Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attends The Security Institute annual conference

The Security Institute has just celebrated its annual conference and awards ceremony sponsored by Fastline Steel and HZL.

This year’s conference was titled ‘The Changing Face of Security’, with its 25th Anniversary coming up next year.

The event was held 16 October at the Royal Society of Medicine on Wimpole Street, London, UK.

The event brought together security professionals from across the sector to reflect on the shifts that have reshaped their roles in recent years.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Security Institute’s Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attended as a special guest of honour.

During Her Royal Highness’ visit, delegates were thrilled to see The Princess Royal announce The Security Institute’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award was given to The Security Institute’s late former President, Baroness Ruth Henig CBE JP DL, with Baroness Henig’s family in attendance to accept the award.

Focus and topics

The wider event focused on a number of crucial topics including:

• Updates from Julie Nel, The Security Institute Chair and Professor Simon Hepburn, The Security Institute Chief Executive Officer
• Talks from Paul Maskall of UK Finance and the City of London Police, who spoke about the psychology and sociology of security in a fascinating talk entitled ‘The Changing Face of Risk’
• Heather Baily QPM, Chair of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), who spoke about the unique challenges and changes that SIA licence-holders now face.

Events of the day

A captivating panel discussion then followed with the key areas of diversity and inclusion being addressed.

The Institute then held its awards ceremony with a number of excellent winners in each category.

In the afternoon, attendees heard from an array of industry experts and thought leaders including:

• Representatives from the NPSA
• Stuart Wortley of Eversheds Sutherland
• Paul Bean MSyI of Royal Mail
• Representatives of Google DeepMind.

“The threat landscape is now more vast and more complex”

Professor Simon Hepburn, CEO, The Security Institute commented on the occasion: “We are truly delighted to have held such a successful conference this year and are deeply honoured by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal’s continued dedication to our cause and Royal patronage.

He added: “The importance of our range of speakers, the topics discussed and the themes addressed this year cannot be overstated; the threat landscape is now more vast and more complex than at any previous point in history and we at The Security Institute are proud to be facing these challenges head-on, not only for the benefit of our members, but for wider society as a whole.”