Although this year’s Security Excellence Awards celebrated the best in sport as well as the best in security, you didn’t have to be a sports nut to enjoy it … even non-sporty types agreed that the event it was a spectacular night out.
A record attendance of nearly 700 guests helped celebrate England’s year of sporting successes … and the excellence of the finalists in the security industry “Oscars”.
Now in their sixth year, the awards encourage professionalism and excellence in every sector of the industry … from installation to guarding.
This year, for the first time, the awards were celebrated during Securex week and were staged at London’s glittering Hilton Hotel in Park Lane.
Also new this year was a new awards category, The Best International Achievement Award and the presentation of awards to the winners of the Apprentice Skills Challenge staged at IFSEC 2004.
Sponsored by Security Installer and its sister publications SMT and CCTV Today, and co-hosted by the magazines’ three editors, the awards evening itself was a fun night out with the serious purpose of honouring those companies and individuals who have demonstrated excellence during the year. Guests not only enjoyed the awards ceremony itself but danced to a great band into the early hours or played in the charity casino. They were also able to play on some of our sporting themed competitions, such as a giant Scalextric and rally car machines.
Host for the night was top sports commentator John Inverdale, and also there on behalf of our chosen charity, SPARKS (Sport Aiding Medical Research for Kids), was rugby legend Roger Uttley, former captain of the England team. An auction of a football signed by England legend, Geoff Hurst and donated by the Editor of SMT, Brian Sims, raised GB pound 1,350 towards the charity.
A keynote address was given by the Chairman of the Security Industry Authority, Peter Hermitage and award winners received their trophies in the presence of industry VIPs representing all the major security organisations, operators and manufacturers.
Glancing around the room at the faces there left observers in no doubt that anyone who is anyone in security now attends this essential black tie event which goes on getting bigger and better as each year passes.
