IFSEC Global influencers 2018: Security executives

After consultation with a panel of highly respected judges, we’re delighted to reveal the IFSEC Global influencers 2018 – security executives category.

The roll call of influencers across the security and fire industries is broken down into seven categories – which you can click on below to reveal the final rankings.

We defined ‘influence’ in the following ways:

• Someone who has played a key role in driving technological innovation
• Someone who has been a driving force in changing regulation, standards/guidance or best practice
• Someone whose insights/opinions are widely respected and which are influential in shaping debate around industry issues
• Someone who has been instrumental in the success of the organisation or business they lead or are employed by
• Someone who has helped to raise the industry’s profile or been an influential voice in the national media

We’d like to thank Grant Lecky, co-founder of the Security Partners Forum, for his tireless efforts as lead judge. Lecky, who himself featured in IFSEC Global’s list of top influencers in 2014 and 2017, appointed the panel of judges (which you can also view below) and coordinated the nominations and judging process. Thanks also to Bonnie Butlin, also co-founder of the Security Partners Forum and number one in last year’s international thought leader rankings, for helping to coordinate the process.

You can network with some of the influencers during a meet-and-greet session during IFSEC International, 19-21 June 2018, ExCeL London – between 4-5pm on Wednesday 20 June in the ASIS Lounge.

IFSEC Global security & fire influencers 2018 – the other categories

Security manufacturers/service providers

Security management

Security thought leadership

Cybersecurity

Fire safety

System design, installation & integration

Security executives

10. Waal De Waal, COO, Bidvest Protea Coin

Waal De Waal has been chief operating officer at Bidvest Protea Coin since 2002.

Notable nominations:

“Waal epitomizes a chief operating officer. He is passionate about the safety and security of communities in South Africa. He has on many occasions put his own life at risk by physically being on the ground to combat crime in dangerous areas like BTS towers for our mobile Telecoms clients and underground fighting crime for our mining industry customers.

“Waal is a walking intelligence encyclopaedia for our company. His 30 years experience in this industry, his passion for people and his precision makes him the best in the security industry in South Africa. He sacrifices time with his family to fighting crime and creating a safer South Africa. There is no job too low for the COO, he roots out crime and corruption hands on, he supports his team by leading by example. He is always developing his knowledge of the industry and the technological developments so he can serve the community better. He deserves to be recognized for his contribution.”

9. John Turey, Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management & Global Security, TE Connectivity

In his own words on LinkedIn: “During my 22 years of work in the security, business continuity and enterprise risk fields, I have developed a proven record of providing large multinational organizations with the strategies required to ensure the security & resiliency of employees, resources, and operations.

“My background includes working closely with other departments while managing extremely talented teams. I have hands on experience in all aspects of what it takes to respond to complex crisis situations and rapidly minimize any damage while maximizing recovery time. In 2015 I was recognized by Security Magazine as one of the “Most Influential People in Corporate Security”.

“My years of working on a global stage have allowed me to gain the experience, insight, networks and traits that can only come to one who has had the diverse opportunities like I have. I enjoy empowering teams to succeed through expert training, professional development, and team building.

“I am Board certified in security and active with industry leading organizations like: ASIS International, International Security Management Association, Global Security Risk Management Association.”

“A thought leader in both enterprise risk and security. He is highly respected by his peers.”

8. Roland Clouthier, SVP, CSO, ADP

Cloutier is senior vice president and chief security officer at ADP, one of the world’s largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. Before joining ADP in 2010, he has held senior security-related positions at EMC and various consulting and managed security service organizations and served nine years in federal law enforcement. Cloutier was recognized by Security Magazine as one of the most influential people in security and is the author of Becoming a Global Chief Security Executive Officer: A How To Guide for Next Generation Security Leaders.

An important part of the role of the chief security officer is “to understand what a business process does,” Cloutier told Forbes in an interview. He also said that “IT needs to deliver technology at speed,” he says. This may override sometimes the cautionary perspective that is needed to understand and manage threats. But the two organization must work together and the “MBOs of both CSO and CIO need to be aligned.”

7. Allan Burnett QPM BSc (Hons) FSyI SecuriGroup

Allan Burnett QPM joined SecuriGroup as Operations Director in 2010 following a distinguished 30-year policing career, having held positions as Assistant Chief Constable and ACPOS Coordinator of Counter-terrorism.  Allan has made notable contributions in counter-terrorism , shaping discussion surrounding the UK’s CONTEST strategy, and improving communication links between the police and the private sector. Allan is a regular commentator on national media, and was invited to inform the discussion immediately following recent terrorist attacks in London and Manchester.

Through his work with organisations such as ‘Security Industry Safer Scotland – Counter Terrorism Group,’ Allan works with quality membership from the public and private sectors to enhance the capacity and capability of the security industry to counter terrorism.

Allan collaborates with a variety of organisations. These range from Prince Charles’ Business in the Community and its Business Emergency Resilience Group, to his ongoing consultation work with Police Scotland in reviewing policies and procedures.

In the past six months, Allan has accepted invitations to present expert opinion and analysis to RBS, Halliburton, The Security Institute, and IOSH, among others. He also led a SecuriGroup counter-terrorism presentation at the Southbank Centre, just one week before the Westminster Attack, less than one mile away.

Mr Burnett has authored articles in The Daily Record, City Security Magazine, and the London Universities Purchasing Consortium’s official magazine, Linked.

What is clear from Allan’s career is that he has a desire to effect improvements in the safety of the public by supporting the development of the security industry […] He has been a calming voice of reason in calling for sensible responses, and reminding the public of the support available from the police and security industry. In this way, Allan is a valuable and positive representative of the sector, consistent in his opinion that private security services are a vital element in ensuring the general safety of the UK.

6. Adam Bonaa, CEO, Kazz Group

Adam Bonaa is a security and safety expert with more than 20 years of experience in counter terror, defence and intelligence, designing and implementing Security and Safety solutions for private customers as well as the Government domestically and abroad.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kazz Group of companies, which is made up of Security Warehouse Limited, Supreme Techno Security Ltd, Solargen Ghana Limited, Global Trackers and Car Alarms ltd, and Kazz Multimedia Ltd. He is also the Executive President of the I Pledge for Peace Ghana Campaign, Ghana.

Mr Bonaa and his security businesses have won several awards including the Ghana Auto awards 2016 –(Best Car Tracking company of the year2016), Ghana Property Awards- 2016 ( Best Security Systems of the Year2016) ,Most outstanding Security Company in Ghana 2017 and Best Business Quality Awards 2017.

He features on the security and safety alert segment on Radio and TV Gold every Wednesday as well as TV Africa on Mondays for a security and safety alert program. He also writes about security and safety for major newspapers in Ghana including the Daily Graphic, Times News paper, Chronicle, Business day, and Consumer Focus.

He holds qualifications in Security and Safety, MBA from Coventry University and is pursuing a Doctorial Degree with NIBS and SWISS Business School. Adam is President of Lakeside Business Association.

“He brings skills in out-of-the-box thinking, change management, managing teams, group dynamics and multi-stakeholder facilitation.  Mr. Bonaa has considerable strong leadership, organizational, management, programme and work planning, co-ordination, and problem-solving, and project management skills. In addition, having worked at both international and National levels, he has rich insights, perspectives, considerable wealth of knowledge and experience with Security and Safety developmental issues, and a very valuable network of individuals and organizations both within Africa and across the world. Mr. Bonaa has been the Lone voice Advocating for a National Security and Safety POLICY for Ghana.”

5. Bonnie Michelman, director of security and police services, Massachusetts General

Bonnie Michelman has extensive leadership and security management experience in diverse industries. She currently is the Director of Police, Security and Outside Services at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Security Consultant for Partners Healthcare Inc., comprising 13 hospitals in Massachusetts. She oversees a licensed Police Department in this role among other departments. She was formerly a senior Executive at First Security Services Corporation (now Securitas) overseeing Security for 60 diverse operations, and Assistant Vice President for General Services/Operations at Newton Wellesley Hospital managing 16 operational and support departments.

Bonnie served as President in 2001 of ASIS-International, a 40,000-person organization, Chairman of the Board in 2002, and Foundation President from 2003-2005. She is Past President (2008 and 1995) as well as Chairman of the Board of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS). Bonnie is currently on the Board of Directors for the International Security Management Association (ISMA) taking over as President of that organization in 2016. She has been an Instructor at Northeastern University, College of Criminal Justice in the Graduate and Undergraduate program since 1988. Bonnie is on the Regional Board of Directors for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and chairs their National Security Committee. Under Bonnie’s direction, Mass General won the Lindberg Bell Award for the nation’s finest healthcare security program in 1999 and 2007 among numerous other awards and recognitions. She was appointed in 2010 by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) and chairs the DHS Faith Based Security Advisory Committee.

She lectures and consults internationally on areas of healthcare security, workplace violence, hate crimes, active shooter training, domestic violence, risk assessment/management, disaster planning, leadership and communications. She has many publications in various journals on safety, security, leadership and management.  She also does significant work in Executive Coaching, Management Engineering and Strategic Planning.

Bonnie has an MBA, and MS in Criminal Justice and a BA in Government and Sociology. She holds her CPP and CHPA certifications.

“An acknowledged and exceptional leader in the security field.  Bonnie leads the Security and Police Services business at Massachusetts General Hospital which includes international businesses that Bonnie is reesponsible for.  Bonnie is a strong advocate for having more women in the corporate security field and has been a mentor to many people in the security field.” 

4. Paul DeMatteis, Director, Global Corporate Security

Experience includes work as an executive security professional in three international financial institutions, two major law firms and the U.S. and foreign governments. Serve as expert commentator for NBC, CNN and Fox News. Work for other global consulting firms, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and directly for international organizations.

Evaluation of high-risk environments and development of security programs and mitigation systems and strategies in over 60 countries.

Successful in developing and implementing enterprise-wide strategies, policies, standards and guidelines to address physical and information security, crisis management, fraud prevention, active shooter strategy, risk management and outsourcing security controls for business processes. Conduct and supervise due diligence, thread and social media analysis, fraud and employee wrongdoing investigations on state, national and global levels, reduce loss and maximize recovery.

Expertise in physical security assessment and complex physical security system design, vault design, counterterrorism systems, executive protection, project management, global travel security, executive and staff training, investigations and international economic espionage; administration of multimillion dollar security department budgets and negotiation of substantial vendor contracts within the U.S. and abroad. Programs proven under extreme conditions. Lecture to business groups, security associations, law enforcement and governmental agencies.

“Paul’s a consummate security professional.  He helped shape the industry’s professional standards, risk and threat assessment methods, and multiple young and aspiring professionals. His work at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice to help develop future talent and enable transitioning government cadre for careers in the private sector hasn’t been replicated to date. Paul also helped faith-based organizations and academic institutions establish and improve security programs, thus directly facilitating significant risk reduction. With all his achievements, Paul remains a humble and approachable person, who’s willing to share his knowledge and help others. Paul is one of the very few real leaders in our profession.”

3. Baroness Ruth Henig CBE SecuriGroup

Baroness Ruth Henig, President of the Security Institute and former Chair of the Security Industry Authority, has spent a lifetime in public service, spanning academia, local government, police authorities and government bodies. In recognition for a successful 24 year career in local government, including 10 years chairing the Association of Police Authorities in England and Wales, Ruth was awarded a CBE for services to policing. She was also appointed as Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire in 2002 and made a life peer in 2004 as Baroness Henig of Lancaster.

Baroness Henig is now also a Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, taking her place on the European Security Committee on Foreign Affairs and continuing to be an active member of the Independent Policing Commission. In a recent speech to the House of Lords, Ruth provided an argent defence of the crucial role that the Security Industry Authority has played in raising the standards of private security and how it needs further government support in order to modernise for the changing threat and the challenges faced by the modern security industry.

In 2006, Ruth was appointed Chair of the Security Industry Authority in which role she served six years, overseeing the introduction of the SIA’s role of regulating the private security industry and processing licences for individual security officers. In her role as a peer, Ruth has continued to focus on matters relating to policing, local government, criminal justice and in particular the regulation of private security. Baroness Henig was delighted to announce in April 2016 that she had been chosen to succeed Lord Alex Carlile as President of the Security Institute.

“In recognition for a successful 24 year career in local government, including 10 years chairing the Association of Police Authorities in England and Wales, Ruth was awarded a CBE for services to policing.”

2. Volker Wagner, VP Security, BASF SE

Volker is chairman of the German Association for Security in Industry and Commerce (ASW)) and board member of the German Association for Security in the Economy North Rhine-Westphalia (VSW-NW). Between 2011 to 2016 he was on the board of the Subcommittee on Economic Protection of the Federation of the German Industry (BDI). Influential in ASIS International organisation he is a member of the European Advisory Council, the international CSO Roundtable and chairman of the European Convergence Subcommittee.

In 2010 and 2016 he attended high level courses for international security policies at the Federal College for Security Studies in Berlin, Germany’s highest-ranking inter-ministerial institution for advanced education and training in the field of security policy. He holds a business management degree from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and successfully achieved a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership certified by the Chartered Management Institute (UK).

He is Senior Vice President at Deutsche Telekom Headquarters. From 2008 until 2014 he was in charge of the realignment of Group Business Security at Deutsche Telekom AG. As the telecoms giant’s Chief Security Officer he dealt internationally with the group’s security and Business Continuity Management and I was therefore responsible for business security in 50 countries.

“Volker Wagner is an outstanding European security leader with a global influence. He has implemented and promoted converged Enterprise Security strategies at the highest levels in and to organisations across Europe and focussed the attention of ASIS International to develop their Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM) approach.

“Volker has achieved this in many ways. As Chair of the ASIS European Convergence committee since 2013 and as a key leader for the ASIS International ESRM commission he campaigns for a consistent and efficient approach through many popular channels such as the ASIS European conference and leading German Security Conferences where he engages with the National Govt at the highest levels.  Volker is responsible for BASF SE Group Security as Vice President Security since beginning 2018. This includes physical security, investigations, event and close protection. He has used his extensive understanding of Finance, Fraud and Marketing in his role as Senior Vice President Deutsche Telekom and Chairman of the Executive Staff Representation Committee and many years as Senior VP Group Business Security to develop relations between security professionals and the wider economy and global environment.

“It is his passion and inspiring leadership which has marked him as a highly respected and visionary leader.””

1. Paul Moxness Carlson/Reizdor Hotel Group

Paul’s contributions and accolades in the security industry are numerous and well-known.  Most notably, he served in leadership roles with the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International, and HOTREC, and has been an obvious subject matter expert choice for academia, professional organizations, and public-private partnerships.

In his own words: “I’ve been on a three decade journey in a company that has taken me, literally, from the basement of a five-star hotel in Oslo, Norway where I started as a security guard, to our corporate headquarters in Brussels where I am now a Vice President with a global responsibility for the alignment and development of our safety and security formula, guidance and support programmes that are accessible to our 1500 hotels around the world.

“Our well-known formula, TRIC=S, was launched in 2007. TRIC=S: Threat Assessment + Risk Mitigation + Incident Response Capability + Crisis Management, Communication and Community = Safe, Secure and Sellable hotels. The motto for the programme is “Always Care!”

“In June 2014 I had the great honour of receiving a Carlson Fellow Award from Carlson CEO, Trudy Rautio and Carlson Board Chair, Diana Nelson. The Carlson Fellows award is the company’s highest honour. Founded in 1988 by Curtis L. Carlson, the lifetime achievement award honours exemplary results for the company, great strength of character, strong leadership and dedication.”

“Since meeting Paul 13 years ago, he has served as a constant source of knowledge, wisdom, and mentorship. Paul has the immense bandwidth to communicate authoritatively on virtually any aspect of security—from operational to strategic levels.  He does so in a manner that is cogent, objective, and comprehensive.  He generously imparts his knowledge upon others leaving them better equipped to do their job. 

“Despite his executive position and responsibilities, Paul maintains his operational skillset and never forgets where he came from.  This grounding allows him to communicate and collaborate with all stakeholders, from the most junior of employees to senior executives. 

“Paul’s leadership style is like a time-tested recipe; one that blends the best ingredients—vision, tools, empowerment of subordinates, and a touch of humility—in the most precise amounts, consistently delivering results that never disappoint.  He seeks not only to advance the field with vision and commitment, but also to enrich the profession through a legacy of mentorship. 

“I have often sought Paul’s guidance and referred many colleagues to him.  In fact, I have never met another executive—in any field—who so freely offers their time to assist and mentor others.  Due to its ability to resonate throughout the profession, I consider Paul’s mentoring to be his signature contribution. 

“Paul lives by the mantra that security is not just a vocation, but also a calling.  His approach is people-centric, recognizing that an organization’s greatest asset is its human capital.  Paul’s humility makes him a unique leader.  He has an uncanny ability to convey personal anecdotes that are interesting, humorous, and always contain  relevant life lessons.  Within these stories, Paul cites his own errors, demonstrating that we are all fallible, can learn from our mistakes, and they do not end careers.  The security field is fortunate to have many talented leaders, however, Paul emerges among this select cadre.  The preceding comments underscore why Paul’s journey has taken him from uniform security guard to the C-suite.”