New Co-Chairs for Counter Terrorism SIG announced

The Security Institute has announced that Andrew Donaldson MSyI and Steven McGrath MSyI will Co-Chair the Counter Terrorism Special Interest Group (CT SIG).

Both Steven and Andrew have extensive experience within Counter Terrorism and are thought leaders within the field. As the new Co-Chairs of the CT SIG they will drive forward the group’s aim of sharing information and best practice in the field of Counter Terrorism for the benefit of all Security Institute members as well as the wider community.

Andrew is Head of Security at Real Estate Management (UK) Ltd, responsible for overall crisis management and security operations across the portfolio that includes The Shard and other prime London real estate. Prior to this, he had a distinguished career in international counter terrorism, including representing British interests in the USA and Asia.

Steven is the Head of Information Capability and Engagement with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO). In this role, he is responsible for NaCTSO’s engagement with businesses and the implementation of their Information Sharing Platform. In addition, as the joint Chair of the Protect & Prepare Business Information Exchange (CT BIE), he oversees projects delivered jointly by NaCTSO and business and the cascade of advice and guidance across a national network of business and industry sectors.

Under their leadership, the CT SIG will collaborate closely with Government specialists that are leading the nation’s Counter Terrorism efforts. The CT SIG is well placed to support the Security Institute’s contribution and response to the ‘Protect Duty’ consultation, by directly engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and encouraging responses to the consultation questions. This will help ensure that security professionals within the sector can be involved in the process and resolve any potential concerns before new protective security legislation is passed.

Speaking on his new role as the CT SIG Co-Chair, Andrew said: “Counter terrorism is not just a job for the police and MI5. The Security Institute is well placed to not only keep people safe on a day-to-day basis, but also influence the longer-term strategy and decisions that need to be made. We have an opportunity with the Protect Duty consultation to inform government of how the private sector can successfully manage and implement security regulations.”

Steven added to this saying: “We have an opportunity to provide a voice for the industry to shape not only the advice and guidance provided to business and industry, but also the way it is delivered. Ensuring collaboration, articulating our thoughts accurately and timely and thinking about security in the longer-term are my initial goals for the CT SIG.”

The work of the CT SIG and the new Co-Chairs will be supported by their Institute Board of Directors Sponsor, Vice Chairman, Jonathan Schulten FSyI. Jonathan has vast experience working within counter terrorism having served as Director, SME & Lead Assessor on the National Counter Terrorism Security Coordinators Course within the College of Policing and more recently working in senior security and business resilience roles within the private sector.

Speaking on the CT SIG Jonathan said: “Comprising of nearly 200 security professionals, the CT SIG is strongly supported by the Institute’s membership. I welcome Andy and Steve as the new Co-Chairs. They are both vastly experienced and very well connected within the CT community, bringing with them knowledge of government agencies, intelligence, public and private sector organisations and terrorism risk insurance. I look forward to collaborating with them and to the invaluable contribution the CT SIG will make to the Institute’s response to the Protect Duty consultation process.”

Led by CT SIG, the Institute is hosting a webinar focused on the ‘The Protect Duty Consultation’ at 11am on Monday 22 February. This is an exclusive opportunity to hear from a Home Office Policy Advisor regarding the launch of the Protect Duty consultation, book your place here: https://event.bookitbee.com/31567/220221-webinar-the-protect-duty-consultation