Paul Barnard CSyP MSyI has been announced as the new Vice Chair of the Security Institute, joining its senior leadership team and working alongside Chair, Peter Lavery and Deputy Chair, Mahbubul Islam to drive the Institute’s work forward.
One of just over 200 Chartered Security Professionals, Paul is a key influencer within the security community. During his extensive career, Paul has served as Detective Superintendent and Detective Chief Superintendent for Counter Terrorism in the City of London Police, with overall responsibility for delivery of CONTEST policing, Counter Terrorism funding and engagement with strategic partners, including the Home Office. Since leaving the police, Paul has worked at a strategic level within the private security industry and was named among IFSEC Global’s top influencers in Security in 2020.
Paul succeeds previous Vice Chair, Jonathan Schulten FSyI, who is standing down from the role. This follows on from Paul’s longstanding role as a Non-Executive Director on the Institute’s Board of Directors, during which time he has led the Institute’s Next Generation in Security Initiative (#NextGen) with a passion to promote career pathways for young people into the security profession. Through the Institute’s various #NextGen activities, Paul has spearheaded youth engagement within the security sector.
Most recently, Paul has been the driving force behind the Institute’s partnership with the EY Foundation and the creation of the ‘Secure Futures’ programme. The ‘Secure Futures’ programme is a youth employability programme, which for the first time earlier this year saw 27 young people from low-income households participate in two weeks of digital work experience within the security sector and are currently being mentored by security professionals.
On top of his work leading the #NextGen initiative, Paul has also been involved in several other key developments within the Institute. Paul is the sponsoring Director for the Institute’s Inclusive Security Special Interest Group (IS SIG), supporting the co-chairs Anna-Liisa Tampuu ASyI and Lisa Reilly MSyI in their efforts to provide more opportunities for underrepresented groups within the security profession. Furthermore, Paul has also supported the work being conducted by the Institute’s Counter Terrorism Special Interest Group (CT SIG) as part of the UK Government’s PROTECT Duty Consultation.
Speaking on the news Security Institute Chair Peter Lavery FSyI said: “Paul is an active member of the Security Institute’s Board of Directors and brings with him a long and distinguished law enforcement career and more recent commercial experience. Paul has impressed us all with his personal determination and drive for our Next Generation programme with a clear passion for delivering career pathways for young people. Paul brings valued experience and skills to the Institute’s leadership team at a time of increasing importance for the security profession as we consider those issues for the Institute’s strategy and the future.”
Speaking on his new role, Paul said: “I am so proud to have been invited to take up the role of Vice Chairman of the Security Institute, a position I have accepted. I follow in the footsteps of recent incumbents Paul Drury and Johnathan Schulten. Thank you both for the foundations you have laid for the benefit of our members.
“In the middle of a global pandemic, an economic downturn with the added uncertainty and challenges these bring, for me this is an exciting time to be taking on this role. Right now young people, people from diverse backgrounds and from other sectors need to hear loud and clear that the security sector has amazing career opportunities.
Our membership is growing at a fast pace and our special interest groups are hosting thought leadership sessions, with ever growing influence. This is a great time to be a member of the Security Institute with so many professional development options.
I will be championing your cause, helping to influence stakeholders for your benefit and help to shape the Security Institutes strategy.
I am keen to hear from our members about what your thoughts are on the above subjects, so please do get in touch.”
Immediate Past Vice Chair, Jonathan added will continue with his responsibilities in delivering the Institute’s Protect Duty response (of which he has summarised exclusively for IFSEC Global here), supporting the active CT SIG, chairing the Risk Committee and contributing to the Validation Board.
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