Page 5 - SyI Quarterly 9 final

line-up of speakers fittingly centered around the theme of ‘Influential Security’, with
presentations from Heather Baily, Professor Michael Mainelli, Chris Smith CSyP FSyI,
Frank Cannon CSyP FSyI, Dr Aoife Hunt, Elizabeth Seger, Shivindra Prapat Singh MSyI
and Steve McGrath MSyI.

Yet another opportunity for professionals from across the sector to meet was our
Gala Awards, which returned for the first time since 2019. The Gala Awards present
an opportunity for us to celebrate those members that have impacted both the
Institute and the wider sector, I was pleased to present all of the winners alongside
our President Baroness Ruth Henig CSyI. It was also a pleasure to be joined on the
evening by Figen Murray, as we presented the newly named NextGen Star Award in
memory of Martyn Hett. Congratulations to all the winners and those nominated.

In addition to our big events, much of the engagement over the past few months
has been member-led. The Young Members Group (YMG) for example has gained
great momentum in the past few months, thanks to the efforts of our Co-Chairs Ana
Spiridonova and Camilla Scrimgeour ASyI. There have been in-person socialising
events and online CPD sessions such as the ‘Security Career Pathways Q&A Panel’,
which presented a great opportunity for those emerging in our sector to ask
questions and gain advice from leading professionals. Similar events to this are
planned for the coming months, if you are under 35 I encourage you to get involved.
In 2022 the first of our ‘Secure Futures’ Graduates, who completed our employability
programme with the EY Foundation, will be eligible for their year of free Institute
membership. I am pleased to see that there are more YMG events planned in 2022
for them to engage with.
This year the Institute has continued its work to ensure that the security sector
is embracing diversity and inclusive for all, with our Inclusive Security Special
Interest Group (ISSIG) leading the way. The ISSIG’s work has been recognised in the
last quarter by the Security Commonwealth, receiving the first David Clark Award
for Exceptional Contribution to the UK Security Sector. This follows their notable
Inclusivity and Diversity Questionnaire, which received over 700 responses, the full
results of which will be shared in the new year.
Building on the impactful work of the ISSIG, a group of members have launched a
first of its kind LGBT+ support and advocacy group for the entire security sector. The
new ‘Rainbow Group’ launched in October and seeks to create a safe space for those
security professionals that do not feel comfortable being their full authentic selves
in the workplace or in other aspects of their life, being led by Mel Hipwood MSyI,
Satia Rai MSyI and Sian Doherty MSyI. If you wish to participate in any way please
email [email protected].
Another area of great expansion within the last year has been our collaboration
with other organisations within the sector. In the past few months, we have entered
several MOU agreements with other organisations to enhance collaboration. The
UK Crowd Management Association (UKCMA) can now be added to our strategic
partners, there is so much to be gained from working more closely together, to
support our professionals and raise standards. This collaboration will further
enable our organisations to contribute to a safer UK and further prepare for
the ‘Protect Duty’. Thank you to Rob Kennedy CSyP FSyI for leading on this
new partnership.

We were also pleased to be collaborating alongside CREST Approved on
work surrounding ‘physical’ penetration testing. Those in attendence
at our Annual Conference may have seen them exhibiting and we
look forward to attending CRESTCON in May 2022.

2022 is set to be another impactful year for the Institute as
we continue to expand. We are currently in the process
of recruiting a Chief Operating Officer, who will help
further drive the work of the Institute and our Head
Office Team. There is a lot more on the horizon
that we will be pleased to present to you, our
membership, in due course.