Jeff Little OBE appointed as advisor to the Board at MITIE Total Security Management

Brigadier (Retd) Jeff Little OBE MBA CGIA FSyI FICPE has been appointed as an advisor to the Board for MITIE Group plc’s Total Security Management business.

For three years from December 2010, Jeff Little served as CEO of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and brings to MITIE Total Security Management (TSM) a vast array of experience in the fields of strategic security, resilience, training, systems and emergency planning.

A distinguished military career resulted in an OBE from Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of Little’s exemplary leadership skills during the third Balkan War which ran from 1991 until 2001.

In this new advisory role, Little will focus on strengthening MITIE’s critical security offering to existing major contractor clients within the defence, nuclear, utilities and data centre sectors.

Jeff Little OBE: strategic advisor to the Board at MITIE TSM

“I’ve always been impressed by MITIE’s security business,” explained Little. “It’s one of the only companies in the UK providing a service that genuinely integrates people, technology and specialist partners. I’m now very much looking forward to assisting the development of MITIE TSM’s offer and taking the MITIE way of thinking forward. Security services have become such an integral part of all businesses, so it’s vital that we continue to offer innovative solutions.”

Bob Forsyth: managing director at MITIE TSM

Bob Forsyth, managing director of MITIE TSM, added: “We’re always looking to add fresh and different perspectives to our strategic thinking and Jeff can provide this alongside his invaluable experience in one of our key sectors, namely critical security environments. Jeff’s contribution will be instrumental as we look to build further on our recent successes.”

CEO Jeff Little OBE set to leave the National Security Inspectorate

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the forthcoming departure of Jeff Little OBE after three years in the role as the organisation’s CEO.

Little joined the NSI in December 2010 having previously worked as business development director for a company specialising in the design and manufacture of components for safety-critical environments.

Prior to this appointment, Little had served a long and distinguished career with the Army and was duly recognised with an OBE for his leadership during the Balkans War.

Jeff Little OBE: set to leave the National Security Inspectorate for a new role in the Middle East

Speaking about the news Chris Hanks, the NSI’s chairman, stated: “The NSI is the UK’s leading specialist certification body. As such, we are at the forefront of rapid changes and opportunities in this sector. The experience and knowledge of our people is coveted, so it’ no surprise that Jeff has been offered an exciting challenge elsewhere and has decided to leave the NSI.”

Hanks continued: “While I am saddened by Jeff’s forthcoming departure after three outstanding years of leadership and building on our market-leading position, the Board recognises this is a great personal opportunity for Jeff and he will leave with our best wishes for the future. The Board would like to place on record our great appreciation for Jeff’s work at the NSI.”

NSI chairman Chris Hanks

Little himself said: “Every so often an opportunity comes along that’s simply too attractive to decline. I will be taking up a venture based in the Middle East which will enable me to leverage the technology and market background I have to very good effect.”

He added: “From a personal and professional viewpoint, I will be sad to leave the NSI but the organisation is in great shape, both in Maidenhead and across the country, and has an outstanding future.”

In the short term, Little will remain with the organisation to assist the Board with its selection of his successor during what will now be a transitional period.

Chris Hanks to succeed Sir Francis Richards as NSI chairman

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the name of its future chairman. Chris Hanks will succeed current chairman Sir Francis Richards with effect from November this year.

Following a detailed series of selection interviews, Chris Hanks has been selected to chair the NSI’s Board. Chris has enjoyed a distinguished career in the insurance sector, his most recent appointment being with Allianz Insurance plc.

Hanks began his career as an underwriter in casualty and property insurance, and soon progressed to be UK manager for NEM Insurance. He became head of business units for AGF Insurance Group before promotions took him to the role of general manager for Allianz Insurance’s commercial operations in the UK. Here, he was tasked with responsibility for the profitability, growth, sales and operation of all commercial and engineering business as a member of Allianz UK’s Management Board.

Chris Hanks: the next chairman of the National Security Inspectorate

Hanks also held the appointments of chairman, Allianz Business Services Ltd and director, Allianz Engineering Ltd. He has served as a Board Committee member for Reinsurance, IT Major Projects, Talent and Risk, as a director at the Chartered Insurance Institute, a Trustee for the Chartered Insurance Institute Pension Fund and chairman at Polaris (UK) Ltd.

A prominent figure within the insurance market, Hanks has been an FSA Approved Person for 15 years and has held executive and representative roles for a number of market bodies (among them the ABI, BIBA, FPA, Polaris and CII). He has a personal passion and commitment around the development of professionalism and talent in industry.

Change and opportunity in the security and fire sectors

On his new appointment at the NSI, Hanks explained: “I’m delighted to be joining the NSI at a time when there is so much change and opportunity in the fire and security sectors. New technology, new regulatory regimes, ever-changing business models and, of course, new standards at the national, European and international levels will set challenges in every area.”

Hanks continued: “I hope that my commercial background and experience within the insurance industry will add significant value to the NSI’s future operations. I also wish to stress the inherent value of sector-specific third party certification to specifiers, procurers, insurers and end users alike. I’m particularly passionate about developing professionalism and talent in industry, and I hope to draw upon my commitment to this during my tenure as chairman of the NSI.”

Jeff Little OBE: CEO at the NSI

Jeff Little, CEO at the NSI, commented: “These are exciting times for the fire and security sectors. The NSI is adapting to the new business reality of the 21st Century. We look forward to welcoming Chris as we move towards a more risk-based, customer friendly NSI while at the same time continuing to strive for improved standards across both sectors.”

Sir Francis Richards KCMG CVO to retire as chairman of the NSI

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced that Sir Francis Richards KCMG CVO will be retiring in November following six years as chairman of the Board.

Sir Francis Richards joined the NSI in May 2007 after a distinguished senior level public service career which included appointments at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar and as director of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) at Cheltenham.

Sir Francis Richards KCMG CVO

Jeff Little OBE, the NSI’s CEO, commented: “It has been a real honour to work for Sir Francis. He has steered the NSI ship with a very firm hand on the tiller. We have moved forward significantly under his direction over the past six years and, as a result, we now have a clear route ahead and a solid platform upon which to grow thanks to his guidance and wisdom.”

Jeff Little OBE: CEO at the NSI

On his forthcoming retirement, Sir Francis stated: “It has been an immense privilege to be with the NSI at a time of huge change in the security and fire sectors. The accelerating pace of technological development has driven a real revolution in security affairs over the past six years, and is transforming the whole shape of the industry. Third party certification is more essential than ever and Standards are becoming ever more numerous, complex and diverse. The NSI has had to become nimbler and more agile without compromising its traditional professional excellence.”

Sir Francis continued: “I have seen the NSI become a more modern and customer-focused organisation, and I’m confident that it will continue to add value and reduce risk for those who make it their partner along the approval route.”

Sir Francis believes that “the industry is in impressive shape” and that “the results speak for themselves”, with crime figures down in most areas and the incidence of fire falling across the country. He added: “New challenges – not least in the cyber area – will keep the industry on its toes.”

In conclusion, Sir Francis commented: “I wish my successor, as well as Jeff and his outstanding team every success in maintaining the NSI’s position as the certification body of choice for the foreseeable future.”

Sir Francis will chair the October Board Meeting of the NSI and formally hand over the reins in early November this year.

An announcement regarding his successor will be forthcoming.

The Fire Safety Company becomes first NSI approved organisation to attain four BAFE registrations

Based in Richmond, North Yorkshire, The Fire Safety Company has attained four BAFE scheme registrations, using the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) as its UKAS accredited certification body.

Currently, the company is the only organisation to have achieved this number of BAFE scheme registrations.

At a presentation at Head Office on 2 August, William Hague – the foreign secretary and local MP – presented presented the organisation with its NSI framed certificates and medals to commemorate this significant achievement.

The most recent registration achieved by The Fire Safety Company is for BAFE’s Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment Scheme (SP205), adding to Fire Detection and Alarms (SP203-1), Emergency Lighting Systems (SP203-4) and Contract Maintenance of Portable Fire Extinguishers (SP101).

Foreign secretary and local MP William Hague presents the certificates of compliance

Sanjay Saggar, managing director of The Fire Safety Company, commented: “Naturally, I’m delighted that we are the first UK fire protection business to achieve this distinction. The accolade truly upholds the hard work the team has put into our company and unmistakably demonstrates our expertise and continual commitment to give our clients the very best in terms of service and quality.”

Saggar continued: “The NSI’s auditing team was firm but fair and very thorough during the auditing process. It wasn’t easy, and we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way because we want our accreditations to really stand for something.”

A very proud managing director also said: “These awards make business sense, too. It has allowed us to differentiate ourselves from every other fire protection company in the UK. We can approach clients with real credibility as a ‘Go To’ company for fire safety expertise. In truth, at The Fire Safety Company we realise that this was the easy part. The challenge for us is to maintain these high standards day in, day out in the years to come. We look forward to working with the NSI as our fire safety compliance champions.”

NSI CEO Jeff Little OBE

“Unquestionable commitment to the profession”

Jeff Little, the NSI’s CEO, stated: “This is a tremendous achievement for Sanjay Saggar and his team at The Fire Safety Company, and I congratulate them all. Attaining four BAFE Scheme registrations is no mean feat, and clearly demonstrates to the company’s customers and industry peers their unquestionable commitment to their profession. We’re delighted that The Fire Safety Company chose the NSI as its sole certification body. We’re very pleased that, in parallel to its BAFE Scheme registration, the company has attained the much coveted NSI Fire Gold and Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment Gold approvals for which they should be heartedly applauded.”

Stephen Adams, the CEO of BAFE, said: “I’m delighted to congratulate The Fire Safety Company on being the first to achieve registrations to four different BAFE schemes. Current fire safety legislation requires that the person responsible for a property takes all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of staff and customers. By using fire protection companies that have gained certification from an accredited body, they can show that they have done this.”

Adams concluded: “Sanjay Saggar and his team have shown their quality commitment across important areas of fire protection including the vital initial fire risk assessment service.”