Watchdog seminar sends out reassuring message

(23/07/2001)

THE SECURITY WATCHDOG, AN independent manned guarding auditor, held its inaugural Seminar and Luncheon at Farnham Castle last month (June 2001). The one-day seminar, entitled "Making a Success of Contract Manned Guarding" was chaired by Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate OBE.

Leading lights from the manned security industry addressed more than 100 delegates from the facilities management and security on what they felt was necessary to realistically improve the manned guarding industry. The overriding message to come across was that the fate of the industry still remains in the hands of both responsible clients and quality manned guarding companies.

Stuart Lowden, director of manned security provider Wilson James, gave his views on how the Working Time Directive can be made to work in the current industry climate. This was followed by presentations from Peter Black, managing director of Group 4, who focused on training and benefits and how these are essential for quality staff, and then Bill Philps, managing director of Galago, who explored the expanding role of the security officer.

The morning session was concluded by John Legge, managing director of Whitehall Security, who gave a 'from the heart' speech on how he had successfully retained one client for almost 21 years.

Head-to-head

The post-lunch session took a different theme, commencing with a punchy head-to-head between Peter Harvey, Managing Director of Capitol Security and Stuart Lowden (Wilson James) debating the virtues of using a major or minor company to provide the service. This was followed by 'Question Time' in which a panel consisting of Craig Pickard (Lynx Security), Tom Jones (Cisco Systems), David Ottewill (Camberford Law), Charles Swanson (Corps of Commissionaires) and Mark O'Neil (Sinclair Roche & Temperley) answered questions from delegates.

Terry O'Neil, founder and director of The Security Watchdog, then explained the role of the Watchdog in monitoring and improving on-site performance. He was followed by Ian Sanderson of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI), who focused on the development of the Security Industry Authority - which will be established to implement industry regulation - in the coming years.

The event was sponsored by: Brooknight Security; Capitol Security; Danhouse; Galago; Group 4 Falck; Initial Security; Lynx Security; Midas Security Group; Securiplan and Trident Safeguards.