Outstanding names of security industry revealed
Winners of 2023 UK OSPAs were announced on 23 February
The 7th UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) event was held at the Royal Lancaster London on 23 February 2023.
More than five hundred security professionals gathered to celebrate the very best from across the sector with awards given in 17 categories. OSPAs founder Professor Martin Gill commented: “This year the competition was particularly tough; with the number of nominations significantly exceeding those received in previous years. The thirty-one security experts who made up the judging panel had no easy task in selecting the finalists and winners.
“The OSPAs event is a true celebration to acknowledge and recognise the fantastic work that is taking place within the security industry – to enhance the safety and security of our communities – and all those that were nominated should feel very proud” Gill further added.
The event also supported PTSD Resolution, a veterans’ mental health charity, with guests at the London event making donations to assist veterans, reservists and their families who are struggling to reintegrate into a normal work and family life because of trauma suffered during military service and other adverse life events.
Lifetime Achievement Award to Joe Connell
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Joe Connell who has served the United Kingdom as a Crown servant and then as a committed security professional for over 30 years, recently retiring as Chairman as the Association of Security Consultants (ASC).
Judges commented that Joe’s impact was felt across many areas of security and security association partnerships and has a strong influence internationally and they stated that Joe’s ability to instantly understand his audience, assess situations, and facilitate development of security solutions were some of the many qualities noted by them.
Security industry’s outstanding people, companies, and initiatives
Among the winners was Tom Meredith of Mitie in the category of Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director who commented: “It was a true honour to be nominate and even more so to win, I am so proud to be part of security community and strive to deliver excellence every day.”
Gary Stephen of University of Glasgow was another winner in the category of Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director who said: “I feel very proud to win such a prestigious award at an event that is attended by the best security professionals from around the UK. It is an honour to be shortlisted and to have won was very special.”
The full list of UK OSPAs Award Winners 2023
Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director – sponsored by Bidvest Noonan
Gary Stephen – University of Glasgow
Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director
Tom Meredith – Mitie
Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer – sponsored by International Security Expo/The Security Event
Gallagher
Outstanding Security Team – sponsored by Trackforce Valiant & TrackTik
London Bridge City Security Team – CIS Security
Outstanding Security Consultant – sponsored by CIS
Jonathan Eddery – MAST
Outstanding Customer Service Initiative – sponsored by Danhouse Security
‘Safe Strides’ Initiative – CIS Security/London Bridge City|
Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator – sponsored by NSI
SecuriGroup Systems
Outstanding Event Security Team
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Stewarding Team – FGH Security
Outstanding Security Training Initiative – sponsored by BSIA
TITAN – MOONHUB and Corps Security
Outstanding New Security Product
Safe Haven App – Croma Vigilant
Outstanding Security Partnership – sponsored by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives
Darren Conway – Lodge Service, Iona Blake – Boots and the National Business Crime Centre
Outstanding Security Officer – sponsored by Corps Security
Barry Roberts – CIS Security Limited
Outstanding Young Security Professional – sponsored by Zinc Systems
Arran Perry – FGH Security
Outstanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative – sponsored by Assist Group and supported by Sycom
STM Group (UK)
Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) – sponsored by Team Software by WorkWave
CIS Security
Outstanding Security Sustainability Award – sponsored by KeolisAmey Docklands
Bristol Zoological Society and KIS Fire & Security
Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by The Security Institute
Joe Connell
