Awards Ceremony honours first SIA Approved Contractors

Of the 86 businesses that had attained Approved Contractor status come Thursday 30 March (the figure now tops the 100 mark), representatives from 79 of those companies attended a very special Awards Ceremony organised for that evening by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

These organisations - including First Security (Guards), G4S Security Services (UK), Securitas, ISS, Legion Security, VSG, Wilson James and The Shield Guarding Company - are the first to have distinguished themselves as being among the best providers of private security services in England and Wales. All have now been independently assessed by the Regulator against set standards of performance and quality, thereby offering the buyers of security services confidence that they are reputable and have adopted (or will carry on providing) Best Practice in all key areas of their business.

Companies listed on the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) Register - which clients may access on the SIA's web site at www.the-sia.org.uk - are permitted to deploy on site a percentage of their security personnel who may not yet be licensed (but who have completed their training, attained the necessary qualifications and had their licence applications accepted by the Regulator for processing).

However, the same companies cannot deploy any unlicensed personnel on those assignments that involve contact with either vulnerable adults or children. That is to say where normal duties involve - or are likely to involve - security personnel being in sole charge of such persons.

Only those operatives who have fully-satisfied the SIA's requirements - including a criminal records check - will be allowed to work with members of ‘sensitive' groups.

An outstanding achievement

Security Management Today (SMT) and dedicated security guarding web site Infologue.com were granted exclusive press access to the ACS Awards Ceremony, which took place at the salubrious Le Meridien Hotel in Piccadilly, central London.

Talking to SMT, Robin Dahlberg - the Regulator's acting chairman - commented: "Every one of those companies who have attained ACS accreditation deserves the industry's congratulations. This is not only a fantastic achievement in what has been a short timescale, but it also demonstrates their total commitment and a genuine willingness to work with us in facilitating Best Business Practices fit to underpin what must be a healthy and professional security sector."

Dahlberg added: "The design, development and delivery of the ACS has been a tough project, but I believe we've arrived at this point in good shape. The companies on the Approved Register are already beginning to reap the benefits, and we're looking forward to many more joining them in due course." The acting chairman also had nothing but praise for the ‘Four Issues, One Voice' Campaign launched in April by SMT's Editor Brian Sims and Bobby Logue, the Editor of Infologue.com.

"It really is fantastic," exclaimed Dahlberg, "and couldn't have been introduced at a more opportune time. We are well aware there are areas still to be tackled, one of them being the licensing of in-house operatives. We need to present a sound business case to the Home Office if that is going to happen. No doubt this would be strengthened by a groundswell of demonstrable support and documented comment from the industry and its client base. ‘Four Issues, One Voice' can provide that. It is very obviously a professional campaign run by a professional, responsible business journal."

Unhealthy sector dynamics

In his official oration prior to the Awards Ceremony, SIA chief executive John Saunders first apologised for the fact that the ACS was some three-to-four months late in being introduced. The result of that delay was an "incredible demand" on many businesses and individuals, including Andrew Shephard and Ian Maxwell - the two champions of the SIA's ACS Implementation Team.

"We must give huge recognition and credit for an outstanding achievement by the industry," stated Saunders. "In the 25 working days since the ACS was first launched, 500 organisations have registered, 180 of them have submitted applications and 85 have thus far been approved. There are some 65,000 people now working for Approved Contractors in businesses employing anything from ten to many thousands of operatives."

However, Saunders wasted no time in imparting an important message. "The launch of the ACS, achieving approval, making rapid progress and reeling off what are undoubtedly impressive statistics is not the main aim," he stressed. "Nor is training and licensing hundreds and thousands of individuals."

Continuing the theme, Saunders remarked: "The visionary leaders of the industry have sought regulation for so long. Regulation that would enable them to fundamentally modernise what have been unhealthy dynamics in this sector. There is a strong determination to remove those whose business practices are unacceptable, improve employment practices, invest in the industry and its people, overhaul the unbalanced relationship between buyers and suppliers, deliver innovative products built on people and technology and based around quality and to gain the respect of corporate Britain, the police and society at large."

While licensing was always going to be the foundation stone around which such transformation might be realised, by far the most powerful mechanism for change is the ACS.

"Our belief in that statement has grown since the launch of the SIA," exclaimed Saunders. Consultation on the scheme suggested that the industry wanted one that actively encouraged businesses to improve their standards, and that would create - in Saunders' words - a framework for "developing, promoting and spreading" Best Practice. One that focuses on service qualities, the calibre of the people involved, management and contract standards, performance and overall value for money.

"There was also a strong desire to use political and commercial influences including insurance industry pressure as quickly as possible," added Saunders, "to ensure that buying security solutions from ACS companies is the conventional wisdom. The ACS design, development and now delivery phases have represented a very tough journey for us all, but the end result justifies the effort. Tonight's Ceremony is indeed a major milestone for the private security industry."

Businesses both large and small have displayed considerable commitment and professionalism in managing all of the complexities involved. They have shown a genuine commitment to staff and customers alike, and we at the Security Industry Authority pay tribute to them

Dispelling industry myths

Saunders then grabbed what was an ideal opportunity to "bust a few myths" concerning the licensing process in general. As of 30 March, 205,000 individuals hold recognised qualifications. There are over 1,000 qualified, independent training providers, while 15 new qualifications have been introduced that are currently available through six awarding bodies. 145,000 licence applications have been received by the Regulator, and 88,000 licences granted. Only 3,400 applications have been rejected. "That's just over 2%," added Saunders.

The SIA's licensing system - operated by partner BT Syntegra and offering a direct link to the Criminal Records Bureau - was built to process 10,000 licences per month (with an ‘uplift' capacity to 12,000-15,000 for short bursts of activity). "The system has been running at 20,000 applications plus for over three months," suggested the chief executive. "Why is that? The last-minute surge prior to the 20 March deadline, which created something of a traffic jam for us all."

In truth, during the eight-week period prior to that deadline, 45,000 applications arrived in the SIA's post box, representing nearly 40% of the estimated security guarding population (with 61,000 applications sent between January and March alone). Consequently, the average processing time for licences has increased from around six to ten weeks. Two temporary Processing Centres had to be opened, and the number of staff working on them doubled to over 160. At peak operating times, the SIA's Call Centre was set up to deal with a maximum of 30,000 calls per month. In March, its operators received over 100,000 enquiries.

"Although 5,000 applications are still arriving every week, the tsunami will subside," added Saunders by way of reassurance. "The backlog should be cleared within the next eight-to-ten weeks, in either late May or early June."

Saunders also pointed out the massive scale of change now upon the industry. He explained: "We all recognise the sheer scale of investment and the enormous challenges faced by the industry. Businesses both large and small have displayed considerable commitment and professionalism in managing all of the complexities involved. They have shown a genuine commitment to staff and customers alike, and we at the SIA pay tribute to them."

Dialogue with the buyers

The tough-talking Welshman is adamant that all dialogue between the Regulator and the buying community has been positive. He cited recent discussions with the Confederation of British Industry, various Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, "public sector Britain" and the Institute of Directors in support of his words.

"So much has been achieved," stated Saunders, before adding an important rider. "However, we must all recognise that the future is going to be even more demanding."

The next statement really struck home. "There has never been a greater need for a strong, pragmatic, visionary and respected Trade Association for your industry," exclaimed Saunders. Those words will not have been lost on British Security Industry Association (BSIA) chief executive David Dickinson, who was in the assembled audience alongside the managing directors of many BSIA Member Companies from the guarding world. Of late, ‘snipers' have questioned the need for the BSIA in a post-regulatory world, but SMT is in full agreement with John Saunders - its role is now a crucial one, more so than at any stage in the past.

The BSIA enjoys an even wider remit, and must continue to bat on the industry's behalf as an independent body that can challenge the Regulator and the Home Office on any issue of importance to the industry's well-being.

The SIA's ‘Roll of Honour'

In Saunders' eyes, thanks are due to many for "sticking to the job, retaining their focus and holding their nerve". He said: "That has been - and will continue to be - crucial. After all, we have a responsibility and accountability to many businesses and individuals whose lives are affected by what we do."

Saunders' ‘Roll of Honour' was extensive. "Let me express sincere appreciation, first and foremost, to the industry. To David Dickinson and all of the teams at the BSIA and Skills for Security for being tough and challenging partners. To Peter Davies and the team at ACPO for strong and unflinching support. To Andy Drane for leading this project of ours from conception to birth, and of course to Robin Dahlberg and the SIA Board Members for their wisdom and faith."

Security Management Today is immensely proud of the fact that the industry's premier journal for security managers received plaudits on the night from the SIA for what Saunders concisely described as "robust and penetrative briefings, reporting and insight."

Saunders also lavished praise upon the SIA's ACS Team for "delivering the impossible". Theirs is certainly a massive achievement. In closing his presentation, Saunders made a most prescient observation. "The change this industry has faced in three short years, and the investment and achievements realised to date, are little short of awesome. The private security industry has every right to feel proud of itself. However, so much remains to be accomplished. Maybe we should just go and do it."