The much-anticipated merger of the Security Institute and the International Institute of Security (IISec) was confirmed by votes cast at Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) held by both organisations on 11 December. The all-new merged organisation officially launched on Tuesday 1 January as The Security Institute (with the strapline ‘incorporating the International Institute of Security’ being used on those occasions where it is appropriate to do so).
The membership, aims and objectives, liabilities and assets of both organisations are being merged into one company limited by guarantee (and without charitable status). Membership benefits of both the IISec and The Security Institute (SyI) ‘as was’ are available to all members of the new body. Existing IISec members have not been required to undergo validation or vetting, while existing SyI members will not have to sit an examination.
Hitting the ground running
On a managerial level, the former directors of the IISec and SyI now comprise the Board of Directors for the merged company. This enlarged interim Board is to remain in place until the 2009 Annual General Meeting. Bill Wyllie is chairman of The Security Institute, John Rose – former chairman of IISec – assumes the role of deputy chairman and David Gill (managing director at Linx International) is vice-chairman.
Hitting the ground running, the new organisation is set to establish an Academic Board that will ‘fuse’ the educational expertise held by both bodies prior to merger, and examine ways in which the range of professional development opportunities open to security managers and directors might be improved.
On the radar is the implementation of a defined system for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
At the IISec EGM, the final tally of postal and personal votes cast read 168 in favour of the merger, with seven members against and a lone abstention. The Security Institute EGM saw 176 members vote in favour of the merger. Just one member voted in opposition.
The synergies resulting from this merger will give a powerful boost to The Security Institute’s ongoing push towards a petition for Chartered status, and the creation of a Chartered designation for security professionals.
“Historic and exciting”
Commenting on the new organisation, Bill Wyllie told SMT: “This is an historic and exciting development in the drive for professional standards and recognition for security as a vital strand of business. The Security Institute will continue to work with Government, national agencies, the business sector and related professional organisations in order to deliver the highest standards of professional competence and integrity at all times. It is going to be a time of tremendous excitement and challenge.”
At the combined Board meeting this month, John Rose will be setting out his thoughts on future academic work to support distance learning qualifications, while stressing the importance of international links forged since the IISec was founded back in 1968.
“The process towards merger has been very amicable,” stressed Rose, “and I’m sure the new combined Institute has a great future.”