First Response Group (FRG) - Experts & Thought Leaders

The 25th annual Security & Fire Excellence Awards took center stage at the prestigious JW Marriott Grosvenor House, in London, UK, on Monday, 2nd December, 2024. The event recognized the outstanding achievements of professionals and organizations in the UK security and fire sectors, with a strong showing from NSI-certified companies among the winners and finalists. With an emphasis on innovation, inclusion and sustainability, this milestone year for the Awards continued to set a benchmark for celebrating the exceptional contributions and inspiring efforts of those in the private security sector who tirelessly work to help keep the communities safe. Winners and finalists The event's credibility is underscored by the Awards Trust Mark, presented by The Independent Awards Standards Council. This recognition reinforces the rigorous and transparent judging process that underpins the event’s reputation. They extend warm congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists, including the 33 NSI-certified companies who, with 76 nominations between them, were celebrated for their excellence, with 15 taking home the top prizes: Industry Choice Security Guarding Company SecuriGroup (Winner) Vigilant Security (2nd) First Response Group (4th) Security Manager of the Year Alex Philiotis, Security Manager, Wembley National Stadium, First Response Group (Winner) Nitu Kashap, NWEC Contract Manager, FGH Security (Silver) Antonio Da Silva, Security Manager, Vigilant Security (Bronze) Security Customer Care Initiative of the Year Ansador Fire & Security Solutions (Silver) Security Guarding Company of the Year over £35m Turnover SecuriGroup (Winner) First Response Group (Bronze) Security Guarding Company of the Year under £35m Turnover Unitrust Protection Services (UK) (Winner) FGH Security (Bronze) Security Installer or Integrator of the Year Securitas Technology (Winner) Reliance High-Tech (Silver) Security Officer of the Year Kyara Hughes, Security Officer, FGH Security (Silver) Michael Chew, St James Quarter, Edinburgh – Vigilant Security (Bronze) Security or Fire Sustainability Champion Magenta Security Services (Winner) SecuriGroup (Silver) Security or Fire Best Company to Work For FGH Security (Winner) Security or Fire Diversity and Inclusion Champion First Response Group (Winner) Corps Security (Silver) Security or Fire ESG Initiative of the Year Pointer (Winner) STM Group with UK Supplier Only Initiative (Silver) Security Partnering Initiative of the Year FGH Security and New West End Company (Silver) SecuriGroup with The W12 Security Intelligence Forum (Bronze) Vigilant Security and Colliers Safe Haven Partnership (Bronze) Security Training Initiative of the Year Spy Alarms with The Spy Academy (Winner) Wilson James @Meta (Bronze) Security Software Product or Software as a Service Innovation of the Year The Keyholding Company with the Risk Management Tool (Winner) Security Project of the Year The Keyholding Company with a Radical New Take on Risk Management (Silver) Security & Fire Excellence Awards NSI Chief Executive - Richard Fogelman praised this year’s winners and finalists, stating: "Congratulations to all this year’s award recipients, particularly those NSI-certified companies whose dedication and expertise are instrumental in keeping people, property, and communities safe across the UK." He adds, "The Security & Fire Excellence Awards remind us of the exceptional talent, innovation and commitment that drive excellence within the private security sector."

In the month that the world marks World Suicide Prevention Day, which is hosted on 10 September, one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent security groups, First Response Group (FRG), has joined the Security Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide (SCPS). Founded three years ago, SCPS is a network of security groups and people in both the public and private sectors working in collaboration to prevent suicide, with a particular focus on those working in the security profession which suffers one of the highest percentages of occupational stress. FRG’s commitment FRG’s commitment to working alongside others in the security sector to reduce the causes of suicide In fact, security is the third highest industry in the UK impacted by suicide, according to research conducted by the Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide. Barry Dawson, who joined FRG as its group managing director earlier this year, strongly supports FRG’s commitment to working alongside others in the security sector to reduce the causes of suicide through sector-wide collaboration. He said: “I have been in this industry a long time, 35 years in fact, and have long been aware of the problem faced by many security officers in dealing with stress associated with rigors many of them face daily in protecting people and assets. The SCPS is an excellent platform for educating and sharing knowledge. In my view, every security company needs to get behind this.” Health and wellbeing services According to research led by Dr. Risto Talas and Professor Mark Button, professor of criminology in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, a staggering 40% of security officers display some symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). On publishing his findings, Professor Button said: “The research has revealed a worrying lack of support provided by the security companies. This must change and more research is required on what the security industry as a whole must do to address this issue before it becomes a larger societal issue, with added pressure on the limited mental health and wellbeing services provided by the NHS.” Unlock innovation and resources FRG is committed, alongside the other security fellows and partners, to unlock innovation and resources The consortium is guided by a panel that includes representatives from the National Police Chiefs Council Suicide Prevention Group, City of London Police, The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals and the Samaritans. FRG is committed, alongside the other security partners and members, to unlock innovation and resources in the corporate world, and bring together partners in the public and voluntary sectors to tackle the epidemic of suicide. Effective outcomes Commenting on the group’s backing of the Consortium, CEO of FRG Simon Alderson said: “Many security professionals will struggle with mental health problems. It’s crucial that the industry grasps this and puts in place the measures to identify all the warning signs and prevent avoidable personal tragedy." “It is also important to recognize that Security officers are often first responders when someone is in crisis, including those at risk of suicide. Ensuring security professionals have the right tools and training empowers them to respond effectively and ultimately contribute to safer, more effective outcomes in crisis situations.” British Business Excellence Awards FRG, headquartered in Leeds, employs a workforce of some 2,000 professionals and in the past year has won awards at the industry’s Security & Fire Excellence Awards, Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), Security and Safety Entrepreneurial Awards and the ACS Pacesetter’s Security Officer of Distinction Awards. The company has recently been shortlisted for two Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards.

The senior leadership team at the national, multi-award-winning First Response Group (FRG) has been further boosted by the appointment of Barry Dawson as Group Managing Director, bringing with him 35 years of experience at the highest levels of the UK security industry. Taking up his new position on April 2 (2024), Dawson is described by the Group’s CEO, Simon Alderson as ‘the final piece of the jigsaw’ needed for FRG to achieve the company’s ambitious growth targets of £150 million over the next five years.  Barry Dawson Barry Dawson’s security industry experience includes being at the helm of Advance Barry Dawson’s security industry experience includes being at the helm of Advance, Vision Security Group (VSG), and most recently Wilson James, As its Managing Director, he successfully built up the business through a combination of organic growth in strategic sectors and carefully targeted mergers and acquisitions. In addition to a track record in driving sales growth, Dawson has led teams across many business disciplines, including crisis management, operations management, private investigations, systems, and emergency risk management, with senior c-suite experience in some of the most respected blue-chip companies in the UK. CEO's comment Commenting on the appointment, CEO Simon Alderson, said, “This is a significant move for us here at FRG, and no doubt the ripples will be felt across the UK security sector." He adds, “Barry is an industry heavyweight, and with more than three decades of knowledge, experience, and insight I have absolutely no doubt he is the perfect fit to help drive our business forward, continuing the momentum over these past few years." weight and intelligence Simon Alderson continues, "We are adding weight and intelligence in the key areas of our business, which is what we need to be doing if we are to continue to challenge accepted orthodoxy in this highly competitive sector." He states, “I look forward to working with Barry, and helping him to build teams, empower people, and deliver success.” security solutions Barry Dawson said, “For me, everything evolves around people, they are a company’s greatest asset. From the top down at FRG it is highly evident that this is where success is built, and it was instantly appealing to me." He adds, “This is a great company that is fast building an enviable reputation in delivering security solutions that fit the needs of clients, and I’m looking forward to doing what I can to make that vital difference, and helping us to continue the current trajectory and beyond.” New appointments  The appointment of Barry Dawson isn’t the first high-profile hire in recent months. Mark Mansfield joined the company in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer, followed by Derek Nielson as Group Operations Director. Furthermore, Colette Bloom joins the company’s leadership team as Group Finance Director. FRG, headquartered in Leeds, employs a workforce of some 2,000 professionals and recently won the Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) award at the industry’s Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) in February, following two awards for its work with Wembley Stadium, at the prestigious Security & Fire Excellence Awards in December of last year.