IFSEC Keynote Arena: spotlight on security leadership

The IFSEC Keynote Arena is set to welcome its most distinguished line-up of speakers, ever. One such speaker is David Burrill OBE. He will be taking to the stage on Thursday 21st June. Here is an overview of his keynote address, and a chance to learn more about him.

As security plays a greater role than ever before, David Burrill OBE will share his insight into security leadership. His keynote talk entitled ‘A seat at the table – value beyond dreams’, will show corporate security professionals how to influence board-level decisions, and how to get a seat at the table.

Meet David Burrill OBE

David was, for 32 years, a member of the British Army Intelligence Corps.  In his military career, he held several key appointments including head of intelligence and security for land forces in the Falklands Campaign, chief instructor for all Royal Navy, Army and some Royal Air Force security training, head of intelligence and security for the 1^st British Corps, commander of the British armed forces interrogation and de-briefing organisation, chief of staff of the British defence intelligence and security centre and deputy director of the Intelligence Corps.  He retired early from the army to become Chief Security Officer at BAT Industries, a manufacturing and insurance industry conglomerate, later to become British American Tobacco – a company with presence in over 180 countries.  Insurance companies for which he was responsible, during a six-year period, were Farmers Insurance (USA), Eagle Star (UK and international) and Allied Dunbar; all now part of Zurich Insurance.  From 2004 to 2009, David retained his military links as Deputy Colonel Commandant Intelligence Corps, a role with officer selection, charitable trustee management and ceremonial responsibilities. More recently, on 1 January 2016, David became the Chairman of the Trustee Board of the (British) Military Intelligence Museum.

What can you expect from David Burrill’s keynote talk

David will give his talk on leadership and explore why security professionals within organisations do not often reach top level management like other business support functions, such as Legal, HR, Communications and IT.

He will examine why the security functions rarely have full time representation on ExComs/Management Boards and why even less frequently on the Main Board. As he unpacks this he will look at the constraints that have prevented this in the past and look at how organisations and individual security professionals can change this in the future and ensure better representation at the top.

What security professionals will learn

Security professionals will learn how they can break away from the constraints of their role to ‘get a seat at the table’ with other corporate functions, and contribute to higher level decision making. He will cover:

• Why this is important for the security sector
• What the benefits are for security professionals to ‘get a seat at the table’ in terms of business success and individual professional development
• What needs to be done to elevate the view and credibility of the security industry
• How you can unpick your experience and knowledge of your business to elevate your position as a security professional
• How realising your full potential will free you from the constraints of your role and lead you to success

David’s keynote presentation will take place at 12:00 on Thursday 21st June in the IFSEC Keynote Arena.. Register for free now.

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