The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) has announced that Oliver Curran will be succeeding the long-standing chair Les Allan.

AUCSO, the leading organisation for security professionals working in higher and further education around the world, had Oliver Curran as vice-chair until now.

Curran has been a member of the AUCSO Executive Committee for five years and has served the security industry for close to three decades.

Curran has also been occupying the prominent role of in-house security manager at University College London in the last 15 years.

Following new appointments, current Executive Board member Geoff Brown, head of campus safety at the University of York, became the new vice-chair of AUCSO.

After retiring from the police service, Brown worked in Iraq as a security consultant for oil company Heritage Energy Middle East, duly managing logistics for local, national and expat employees.

The new chair Oliver Curran said he is looking forward to stepping up to the role of the chair and commented on his new appointment: “The higher education sector is without doubt a challenging environment in which to operate, but also a very rewarding one. I’m extremely keen and honoured to be working so closely with so many dedicated security professionals and many amazing external partners.

“With Geoff by my side and with the support of the other dedicated members of the Executive Committee, I’m sure we will continue the incredible work Les conducted while serving as chair. Together, we will ensure that AUCSO is fit for the future.”

Julie Barker, AUCSO’s chief operating officer, also commented on the dual appointment: “We are delighted to welcome Oliver and Geoff to their new roles on the Executive Committee and look forward to working with them, and indeed all of the Executive Committee members, in order to steer the organisation forward. We have no doubt that it will be a fantastic and rewarding experience for both of them.”

(Source: Security Matters)