The BSIA... and its relevance in a post-ACS world

At the end of your wide-ranging interview with Jonathan, he raises a very important point concerning guarding contractors’ membership of the all-new Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), and how that might relate to continued BSIA membership in the future.

Quite correctly, Jonathan points out that his company – First Security (Guards) – and 570 others like it currently pay subscription fees to us, the industry’s Trade Association. I have to believe that they do so on the basis of the value for money they receive in return.

Different sections within the Association have widely differing requirements from their membership. For guarding in particular, the past three years or more have necessarily been focused on ensuring a pragmatic and practical approach to regulation from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Even our sternest critics would surely agree that much has been achieved in putting forward the security guarding sector’s viewpoints. The end result of those talks – not least in the SIA’s approach to the ACS – is there for all to see.

The ACS isn’t perfect as yet, and indeed hasn’t been finalised, but I believe the valuable input from professional guarding companies to the consultation phases has ultimately proven crucial. The BSIA, then, can certainly point to some significant successes in the whole ‘how to regulate’ debate.

For the future, becoming an Approved Contractor – and maintaining that status – is a vital commercial decision. It is also one that is in no way related to continuing BSIA membership. If our members only joined on the pretext of being able to ‘tick the box’ for tender submissions, we would be a poor organisation.

Put simply, the involvement and dedication of BSIA member companies in all sections of the industry shows the private security sector at its very best. The way in which members leave their ‘company hats’ at the door of regional meetings is of major significance, and makes a considerable contribution to the influence which we, at the BSIA, bring to bear on many, many topical debates – not just those concerned with licensing.

Indeed, it could be argued strongly that it is the altruistic involvement of members which affords us our legitimacy and strength. Even though others – for their own reasons – may seek to denigrate that involvement as being ‘unhealthy’!

The above represents the drawn-out answer to Jonathan’s question. The short answer is this... As long as the BSIA is seen to offer value for money to its members, it will prosper... and deserve to do so.

On the other hand, if the Association ceases to offer the necessary value to its members, it will cease to exist. By the same equation, deservedly so!

David Dickinson, Chief Executive, British Security Industry Association