News Updates

For daily updated security news see www.securityoracle.com, www.info4security.com and www.securitypark.co.uk

For the latest news from the SIA see www.the-sia.org.uk/home/about_sia/news/news.htm

7 August 2008

New Deputy International Chairman

Mr Dennis Ricketts has been elected as the new Deputy International Chairman of IPSA at the first meeting of the recently elected International Council. The Chief Exec of IPSA, Justin Bentley, the previous office holder, felt it was no longer appropriate to hold the elected position alongside his current executive role in the Association.

Dennis said about his appointment "I welcome the new role entrusted to me and look forward to further promoting the Association whenever opportunities arise and encouraging others to join us in the pursuit of professionalism in the industry."

Other appointments made at the meeting are:

• Mr Bipin Joshi of Shield Security Services Ltd : Honorary Treasurer and Executive Management Committee member.
• Mr David Barratt of SPS Security Ltd : Executive Management Committee member.
• Mr Simon Smith : International Membership Liaison.

The following persons were re-elected:

• Mr Patrick Somerville : International Chairman
• Mrs Lynn Watts-Plumpkin : Quality Manager

9 July 2008

IPSA and SAFE Launch New Strategic Partnership

The International Professional Security Association (IPSA) has today reached agreement with security education specialists, SAFE Ltd, to develop a new strategic alliance to develop a support framework for trainers and co-operate on educational developments in the security industry. At the heart of the initiative is an agreement to develop a specialist grouping for trainers and an agreement to co-operate on new educational initiatives in the sector. IPSA will also recommend SAFE learning materials and courses with SAFE providing a discount to IPSA members.

Welcoming the agreement Justin Bentley, Chief Executive Officer at IPSA said ‘For many years, IPSA has been a significant name in security education. The agreement with SAFE enables IPSA to work closely with a current leader in industry education, in the further development of the Association’s strategy for education and training. The opportunity for IPSA members to benefit from discounts on the high quality products and services offered by SAFE, adds yet another element to IPSA as we continue to strengthen our services to members’.

Responding, Raymond Clarke, Managing Director of SAFE said, ‘I am hugely encouraged by the decision of IPSA to provide representative arrangements for security trainers. This initiative is long overdue and I applaud IPSA for taking a lead on this issue. We look forward to playing our part in making this exciting initiative a major success and indeed co-operating with IPSA on a range of other initiatives in security education’.

Ray Clarke, MD of SAFE, and Justin Bentley, CEO of IPSA

3 July 2008

IPSA announces new International Council

A new International Council was elected at the AGM last Friday (half the members have not previously served on the Council). This follows the change in the Constitution which has the Council members elected at the AGM.

The International Council is:

David Barratt (SPS Security Ltd) - Company member
Justin Bentley - IPSA CEO
Basil Bland - Individual member
Roger Felgate - Individual member
Bipin Joshi (Shield Security Ltd) - Company member
Paul Macarthur (Global World Services Ltd) - Company member
Stuart Naisbett - Individual member
Dennis Ricketts (Spectrum Positive Identity & Training Ltd) - Company member
Simon Smith - Individual member
Patrick Somerville - Individual member and current International Chairman
Lynn Watts-Plumpkin - Individual member
Paul Wiggins - Individual member
Bruce Woodcock - Individual member

Stuart Naisbett, who continues to represent membership on the International Council, said "Exciting times are ahead for the industry, with more sectors falling under the SIA for licensing and with IPSA being one of the oldest associations representing the industry we have the opportunity to further influence how this is implemented"

Simon Smith, who is newly elected to the International Council, said "This is the best jubilee event the Association's members can wish for. We've done a lot, come a long way, achieved much. Today we send a clear message. We build on our achievements but we haven't reached our peak. We are confident of our history, but prepared to shape our structure and change for the future. We warmly embrace tomorrow's challenges as we dealt with yesterday's. We are here, we remain ready and able to meet the day. We are the international association for security professionals. It's what we do. There's no other way."

2 July 2008

IPSA recognises the professionalism of its members

At the Annual General meeting of IPSA last week the membership agreed a new policy allowing individual members to use post-nominal letters to indicate their membership. The IPSA Chief Executive Officer, Justin Bentley, explained "IPSA has always had a policy of being open to all persons working in the security industry, this meant previously that there was no entry qualification other than being of good character and involved with security. Changes over recent years has meant that Security Officers now have to have a Level Two qualification, and this is leading to the security industry being one of the most professional industries in the country - very few industries require everybody to have a qualification. The Association recognises this, with members now able to use 'MIPSA' after their name to indicate their membership of a professional security body"

Other post-nominal letters to be used are -
AIPSA - Associated Members of IPSA - persons not directly working in security, but with a professional interest, including members of the police, armed forces, community wardens, etc.
FIPSA - Fellow of IPSA - usually an experienced security professional and long term member of the Association
HonFIPSA - Awarded to distinguished members of the Association, recognising outstanding service to the industry or the Association.

26 June 2008

Transformation at the International Professional Security Association

Changes to the IPSA Constitution have been approved by members this week, leading to some changes in the governance of the Association.

The International Council, which is the supervisory board of members directing the Association, will now be elected directly from the membership, as opposed to the previous method of electing one representative from each region. The new method ensures a mixture of individual and company members, whilst safeguards still require the Council to include a variety of regional members. With communication to the members being sent directly from the Association office, rather than disseminated via regional meetings, this will mean that the International Council can continue to function as a meaningful body.

The revised constitution has also been a chance to reinforce the business practices adopted by the Association in recent years, to transform IPSA in to a more representative body, assisting members through current challenges. As part of the changes in the document, the title of the person in charge of the daily running of IPSA has been updated from the "Association Secretary" to the "Chief Executive Officer" to reflect the title used in most businesses.

The newly re-titled Chief Executive of IPSA, Justin Bentley, said, "I wish to thank the members for this unanimous vote approving the changes. A new International Council will be elected at the Association AGM taking place later this week and we will be using this opportunity to also launch new initiatives for members. The Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and these changes into a new era of revitalised activity."

18 March 2008

Visit IPSA at IFSEC 2008

IPSA will be exhibiting at IFSEC 2008 on stand 445 in the Security Guarding & Support Services product area.

Now in its third year, the Security Guarding & Support Services area promises to be even bigger and better as a result of its new location in Hall 7, one of the busiest halls at the NEC and will co-locate directly with The Facilities Show.

IFSEC 2008 will also feature a packed seminar programme and a new strategic conference aimed at all professionals concerned with security. Expert speakers confirmed include representatives from the Metropolitan Police, Huntingdon Life Sciences, G4S Cash Services, JP Morgan, London Underground and Essex Police. Sessions will focus on real-life applications of effective security techniques across retail, banking, transport and other sectors. Speakers will be presenting real-life case studies, innovative advances in technology and updates on the latest standards and legislation.

IFSEC 2008 adjoins The Facilities Show and Safety & Health Expo, taking place from 12/13-15 May 2008 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. For more information on the event and to register for free entry, please visit www.ifsec.co.uk/securityguarding.

8 February 2008

The Red Book Security Industry Directory 2008

This year JSIC/IPSA will again publish the Red Book directory and yearbook which will be distributed not only to our members but also to a database of named contacts operating within blue chip organisations across the UK.

We have appointed specialist publisher Ten Alps Publishing to undertake the project management and production of this unique resource. The Directory in the now popular A5 format is a primary reference manual for the industry and its clients as well as serving the needs of the membership bodies of JSIC.

The aim is to produce the directory in time for distribution at IFSEC 2008 in May.

This is a valuable opportunity for IPSA companies and others to promote their products and services to an influential and global market in an extremely useful and targeted publication. To advertise in the Red Book, please contact Ten Alps Publishing (tel. 01625 613 000) for more details.

15 June 2007

Event: ASIAN Critical Site Security

 * 11 – 13 September 2007   * Organized by the Asia Business Forum
* Grand Copthrone Waterfront Hotel, Singapore 

This unique event will bring innovative ideas on the protection of critical sites in Asia.

Too many events focus on Homeland Security and perceived international terrorist threats without passing any practical tools and ideas to those who are actually responsible for the protection of critical sites.

From stadiums to museums to oil & gas installations to banks this high level conference will enables Heads Of Security to make genuine changes in their security plans based on new intelligence and operations.

An international team of security practitioners from 14 different countries will provide you with genuine ideas & practical and effective solutions on site security. This line up of speakers has not been assembled before and is a unique gathering of leading minds.

Learn the latest information on key security issues affecting your business today, such as crisis management, surveillance tactics, security plan & measures, terrorism, threats, safety and security strategies. 

For more information, download the program/ registration form here,

please click  http://www.abf-asia.com/project/3003SC_IPSA.pdf

4 May 2007

Mr Adil Hadi, Managing Director, Shield Security of Farnborough, Kent, met with representatives of the Dubai Police Academy at the Cumberland Hotel on Friday 5th May 2007 for the formal signing of an agreement for the delivery of training and other services through the Academy for the private security sector in Dubai.

Lt.Col.Ahmed Mohammed Rafi , Director of the Security and Admin Science Institute accompanied Brig. Dr Mohammed Ahmed Bin Fahad, Director of the Dubai Police Academy and Associate Professor of Economics, who formally signed the agreement on behalf of the Academy.

Present at the ceremony were representatives of several industry associations and security companies, some of which have already been involved in training and other initiatives in Dubai.

Mr Hadi welcomed the visitors and paid tribute to the Academy which had been in negotiation with Shield, IPSA, and other parties in determining a way forward to improve the security industry in Dubai. The agreement marked a milestone in bring these arrangements to fruition and to the forward development of quality training and standards in the security sector.

Dr Fahad said that the Academy sought to work closely with the Associations and other bodies in UK to ensure that the courses and training offered by the Academy were accredited and comparable to qualifications obtainable in UK and elsewhere. He thanked all those concerned in bringing new qualifications and standards to the local industry and looked towards a long period of continuing cooperation and development.

In a parallel ceremony Palgrave Macmillan Publishers signed an agreement for the publication and distribution of security and other publications in Dubai in partnership with the Academy.

17 January 2007

More costs for businesses

The following message was sent out earlier today to IPSA members. One company has already responded estimating that this could cost his business £55,000. The Association urges all businesses to consider the implications and to act whilst they still have the opportunity.

Email sent to IPSA members:

Recently there have been emails circulating from some normally reliable sources stating that the DTI has announced an increase in legislative holiday entitlement from 20 days (4 weeks) to 28 days in order to cover bank holidays.

IPSA has researched this matter and it is currently a proposal not finalised. There is a consultation period and opportunity for companies to respond. The outcome is likely to affect many security companies, as due to market forces and low profit margins many Security Officers receive minimal benefits. In principal most people would like to see Security Officers receiving better rates of pay and more benefits, however somebody must fund this and most clients still have a lowest quote mentality when it comes to security.

I urge you to take a look at the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/page36462.html and respond as you consider appropriate.

It is likely however that the people who make the final decision (usually people on protected incomes and plenty of benefits) will force this through, so start looking at contracts of employment, client contracts, etc. and do what you can to protect your company.

Individual members will probably have a different opinion than their employer. Individuals may also want to respond to the government by some method, I suggest contacting your local MP. Also enter into discussion with your employer - try to work together on solutions. For companies already driven to minimal profit, legislation adding an extra 3-4% to the wages bill could drive a company to bankruptcy and put individuals out of work.

Justin P. Bentley
Deputy International Chairman