Education security association announces leadership changes

The primary association for security experts employed in higher and vocational education across the globe has announced changes to its leadership.

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) has confirmed a new Chair and Vice Chair.

Oliver Curran – AUCSO’s current Vice Chair – will become Chair in April and will take over from industry veteran Les Allan. Geoff Brown, Head of Campus Safety, University of York will take over as Vice Chair.

Brown had a career in law enforcement before working as a Security Consultant for Heritage Energy Middle East, an oil company in Iraq.

A challenging but rewarding sector

Curran has been a member of the AUCSO Executive Committee for approximately five years and for the past 15 years has served as the In-House Security Manager at UCL (University College London). He commented: “I am looking forward to stepping up to the position of Chair of AUCSO.

“I’ve worked in many sectors of the security industry and the higher education sector is without doubt the most challenging but also the most rewarding.

“I’m extremely keen and honoured to be working so closely with so many dedicated security professionals and many of our amazing external partners.

“With Geoff by my side and with the other dedicated members of the Executive Committee, I am sure we will continue the incredible work Les achieved whilst he was Chair and together, we will ensure AUCSO is fit for the future ahead.”

“A fantastic and rewarding experience”

Julie Barker, COO, AUCSO said: “We are delighted to welcome Oliver and Geoff to their new roles on the Executive Committee and we are looking forward to working with them and all of the Executive Committee members to steer the organisation forward.

“We have no doubt that it will be a fantastic and rewarding experience for them.”