalists are winners in their own right, there had to be an overall winner… and that was Kamrul Hussain.
Kamrul has been working at the hospital for over two years now and, in August 2010, was faced with a lad in his 20s who wanted to commit suicide. Kamrul talked to the young man for nearly two hours, eventually persuading him that he had a lot to live for.
“I feel really good that I helped save his life,” said Kamrul on a video clip shown at the ceremony.
Described as “an exceptional security officer”, it was a very proud Kamrul who accepted the award from Clint Reid.
Of great benefit to two superb charities
The night also included a charity raffle in aid of Help For Heroes and Child Victims of Crime (the latter of which is also the nominated charity for this year’s Security Excellence Awards, which take place at the Hilton Hotel on London’s Park Lane on 19 October).
Prizes included an official England cricket shirt signed by the Test team from this year’s game against India at The Oval, a box for 18 people at an 02 event (donated by The National Sporting Club), a hospitality package for two to watch Manchester United at Old Trafford, two tickets to see Peter Kay at the NEM Arena (again in Manchester), a signed shirt from Chelsea FC and a signed football.
It truly was a great evening, and Security Management Today Online is already looking forward to supporting the 2012 Securitas Community Awards.
