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About Us

Here you can learn what we at The Security Institute are all about: our Royal Patronage, our Patrons, our Board of Directors and our Head Office team.

The Security Institute's Royal Patron - Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is the Royal Patron and supporter of The Security Institute.

Her Royal Highness is cognisant of the security challenges faced both personally, nationally and internationally and The Princess Royal’s support of The Security Institute is testament to Her Royal Highness’ ongoing commitment to the wider security profession.

In addition, The Princess Royal is a well-known supporter of the younger generations, and despite Her Royal Highness’ busy schedule, The Princess Royal has on numerous occasions met with and given time to Institute initiatives aimed at securing the next generation of talented security professionals.

The Security Institute is grateful for Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal’s continued support and Royal patronage.

Our Patrons & VIPs

Welcome to our Patrons and VIPs area, where we commemorate the outstanding individuals who contribute so hugely to The Security Institute and every one of our endeavours. Their knowledge, resources, expertise and influence allow us to keep doing what we do best: enriching the lives and careers of our members, supporting the ongoing professionalisation of the industry, and driving forward the security profession in the public consciousness and political sphere.

Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC CSyI
Baroness P Neville Jones DCMG
Lord T Harris of Haringey
Admiral Lord West of Spithead GCB BSC

Our Vision

To be the professional body that represents the security industry, and one that best meets our member’s needs and interests as the entry point and key resource of the sector. Our core vision is:

‘To be recognised as the leading professional body for security’

Our Mission

Our goal is to support the security sector through the continual professionalisation of its members: whether they are new to the sector or highly experienced, The Security Institute will be there to support this journey through access to high quality learning and development, networking and thought leadership. Our core mission is:

‘To inspire, inform and influence professional excellence for the benefit of our members, the security community and wider society’.

Our Values

Organisation values, or core values, are the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide an organization. These values shape how our organisation operates and our culture and promotes cohesion and cooperation among the team and key stakeholders. They also help explain why our business does what it does and differentiate our brand and market position from our competitors.

Integrity

Integrity is the quality of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.

Collaboration
We recognise the power and importance of collaboration and partnership. To collaborate is to commit to the possibility of producing an outcome greater than one that would be developed in a silo or by us.

Agility

We believe that being agile is essential for us to respond to the needs of our members and key stakeholders and respond appropriately to change. It is a way of dealing with, and ultimately succeeding in, an uncertain and turbulent environment.

Trust

Trust is one of our values because it is essential that the general public and all stakeholders trust security professionals. Trust is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.

Inclusivity

We embrace and celebrate inclusion and diversity of all kinds and the rich knowledge this empowers us with. We break down barriers, promote fairness and champion the need and the benefits for inclusion in all our activities

Our Board of Directors

The leaders of The Security Institute and those oustanding individuals whose mission it is to drive our organisation forward, our Board of Directors play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Institute – and the wider security profession itself.

Julie Nel

Julie MA MSyI has an extensive security background spanning 35 years, covering everything from military to law enforcement and commercial sectors. Among her many specialties are threat intelligence and strategic risk analysis. Outside of the Institute, she is founder and CEO of B4 Secure Ltd, boasts an MA in Intelligence and Security Studies and regularly presents and writes articles on threat intelligence and organisational resilience. As Chair of The Security Institute, Julie is one of the leading women within the UK’s security profession and a champion of inclusivity as well as a huge driving force behind the Institute’s continual progress.

Julie Nel MA MSyI

Chair of the Board of Directors

Sarah Austerberry

Sarah Austerberry MLitt CSyP FSyI has spent her entire career in security and intelligence, with a keen focus on people risk in organisations and how they can put in place better mechanisms for supporting people before they cause undue harm. Much of the time, Sarah’s focus has, ironically, been very little to do with security and much more about communication, vision, leadership and good management: indispensable skills that she brings to the table as Director and Vice-Chair of The Security Institute. In her role as Vice-Chair, she focuses on governance and strategy; supporting Head Office to deliver the board’s vision

Sarah Austerberry MLitt CSyP FSyI

Vice Chair of the Board of Directors

Abiola Aderibigbe

Abiola is a versatile dual qualified Solicitor (admitted in both the UK and EU/Ireland) with broad corporate, commercial, governance, legal and compliance experience. Having been a legal professional for about 11 years, he has had the privilege of working with global and international organisations, law firms, INGOs and academic institutions operating in different regions of the world. He is a dedicated, proactive and effective professional who possesses a collaborative attitude and holds a reputation for always being positive and high-spirited. Abiola can also confidently boast of possessing one of the biggest smiles and heartiest laughs amongst his peers and colleagues!

Abiola Aderibigbe LLB LLM

Hon General Counsel

Chris Stevens

Chris is a seasoned Specialist Security and Risk Director at an award-winning Independent Security Consultancy. After 30 years of public service, he transitioned to private consultancy, training as a Crime Reduction and Architectural Liaison Officer at the Home Office Centre before becoming the Principal Counter Terrorism Security Advisor within the British Transport Police. Chris was the sole security advisor on the Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) for over a decade and is recognised as a leader in his field. His unparalleled technical knowledge and years of experience has led to his recent election to the Board of Directors at The Security Institute

Chris Stevens CSyP MSc F.ISRM FSyI

Hayley Elvins

As a seasoned professional with decades of service, Hayley began her career in the Royal Military Police Close Protection unit before spending ten years within a government operational department. Then, in 2018, she founded protective security consultancy Sloane Risk Group. She specializes in creating global physical penetration testing programs and insider risk strategies for corporate clients, and has excelled in establishing long-lasting relationships with key players across the globe. Her role within the Institute continues to evolve, both as a thought leader and an active contributor to the advancement of security practices. Her dedication to innovation and excellence remains unwavering.

Hayley Elvins CSyP FSyI

Mike O’Neil

Mike began his career in the Parachute Regiment where he saw active service in the Falklands and Northern Ireland before leaving as a young Major. He has extensive experience within the security sector, having delivered Risk and Security Management services to clients since the early 90s and becoming the Managing Director of Optimal Risk Group. He joined the Security Institute in 2002, and first became a director in 2009 before stepping down due to commitments abroad. His focus firmly back in the UK, Mike has again rejoined as director to bring his exceptional knowledge, expertise and professionalism to the table.

Mike O’Neil CSyP FSyI CPP PSP

Mahbubul Islam

Mahbubul Islam is a Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) and Chartered Cyber Security Professional (ChCSP) who has worked within UK Government for over 20 years, and in recent years as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). He has previously been an NED at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Mahbubul is particularly focused on the development and advancement of the Cyber Security Profession, having worked closely on the programme that introduced the UK Cyber Security Council.  In addition to his ongoing work and accomplishments in Cyber Security, Mahbubul is also a member of the audit and risk committee at The Security Institute. 

Mahbubul Islam CSyP ChCSP MSyI

Paul Wood

Paul’s remarkable career spans every aspect of security, from built environment and personnel all the way to cyber security and the protection of trade secrets and intellectual property. Chair of a UK Biosecurity Threat Panel, Paul also contributes to several BSI and ASIS committees as well as the UK Cyber Security Council. He is a Chartered Security Professional as well as Chartered Member of the Institute of Information Security, a Fellow of the Institute, and a Principal Member of the Register of Security Engineers and Specialists. Paul’s extensive experience led to his recent appointment to the Institute’s Board of Directors.

Paul Wood PGCE MBA CSyP CiiSCM CIISec FSyl FIoL FRGS RSES CISM CPP® SRMC

Bob Martin

Bob is a distinguished professional in the security industry.  With a career spanning over four decades, Bob's contributions have left an indelible mark, reshaping and elevating the standards of security practices, as was recognized by his OSPA Lifetime Achievement Award 2024. His commitment, expertise, and visionary leadership have not only propelled the industry forward but have also inspired countless individuals to pursue excellence in their security endeavors.  Bob is the epitome of visionary leadership in the diverse and complicated world of security management. Bob's vast expertise and deep understanding of security matters have been instrumental in him being invited to be an Adviser to the Board.

Bob Martin JP CSyP FSyI RISC MASC

Advisor to the Board

Meet the Team

Our Head Office team are at the core of everything we do at The Security Institute: We are pleased to have a committed team that are focused on delivery a quality service to our members and stakeholders.

Professor Simon Hepburn

More Information...

Professor Simon Hepburn MA MCMI FRSA – Chief Executive Officer

Hollie Ferguson

Hollie Ferguson – Executive Assistant to CEO & Board Clerk

Paula Stanbridge

Paula Stanbridge – Membership Registrar

Lisa Molineau

Lisa Molineau – Deputy Membership Registrar

Isam Talbi

Isam Talbi – Membership Engagement Officer

Vikki Fox

Vikki Fox – Finance & Operations Manager

Amanda Durno

Amanda Durno – Quality Assurance & Business Support Officer

Aniska Hancox

Aniska Hancox – Partnership Officer

Heidi King

Heidi King – Finance Officer

James Dawson

James Dawson – Marketing & Communications Manager

Olivia Lamyman

Olivia Lamyman – Senior Events & Marketing Officer

Danielle Subingsubing

Danielle Subingsubing – Events Officer

Jacqui van Noort

Jacqui van Noort – Business Support Officer

Andreea Mocanu

Andreea Mocanu – Chartership Administrator

Khizar Akbar

Khizar Akbar – Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Vol.)

Thomas Vinding-Huseby

Thomas Vinding-Huseby – Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Vol.)

Governance

Governance is a system that provides a framework for managing organisations legally, ethically, sustainably, and successfully. At the Security Institute we aim to work within governance best practice to ensure that we are fit for purpose to deliver on our vision and mission and that we are operating for the benefit of our members and the security profession.

Articles of Association

Code of Ethics

Security Institute Regulations

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