The UK Crowd Management Association (UKCMA) has expanded its membership and remit thanks to two new members: Capita Symonds and the University of Derby Corporate.
The addition of Capita Symonds, one of the leading exponents within its sector, reflects the UKCMA’s desire to extend its associations to include relevant professionals in the field of public safety at events.
There’s a clear synergy between crowd management and public safety and it’s very much hoped that, by sharing experience and knowledge, working practices can be improved in this area.
The UKCMA also welcomes the addition of another respected educational establishment, the University of Derby Corporate, which hosts the Centre for Event Professionals Development.
The University of Derby Corporate is respected for engaging with ambitious commercial performers and provides cutting-edge educational development to enhance their business’ successes. They will offer alternative services to members and external parties when it comes to educational platforms.
In truth, the UKCMA already enjoys strong ties with member Bucks New University, which has conducted pioneering research in the area of events crowd management.
Mark Harding re-elected as chairman
At the recent UKCMA Board meeting Mark Harding – leader of Showsec – was re-elected chairman of the Association, Chris Woodford is the secretary and Darren Edwards fulfils the role of treasurer.
The meeting, hosted at MAN Commercial Protection’s Birmingham offices, was well attended. In addition to the Board election, members also reviewed and approved the final content of the organisation’s new website.
Chris Woodford commented: “The new website offers improved communications between members and represents the Association’s interests and activities very well in today’s modern security industry. The UKCMA has been instrumental in engaging members in the commercial and legislative changes which affect their businesses.”
The meeting also agreed to extend associate membership to include organisations or companies primarily engaged with public safety but with crowd management as a core function.
Mark Harding said: “There have been some very positive discussions at the members’ meeting, with clear combined feelings to continually improve working practices and in particular to continue to work collectively with the Security Industry Authority on ensuring that standards within our sector are maintained and improved. It’s important to create an environment where new companies are encouraged to enter the industry, and where ‘the phased transition to a new regulatory regime’ opens up commercial and operating opportunities for all individuals and companies.”
Of the new UKCMA members, Harding told Info4Security: “They strengthen our commitment to drive up standards in crowd management, improve public safety through widening knowledge bases and develop the availability of relevant education to members.”
HSE launches new event safety microsite
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced the launch of its new online event safety microsite.
The site provides an industry platform for HSE developments, and is designed to offer Health and Safety guidance aimed at helping organisers run events safely.
Industry topics including venue and site design, crowd management and temporary demountable structures are covered within the site’s Health and Safety Management section, while the portal also allows discussion about other event-related matters (including event licensing and environmental protection).
The new event safety microsite can be found here
