A message from SIA Chair Heather Baily
In these challenging times we take a moment today, International Women’s Day to celebrate the contribution of women in the security industry.
Since taking up my role as Chair of the SIA in 2021, I’ve been privileged to work with a fabulous team of people who include many amazing women. My team is headed by our Chief Executive Michelle Russell and along with her Executive Team and with our Authority members, we’ve been focussed on making sure that the SIA makes the best possible contribution to public safety. This includes some aspects of public space safety, whether that’s from the perspective of counter terrorism, the safety of everyone working in the night-time economy, or just those members of our families and friends going about their everyday lives. A real concern for us at the moment, is the safety of women and girls outside of their homes and we’re playing our part in creating longer-term solutions to improve women’s safety especially when they are in social settings, such as pubs and clubs.
We also want members of the private security industry to be safe and feel safe. That’s also our contribution to this bigger agenda, and women add a unique and valuable perspective to this. So to all the talented and creative women working in the private security industry today, I say a massive thank you….. know you’re part of a great team! Together we’re creative, understanding, innovative, talented, and kind – amongst a whole host of other personal skills I know you bring in your working lives. Today we celebrate you!! Continue to be fabulous and know that here at the SIA, we recognise your contribution and we’re grateful. To those who are thinking of a career in the private security industry, I feel sure you have something to add to this important and increasingly vital sector.
Today and throughout March we will be shining a light on the stories of women working across the industry. Their stories show the depth and breadth of security, and the positive, active and strong roles women have in it; on the front line, in management, in leadership, in customer service, technology. Each of their stories showcases the richness and positive benefits diversity brings.
So, join us in #CelebratingHerStory. Happy International Women’s Day!
Heather Baily
Chair, Security Industry Authority
“During Covid-19 I was placed to work at a women’s hospital in Birmingham as security presence and Covid-19 screener. One day a man came in shouting that his baby had died. He was clearly distressed. I took him to one side and asked where his wife was. I took him to the delivery suite and calmly spoke to him to calm him down. I told him his wife needed him to be strong and calm to which he hugged me and followed his wife into the room. I went back to post to carry on my job. Not long later, I was called again to the delivery suite. I spoke to the gentleman and told him that he needed to stay calm and be strong for his wife because if he carried on the way he was going, I would be asking him to leave the hospital, which I didn’t want to do. He calmed down and went into the theatre with his wife.
An hour later I was called back to the delivery suite where I was met by the matron who told me the sad news that the baby was still born, and the dad was walking around with the baby and wanted to take the baby back to the ward. I asked the matron for PPE, an apron and gloves and I walked towards the gentleman and asked if I could hold his baby. I treated this baby as if it was alive and rocked and held its hand. I spoke to the gentleman and said let’s take the baby back to mom as it needs to go in the cot. The gentleman calmed right down and followed me to the room.
This brought back some memories as I lost a child to cot death at 4 months old. The midwives at the hospital were amazing support for me through it all. A few weeks later the couple came back to speak to the bereavement midwives and brought me some flowers as a thank you for what I had done.”
Gemma Myring won the Women In Security (WIS)-Frontline award in 2020.
“One day that I will always remember was the Westminster Bridge terror attack. I was in a meeting at Guys hospital when we started to see information coming through about an incident going on at the St Thomas site.
I made my way back to the St Thomas site just as the police cordon was being set up and managed to get through the cordon into the hospital. At this point we had already locked down the site but our staff could see casualties on the bridge and wanted to go and assist. For me, seeing the selfless attitudes of our hospital teams coming together (both clinical and support staff) who were running around sourcing blankets, drinks and snacks along with medical aid bags was a source of inspiration and hope, of what people can do in moments of crisis.”
Jayne Robertson-King is the Head of Security and Site Services at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
“I got my first licence in 2013. At the time I worked for an awarding organisation in quality assurance. I felt it important that I understood all aspects of the training and the industry for me to do my assurance work well. More recently as someone employed by the SIA, I wanted to keep my licence active for similar reasons. Whilst I do not work in the industry full time, I do from time-to-time shadow different roles to help me stay connected with the industry and the challenges faced by those protecting the public as licence holders.
Whilst shadowing at a venue a disgruntled ex-employee became aggressive and assaulted a member of staff. It was clear that they were still very angry. Despite only being there to observe it was clear things needed to be diffused quickly. I stepped in using my conflict management skills whilst another colleague called the Police. My training helped me to stay calm, consider my approach and ensure the situation was resolved as quickly as possible without further aggression. I have used my conflict management training many times. Previously I volunteered at a local prison and regularly used these skills when dealing with prisoners and their complaints.”
Tracey Lilley is the Head of Business Standards at the SIA. She also holds a front line licence.
“I was working at a busy event when towards the end of the event I received a message to evacuate and close an area due to an incident. Upon arrival in the area, it was clear that a young man had sustained life-threatening injuries. We were presented with a significant challenge of evacuating thousands of people who were having a good time under the influence of alcohol. And who were completely unaware of the sad events and balancing that challenge with supporting staff who had witnessed the accident. Teamwork, good communication and mutual respect is what helped us overcome this challenge. At the forefront of our minds was to allow the emergency services the space and time to work and to give this young man the privacy and dignity that he deserved. It was a tough day, but a strangely rewarding day, knowing that we had supported others at a critical time.”
Sarah Hill is the Managing Director of Constant Security Services. She also holds a front line licence.
“The time that stands out for me is the early days of lockdown (March 2020). The realisation, that for the first time in our company’s history, we were going to have to close the office and operate the business from home, initially felt overwhelming. The uncertainty of the way forward was one of the most frustrating things for me.
However, resilience kicks in under such circumstances, and I began to approach the situation in a pragmatic way, listing out all the considerations, and dealing with them one by one. I think this is the best way to approach a crisis, or anything that you feel is overwhelming. When big issues are broken down, and the team comes together to find solutions, you find that there is always a way forward. I feel that our team can face any challenge now, and I personally feel more resilient than ever before.”
Angela Bennett is the Joint Managing Director of Diamond Systems, Belfast.
I have worked in the industry for over 20 years, starting my events journey as an Event Steward. Over the years there have been a few occasions where I have felt outside of my comfort zone. One such occasion was when I was operational as a recently appointed supervisor working in the backstage area of a festival. I got a call from one of my team members to attend the production car park area where an individual who had rushed out of the backstage First Aid Tent was smashing their head on car windscreens.
I arrived on the scene to find the individual dripping with blood from head wounds, wandering around cars. I radioed for advice because the person was obviously distressed and showing no sign of calming down. Fortunately, someone from the production team was a trained psychiatric nurse and he recognised the challenge immediately. Long story short, the production representative managed to talk the individual into his vehicle, offering them a safe space, which then allowed our team to manage the situation. We then brought in professional help to support the individual.
Angie Wagstaff is National Events Training Manager at G4S
16 years ago I gave birth to premature twins. This was probably the most challenging time of my life. All women who must balance child rearing and full-time work deserve respect and recognition. Having premature twins and your own security company takes it to another level.
Overcoming the challenges associated with negative bias have always been very challenging. There have been numerous clients that do not take a 5-foot-2-inch, petite female seriously as the owner or MD of a security company. I have frequently been in meetings where it is assumed that my male colleague is the ‘boss’. Whilst I am humoured, I feel compelled to overcome this bias by over exceeding expectation and ensuring I change future perceptions.
For over two decades I have maintained the perseverance to fight on, the resolve to pick myself up, dust myself off and continue.
To women in the private security industry, I would say, don’t give up! In a career where you represent a minority of people of any kind; gender, race, disability etc, you are a pioneer, and you can set an easier path for those who follow you. Keep moving forward, break the mould!
Rachel Fleri is the owner and Managing Director of Specialist Security Co Ltd. She currently sits as Vice Chair of the BSIA’s SOS Committee. She also leads SIA’s Regional Network Forum for ACS companies.
A message by SIA Chief Executive, Michelle Russell
Throughout this month we have been celebrating the contribution of women in the private security industry. We have been captivated by their inspiring stories as they have reflected on their role and responsibilities within the industry.
At the SIA we believe the industry should be representative of those it seeks to protect in all its diversity including the 50% of the public who are female. The proportion of female: male licence holders has stayed pretty stable at around 10% for several years. There is more we can all do to show security is truly open to all, that there are opportunities for all and the outdated images of “manned” guards from 20 years ago no longer apply.
A diversified workforce fosters creativity and a fresh approach, the value of all, including women and the perspective and intuition they bring to this industry should not be underestimated.
My deepest gratitude to all the women who came forward and shared their inspiring stories with us this month and my very special thanks to all the women working day in, day out in the industry – you are simply the best! Thank you to everyone who read, liked, shared and commented on our blog and posts, for amplifying these voices and for #CelebratingHerStory with us. We hope to be able to continue to shine the light on more inspiring stories from the industry in the future.
Michelle Russell
Chief Executive, Security Industry Authority
Check out the SIA’s campaign to celebrate women in the private security industry
Tweet
Tweet about our campaign
Follow us on social media