British Security Industry Association (Fire and Rescue) - Experts & Thought Leaders

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has appointed Martin Watson as its new Chair at the Association’s Spring Forum and Annual General Meeting. With a background in fire, security and engineering spanning 40 years, Martin is currently Industry Laison Director for BSIA members - Mitie Fire & Security Systems; he is also the Chair of the Fire Industry Association (FIA), and until recently, was Chair of the Association’s Security Systems section. BSIA’s New Chairman Martin Watson will take over the role from Simon Banks, who was appointed Chair in July 2018, overseeing significant changes over a six-year period. Simon departs as the BSIA’s longest serving Chairman in its 57-year history. Simon departs as the BSIA’s longest serving Chairman in its 57-year history Mike Reddington, Chief Executive, BSIA, said: "On behalf of the BSIA and its members, I would like to thank our outgoing Chair Simon Banks for his guidance, support and work over the last six years as we addressed many issues the BSIA were facing, and I am delighted with the progress we have made during this time in addressing those issues and truly establishing the BSIA as the recognized voice of the professional security industry." He adds, "We look forward to working with our new Chairman Martin Watson as we build on the strong foundations, we have built over the last six years and we further progress the BSIA in shaping and developing the Professional Security Industry on behalf of our members and the wider industry." Simon Banks' Achievements at BSIA Simon Banks, outgoing Chair, BSIA, said: “I am pleased to see the many achievements at BSIA over the last six years. Recent robust finances have allowed us to form the Special Project Fund that has invested £400k directly to Member Companies for their nominated projects and good causes. All profits from BSIA’s part-stake in Skills for Security (SfS) feed directly into this fund." He adds, "SfS has also transformed from a £300K loss in 2018 to a profitable enterprise with 85 staff, delivering essential skills to our sector with 1000 apprentices live on program. I remain as Executive Chairman for Skills for Security and am excited to continue our growth with the talented team we’ve built." Simon Banks continues, "In parting from the BSIA, I would like to thank the dedicated team for their efforts; I was a reluctant Chairman, turning down the role twice before getting onboard and changing out the CEOs of both Skills for Security and BSIA, both companies were suffering extreme financial turbulence. I wish everyone well and hope to see the association evolve in sync with an ever-changing sector." Opportunities and challenges Martin Watson, Chair, BSIA, said: "I am delighted to be taking over the reigns as Chair of this great Association and want to thank Simon, the BSIA team, the rest of the Board and all our contributing members for all their hard work. It is such important work that our member companies do and the BSIA works hard to provide valuable support to them." He adds, "It is an ever-changing landscape we operate in though, so we still have much to do, and I am looking forward to addressing both the opportunities and challenges our industry faces."

Skills for Security, the UK's fire and security apprenticeship provider announces the appointment of Arevika Stepanian to the Board as a Director of Corporate Relations (Non-Executive), with immediate effect. Responsibilities  As a Director of Corporate Relations at Skills for Security, Arevika will be working with channel partners and media affiliates to increase the support of, and sponsorship of robust skills pipeline for the UK electrotechnical sector, with a focus on fire and security. All companies must be encouraged to support the goal of Skills for Security to provide a sustainable supply of skilled engineers across the sectors so that businesses can prosper and compete, not only in the UK market but strive for world-class competency and quality. Work experience Arevika’s appointment will provide her with a brand-new skill set and create opportunities" Simon Banks, Chairman of Skills for Security, commented on the appointment, “We are pleased to welcome Arevika to the Skills for Security Board. Arevika’s appointment will provide us with a brand new skill set and create opportunities for stakeholder participation with both media partners and corporate sponsorship.”  Arevika is currently a Board Director for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at ASIS International – UK Chapter, which consists of a global network of 34,000 active members. In her day job, she is a Director of Customer Experience for STM Group (UK) Ltd, a Top 30 Infologue security company with over 1,400 employees across the UK. She is also a member of the SyCom Group, and the EDI Charter’s working group, by Women in Rail & the Railway Industry Association, consisting of over 200 member organizations. Improving skillsets Commenting on her appointment, Arevika Stepanian said, “Skills for Security is a forward-thinking company and I am hugely excited by the opportunity to work with the Board to drive the next stage of its growth agenda and build on the successes to date." She adds, "I am deeply passionate about the security industry, the importance of improving the skillsets and supporting the younger generations, and I look forward to contributing my experience and knowledge to benefit Skills for Security and its partners.”

FireQual are proud to support the WorldSkills UK Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition. WorldSkills UK is delighted to launch the new Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition, run in partnership with Skills for Security. As well offering apprentices the chance to boost their skills, they also have the unique possibility of competing at the ‘international skills Olympics’ in France in 2024. Undergoing intensive training The competition, which kicked off in May at the IFSEC/FIREX International Event at London’s ExCel, builds on WorldSkills UK’s Electronic Security Systems Competition, also run with Skills for Security, that was launched in 2019. Competitors who successfully made it through the initial stages were revealed in July Competitors who successfully made it through the initial stages were revealed in July. They will now undergo intensive training ahead of the national final in November held at Barking & Dagenham College. The winners will then be revealed by TV presenter Steph McGovern in a special live show from her Packed Lunch studio at the end of November. The new competition has been designed to boost the number of skilled engineers in the fire industry. Following the Grenfell Tower fire, and law changes arising from recommendations in the Hackitt report, there are new requirements on the person responsible for individual buildings. Competitive timed environment While the fire competition has been running alongside the security competition as part of the industry’s ‘Engineers of Tomorrow’ program, WorldSkills UK and Skills for Security are raising competition standards and bringing it to the national stage. The new competition is backed by organizations FireQual, BAFE Fire Safety Register, the British Security Industry Association and CSL. It will assess an individual’s knowledge, employability and practical skills in a competitive timed environment. WorldSkills UK’s competition-based programs help young people grow personally and professionally by developing their technical and employability skills, as well as shining a light on the amazing skilled potential in the UK.  Personal and employability skills We are delighted to have launched the Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition with Skills for Security" 97 per cent of previous entrants say the program improved their technical skills and 93 per cent said they improved their personal and employability skills. WorldSkills UK Deputy CEO, Ben Blackledge said: “We are delighted to have launched the Fire Detection and Alarm Systems Competition with Skills for Security. New for 2022, the competition will help boost the number of skilled engineers in the industry as it deals with the fallout from the Grenfell Fire tragedy.” Stronger competent workforce “Taking part in WorldSkills UK competitions can be a life-changing experience. Our competition-based programs offer students and apprentices the opportunity to pit their skills against the best of the best in the UK and even on the global stage.” FireQual’s Managing Director, Justin Maltby-Smith said: “The scrutiny of an individual’s competency within the life safety arena has been a major area of focus following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. There is a clear necessity that any individuals entering the market need to be appropriately skilled for the works they will eventually perform unsupervised. FireQual are proud to be a partner of the new World Skills UK fire competition in the interest of developing an overall stronger competent workforce moving forward.”