The Worshipful Company includes 250 Freeman from the wider world of security including the military, police, corporate security, academics, anti-fraud professionals, security consultants and investigators. The charitable organisation also represents security personnel (encompassing security guarding as well as Cash-in-Transit response services) along with providers of CCTV, intruder alarm and access control solutions based in the electronic sector of the industry.
“By City standards, the new Worshipful Company has made remarkable progress,” comments Peter French in conversation with info4security.com “Normally, it would take at least 14 years to progress from being a Guild to becoming a Livery Company. We have achieved this in just eight years.”
Arrangements are already in hand to celebrate The Company’s new, enhanced status. The Company’s Coat of Arms will soon be mounted in London’s Guildhall alongside all the other Livery shields, while a formal ceremony of the granting of its Livery Certificate by the Lord Mayor will be held at the Mansion House (followed by a Celebration Luncheon at The Guildhall on Friday 2 May).
Former Lord Mayor Alderman Sir David Brewer CMG (Company sponsor and Honorary Freeman of The Company) adds: “I am proud to be a member of Merchant Taylors’, one of the oldest Companies, while at the same time being affiliated to one of the youngest in The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals. Security affects us all, both in our corporate lives and our personal lives. This is something relevant to the City today, just like Livery Companies of old used to be. The Company is quoted all the time as an example of how to form and nurture a Livery Company.”
Peter French continues: “This is truly a landmark day for us. It is recognition by the City of the contribution that professional security makes, not only to the safety of the country but also in relation to the commercial success of the UK. A great deal of work has been done over the last eight years by some outstanding colleagues, and today we are overjoyed that all the effort has been worthwhile. Now, we are looking forward to joining the other Livery Companies and becoming part of the history of this great City of ours.”
The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals: a brief history
The City of London has always heavily relied upon good security to protect its people, property and world renowned reputation but, until 1999, the security profession had no Livery links.
On 25 August 1999, The Guild of Security Professionals was registered with the City of London Chamberlain’s Office. On 18 November in the same year, 12 colleagues from across the security spectrum met at the Guildhall to map out how they would make their vision of a Guild become a reality.
There was an inaugural meeting of 62 Founders on 27 March 2000, with Sir Neil Macfarlane elected as the Founder Master. Mr Deputy Philip Willoughby attended that meeting to give advice and support, and he remains a Freeman of The Company to this day. Alderman Sir David Brewer CMG agreed to become the Guild’s Sponsoring Alderman, and is now an Honorary Life Freeman.
In September 2000 an inaugural Annual Dinner was held at Drapers’ Hall, with 224 diners and a reserve list. At the end of that year, Guild membership had increased to 90 and The Company had built up a healthy bank balance. The Windsor Herald designed a Coat of Arms, and The Queen’s Chaplain at the Tower of London, The Rev Paul Abram, was appointed as Honorary Chaplain to the Guild.
By mid-2003, membership and financial targets had been met and, on 6 January 2004, the Guild became a Recognised Company of the City of London without Grant of Livery.
The Company has been honoured to welcome, in affiliation, the Royal Air Force Regiment, HMS Severn and the Regiment of the Royal Military Police.
The Company supports many charities and educational institutions, and has initiated a number of projects including The Whittington Course, The Sheriffs’ Award, Hear4U (in conjunction with FirstAssist and Security Management Today) and the Life Home Project in Phukhet.
On 15 January 2008 the Court of Alderman was petitioned and, on 19 February 2008, the Court declared us to be The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (Livery Company No 108)
Hear4U: IFSEC 2008 Charity of the Year 2008
CMP Information, the organiser of IFSEC, has nominated Hear4U as its Charity of the Year for 2008.
Hear4U is a service developed by The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals in conjunction with Security Management Today (SMT) and FirstAssist specifically for individuals working in the security profession, providing them with medical and health-related guidance and support. The objective is to enable those employees who may have been injured at work or are suffering from ill-health to return to gainful employment as soon as possible. It’s a ‘safety net’ for the most vulnerable individuals working in the security sector, in particular front line officers.
During the past 12 months, members of Hear4U’s Support Team have counselled those distressed by bereavement, and offered comfort to industry employees who have fallen on hard times in addition to swift medical assistance in instances where waiting on the NHS may have jeopardised an individual’s employment.
For further information log on at www.hear4u.org.uk
If you wish to make a donation to the charity, cheques should be made payable to ‘The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals Charitable Trust’ and forwarded to: c/o SSR Personnel Services, 5 Blackhorse Lane, London E17 6DN
