Senior leadership promotions announced by guarding business SSGC

SSGC – one of many security guarding companies providing vital services to keep the country running during the COVID-19 pandemic – has now appointed a new CEO and managing director following a year of huge growth. David Stubbs is appointed to the newly-created position of CEO of both SSGC and WLTS (a new offshoot firm which delivers temporary labour and recruitment services to businesses), while the business has promoted Demelza Staples to the role of managing director of SSGC. Staples formerly served as operations director.

SSGC has grown from a £1.5 million annual turnover business in 2014 to reach a current turnover of more than £100 million. Both appointments are part of its plan to continue growing as the country navigates its way out of the pandemic.

Last year, the Armed Forces Covenant signatory deployed more than 4,000 members of staff to marshal COVID-19 Testing Centres across the UK, many of whom were military veterans. It has since expanded to provide lateral flow testing support for schools across the UK and launched the aforementioned WLTS business, which has already secured a £40 million contract to provide personnel to Comensura (the business that speclialises in managing supplies of temporary, permanent and contract labour).

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David Stubbs

A former military policeman, Stubbs was a key driver in the management buy-out of SSGC in 2014, while Staples is an experienced retail professional specialising in risk, security, loss prevention, operations and Human Resources.

Continuing ambition

In conversation with Security Matters, Stubbs explained: “I’m delighted to have guided the business to its current position. The creation of the new CEO role is another sign of the continuing ambition of the business as we look to build a winning senior team which will deliver positive change within the security sector.”

He continued: “It’s critical to the business’ ongoing success that SSGC mirrors the country by forging ahead into a post-pandemic world, building a solution which is fit for the new way of conducting business. I’m heartened by the sizable contract wins over the last couple of months. Hopefully, they’re a sign that we’re doing things the right way. It’s especially pleasing that our social value activity is being embraced by the larger, more evolved corporates. As a business, we will continue to invest in a better living standard for all of our staff and the wider communities in which we operate.”

Further, Stubbs stated: “There are many brands emerging from the growth of SSGC as we maintain our focus on specialisation and meaningful innovation. I’m excited by the challenges and opportunities that the future holds. I would like to congratulate Demelza, who has made a hugely positive impact on our COVID-19 testing-related security solutions delivery. I’m certain that she will prove to be an exceptional leader for the business.”

Challenging and rewarding

Reflecting on her own new role with the business, Demelza Staples said: “It’s amazing to have been involved at a senior level in this business’ rise to the top. Very few of us experience 1,500% year-on-year growth where we work and, while the last year has been challenging, it has been the most rewarding of my life. I’m pleased that the Board has afforded me the managing director’s post.”

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Demelza Staples

Staples went on to comment: “Probably the most exciting part for me is the fact that SSGC has already continued with its winning ways. There are a number of really positive announcements to be made at the start of my journey in the managing director’s chair.”

In conclusion, Staples informed Security Matters: “Through our commitment to the veteran community and the Continuing Professional Development of all our employees, we’ve managed to build a highly-skilled team to support our growth programme. I’m delighted to be taking on the managing director’s role and thank the owners of the business for offering me this fantastic opportunity.”

*Further information is available online at www.ssgc-net.com

Police Crime Prevention Academy supports Home Office with specialist training

The Police Crime Prevention Academy is currently working with the Home Office, providing bespoke training with a focus on crime prevention and designing out crime.

Guy Collyer, head of the Police Crime Prevention Academy, said: “We value the opportunity to assist Home Office staff in gaining a more detailed understanding of this critical work within policing.”

The Home Office is instrumental in protecting the public and keeping people safe, recently launching the second £20 million round of the Safer Streets Fund for Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities to invest in a range of crime prevention measures across high crime areas in England and Wales.

The Police Crime Prevention Academy is part of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, the police-owned, non-profit organisation that works on behalf of the police service throughout the UK, duly delivering a wide range of crime prevention and police demand reduction initiatives.

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Close working links

The Academy maintains close working links with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, as well as senior police officers, and is the established supplier to the police service for crime prevention learning and development.

Not only does the Academy offer a local delivery option that significantly reduces costs, but it also provides the flexibility to dovetail content into Continuing Professional Development and reflect local issues.  

The Police Crime Prevention Academy also delivers several qualifications to the private sector, working closely with local authorities and relevant specialists such as architects and planners, and offers a number of distance and virtual learning qualifications.

The Academy prides itself in keeping the quality of qualifications at a premium and the costs of its service delivery at a minimum.

Abloy UK issues 2021 dates for free online training sessions

Abloy UK has released its Academy calendar outlining the company’s free online training courses to be delivered in 2021. The webinars are going to be presented by specialists and aim to keep practising professionals operating in the sector up-to-date with the Building Regulations and compliance standards, as well as current security and technology trends.

A suite of four courses will be held across the year on specific themes: Escape Door Systems, Electric Locking for Fire and Escape Doors, Digital Transformation in Physical Security and Digital Access Solutions. The latter is a new subject for 2021.

Pat Jefferies, commercial director at Abloy UK, told Security Matters: “Ongoing COVID restrictions mean that in-person training is very difficult. However, this shouldn’t prevent security professionals from striving for self-improvement and ensuring that they always keep up-to-date with the latest Best Practice across the sector.”

The full list of course dates is as follows:

Escape Door Systems: 1 April, 4 June, 5 August, 6 October and 2 December.

Electric Locking for Fire and Escape Doors: 4 March, 6 May, I July, 2 September and 4 November.

Digital Transformation in Physical Security: 11 March, 13 May, 8 July, 9 September and 11 November.

Digital Access Solutions: 22 April, 10 June, 12 August, 14 October and 9 December.

The Electric Locking for Fire and Escape Doors and Digital Transformation in Physical Security online courses are CPD-accredited.

*To register for one or more of the training sessions visit https://bit.ly/3asYtwS

Tavcom Training introduces virtual classroom training courses

Tavcom Training is launching the first in a series of virtual classroom training courses to add to its existing classroom training portfolio. The programme kicks off with two fundamental courses: the BTEC Level 3 course focused on Intruder Alarm System Design and the BTEC Level 3 course concentrating on CCTV System Design and Planning.

Delivered via Zoom through online interactive lectures and workshops and guided by the same expert instructors as the physical classroom courses, learners will have the chance to gain an accredited certification in a live environment without having to travel.

Andrew Saywell, business development manager for Tavcom Training, informed Security Matters: “We understand that a lot of our learners come to us for the high standard of training we deliver here at Tavcom. We wanted to find a way in which to provide that high standard of classroom learning to the many individuals who cannot travel at present. Our new virtual classroom courses are a solution to this problem. Delivered by and in partnership with our lead tutors, they’re fully interactive and designed to provide practising professionals with the necessary skills required to carry out the key elements of their role.”

Saywell continued: “The launch of our accredited virtual training courses is just one element in a series of developments that we’re implementing in order to increase the accessibility of Tavcom Training courses to learners on a global footing. Now more than ever, it’s easier for security professionals to gain a worldwide recognised qualification.”

Not only will learners be able to interact with other members of their class and ask questions as they would in a normal classroom situation, but they can also expect to receive all of the typical benefits of traditional face-to-face training including full tutor support, training resources and protected soft copies of the learning material distributed prior to course commencement.

Essential course

The BTEC Level 3 in Intruder Alarm System Design is the first course in the portfolio to be delivered virtually. This is an essential course for technical specifiers, sales engineers and consultants who wish to work lawfully within the new legislative guidelines and determine the risk assessment of each installation on which they’re working.

Learners on the course will be taught the skills required to carry out risk assessments and surveys in accordance with current British Standards and their European equivalents in combination with design and planning exercises that will introduce all of the necessary new grading requirements.

The Intruder Alarm System Design course is scheduled to take place virtually on 15-17 February and will cover the following core topics: completing security risk assessments, an overview of detection devices, control and indicating equipment, signalling devices and considerations, the planning and design of systems, European Standards, insurance requirements, alarm verification techniques, equipment grading criteria, producing system proposals and information on how to conduct practical site surveys.

Learners can expect to undertake focused morning and afternoon sessions interspersed with project work requiring a level of independent research.

Designing CCTV

The CCTV System Design and Planning BTEC Level 3 course is designed for all those who have the task of designing and planning small or large CCTV systems while ensuring compliance with the latest international standards. This course will provide learners with the experience and knowledge necessary to offer solutions for a variety of clients’ CCTV requirements.

The course will be of particular interest to specifiers, consultants, sales personnel and CCTV system project managers.

It’s scheduled to take place virtually between 15-18 March. Throughout the course, learners can expect to cover the following core topics: an overview of CCTV technologies and products, developing an Operational Requirement, risk assessments and site surveys, CCTV system design and product selection, effective lighting for CCTV applications, legislation, industry standards and Codes of Practice, system planning (costing, installation, commissioning and maintenance), system documentation (specification, drawings, commissioning and handover), writing system proposals and, last but not least, the tender process (with a keen focus on pre/post tender meetings and presentations).

High standard of learning

Kevin Matthew, operations director for Tavcom Training, explained: “Delivery in a live virtual classroom has many of the benefits of face-to-face learning without the inconvenience of travel. This is a very important consideration for those whose need for accredited and quality training hasn’t changed, even if their ability to join a classroom course has due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

Matthew continued: “Learners will participate in the same way that they would in the classroom, interacting with each other and the qualified course tutor, as well as receiving the high standard of learning and support associated with Tavcom Training’s courses.”

In conclusion, Matthew observed: “This is just the start of a series of virtual classroom courses that we’re looking to develop in order to meet the ever-changing needs of security industry professionals.”

*Course prices start from £395 (excluding VAT). This includes a formal BTEC accreditation. Upon completion of the course, learners will also receive formal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. **Further information is available online at https://www.tavcom.com/

NSI launches e-Learning course on BS 7858:2019 for security screening

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the launch of a new eLearning course designed to help NSI-approved companies understand and apply the requirements of the revised Code of Practice BS 7858:2019 which focuses on the Screening of Individuals Working in a Secure Environment.

This introductory course is available to all who wish to enrol, but is particularly useful for screening administrators and controllers. Accredited by The Security Institute’s Continuing Professional Development scheme, the course includes guidance on information and documentation requirements, relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, the difference between personal opinion and fact and, importantly, the implications of non-compliance.

Upon completion of the course, learners will understand the reasons for screening, be able to assist in developing an effective screening process and also understand how to apply the requirements in practice. Each learner will receive a personalised Certificate of Completion.

Split into four parts, the eLearning course takes approximately two hours to complete. Learners may log in and out as many times as they wish, saving their progress to date each time.

Max Linnemann

Max Linnemann, head of certification services at the NSI, said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer this new eLearning course to our approved companies. The NSI is committed to helping companies keep on top of standards developments and widening their access to training. Our new eLearning course provides a cost-effective and convenient way of understanding the latest requirements of BS 7858:2019, which NSI-approved companies in the security systems and guarding services sectors need to be aware of.”

*Those who would like to find out more information about the course, pricing and how to enrol should contact Maxine Dent (training, facilities and events co-ordinator) by e-mail at maxine.dent@nsi.org.uk

ASSA ABLOY UK relaunches Foundations Plus training course for security professionals

Access control solutions specialist ASSA ABLOY UK has relaunched its popular Foundations Plus course, which covers minimum performance standards, Dynamic Lockdown and the Construction Products Regulation.

The Foundations training course covers the majority of standards applicable to doorsets – from hinges through to door selectors – and helps delegates to understand the needs of a door, from its location within the building to the purpose the door must fulfil.

The Foundations Plus course represents an advanced add-on to the basic Foundations course, going one step further in educating delegates on industry terminology. This provides attendees with the knowledge to specify products that are suitable for both the application and door type.

The course covers the locking and escape requirements for access control electric locking in both retrofit and new build applications, in turn ensuring a safe and secure solution. Enrolment on the Foundations Plus course is subject to having successfully completed the Foundations course.

Pat Jefferies, commercial director at ASSA ABLOY UK, said: “The first relaunched Foundations Plus course was successfully hosted at ASSA ABLOY UK’S headquarters on Friday 23 February, with a full house of customers and specifiers. The course uses the theory and knowledge gained from the basic Foundations course to ensure the correct specification of compliant electric locking solutions for access control doors. It provides an excellent link from the Foundations course to our more advanced training modules such as Electric Locking.”

Jefferies added: “Foundations and Foundations Plus can both be used to gain valuable Continuing Professional Development points, so we encourage anyone involved in the specification of doors and access control solutions, whether they’re an installer, a security manager, an end user or specifier, to be involved.”

*Foundations Plus course dates for 2018 are Friday 25 May, Friday 27 July and Friday 19 October. For further information or to book a place on one of the courses, visit www.abloy.co.uk/academy, call 01902 364 500 or e-mail: academy@abloy.co.uk

C-TEC to showcase CAST addressable fire alarm system at The Fire Safety Event

C-TEC is exhibiting at The Fire Safety Event. Featuring free-to-attend CPD-accredited fire safety seminars, 30 exhibitors and the fire industry’s latest innovations, the show will be held at Birmingham’s NEC from 10-12 April.

On Stand FS34, C-TEC will be showcasing its new CAST addressable fire alarm system, the new EN54-23 certified high-performance visual alarm devices and its Hush Button fire solution for flats, apartments and houses of multiple occupation.

Andy Green, C-TEC’s marketing manager, said: “We’re delighted to be heading back to the NEC due to its sheer accessibility and attractiveness to professionals from all over the UK. We’re certainly looking forward to an action-packed show. We’ll be hosting live demonstrations of our new CAST fire alarm system and also presenting a seminar on the legal issues relating to visual alarm devices in the Fire and Evacuation Theatre.”

*To register visit http://www.firesafetyevents.com/fire-safety-event

TDSi’s Ian Hoare gains Master’s degree from Bournemouth University

Integrated security manufacturer TDSi has announced that its software analyst and developer Ian Hoare has graduated with a Master’s degree in Cyber Security and Human Factors from Bournemouth University. Hoare’s qualification demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to research, education and training.

TDSi’s managing director John Davies commented: “We’re very proud that Ian has earned his Master’s degree, having worked extremely hard to study alongside his role at TDSi. As a company, we champion education and training as it benefits not only the person and the business, but also the security industry as a whole.”

Hoare elaborated on the significance of his new degree for his role at TDSi. “This new qualification demonstrates that I’m up-to-date with the very latest advances in cloud computing and online security. The TDSi team is always at the forefront of secure software for the modern world, but we’re keen to illustrate this with Continuing Professional Development, giving additional confidence to our customers that all has been done to secure their data.”

Ian Hoare of TDSi

As part of his graduation process, Hoare produced a dissertation that examines the secure development life-cycle and how it can fit into the agile development process. He commented: “The Agile development process doesn’t allow for any security processes. There’s an argument that it shouldn’t, as it’s an overhead of the initial development.”

Hoare concluded: “However, it’s important to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities within the system, as the financial costs are far greater if vulnerabilities are found after the product is released. This is even more important with the EU’s looming General Data Protection Regulation, which comes into force in May next year.”

Hoare’s Master’s in Cyber Security and Human Factors is just part of an ongoing process of training and research. He concluded: “The cloud environment is continuously changing, with new threats evolving. It’s vital to use this knowledge now and to continuously keep this learning and information updated as technology and security needs evolve.”

C-TEC to host live CPD-certified webinar entitled ‘Hush Those False Alarms’

With fire protection in flats, apartments and HMOs making the news for all the wrong reasons, C-TEC’s ‘Hush Those False Alarms’ webinar goes live at 11.00 am on 22 November. The Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-certified session is a perfect opportunity to become clued up on the current solutions available for reducing false alarms in HMOs and other areas by using mixed, conventional and hush systems.

The webinar will also explore how C-TEC’s BS 5839-6 Hush Button fire alarm solution is assisting landlords and building managers in better protecting their properties, while at the same time ensuring compliance with all of the relevant regulations and standards.

Andy Green, C-TEC’s marketing manager and one of the webinar’s hosts, informed Risk UK: “This CPD-certified event is an absolute ‘must’ for anyone who would like to know more about reducing false alarms and enhancing fire detection in houses of multiple occupation. We’ll also be hosting a live 20-minute Q&A at the end of the session.”

*To register access this link: http://www.workcast.com/register?cpak=5778363449402747&referrer=WCTEC

Abloy UK introduces RIBA-approved CPD

Abloy UK has released a new RIBA-approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course covering all aspects of electric locking for fire and/or escape door applications.

Fire and escape standards have been developed first and foremost to preserve lives, allow emergency escape and prevent the spread of fire and smoke in dangerous and potentially life-threatening situations.

These standards mean that managers of buildings are legally obliged to adhere to Building Regulations when it comes to access control, for example by protecting escape routes and allowing for the safe egress of a building’s occupants in the event of an emergency situation.

Abloy’s CPD covers traditional requirements for escape and panic doors. For example when a door is electronically controlled for access, there must be a mechanical means of escape in the event of an emergency.

The new additions to escape door standards clarify what is and what isn’t acceptable as an escape door solution. Simply, any door that has a fire exit requirement must be fitted with fire-tested products, making sure the route to escape is never compromised.

The course also covers ‘Dynamic Lockdown’ which essentially enables escape for the occupants of a building and prevents unauthorised access to areas by compartmentalising zones in buildings, potentially saving lives in threatening situations.

The CPD is recommended for anyone directly responsible for specifying and installing fire and escape doors or related equipment and is available at the Abloy Academy, which is based at Abloy UK’s head office. By arrangement, the CPD can also be presented to local groups throughout the UK.

*For additional details telephone 01902 364543 or send an e-mail to: marketing@abloy.co.uk

**To book the Abloy Foundations course online go to: www.abloy.co.uk/academy