Winners of the 2023 UK OSPAs announced

The seventh UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) event took place at the Royal Lancaster London on 23 February 2023.

More than 500 security professionals gathered to celebrate the very best from across the sector with dinner and a presentation event hosted by comedian Hal Cruttenden.

“This year the competition was particularly tough; with the number of nominations significantly exceeding those received in previous years. The 31 security experts who made up the judging panel had no easy task in selecting the finalists and winners,” said OSPAs Founder, Professor Martin Gill.

“The OSPAs event is a true celebration to acknowledge and recognise the fantastic work that is taking place within the security industry – to enhance the safety and security of our communities – and all those that were nominated should feel very proud.”

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Joe Connell. Joe has served the UK as a Crown servant and then as a committed security professional for over 30 years, recently retiring as Chairman of the Association of Security Consultants (ASC). Judges commented Joe’s impact was felt across many areas of security and security association partnerships and has a strong influence internationally. Joe’s ability to instantly understand his audience, assess situations and facilitate development of security solutions are some of the many qualities noted by the judges.

UK OSPA 2023 Award winners

Outstanding In-House Security Manager/Director – sponsored by Bidvest Noonan

Gary Stephen – University of Glasgow

Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director

Tom Meredith – Mitie

Outstanding Security Team – sponsored by Trackforce Valiant & TrackTik

London Bridge City Security Team – CIS Security

Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) – sponsored by TEAM Software by WorkWave

CIS Security

Outstanding Security Consultant – sponsored by CIS Security

Jonathan Eddery – MAST

Outstanding Customer Service Initiative – sponsored by Danhouse Security

‘Safe Strides’ Initiative – CIS Security/London Bridge City

Outstanding Security Training Initiative – sponsored by BSIA 

TITAN – MOONHUB and Corps Security

Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator – sponsored by NSI

SecuriGroup Systems

Outstanding Event Security Team

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Stewarding Team – FGH Security

Outstanding Security Partnership – sponsored by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives

Darren Conway – Lodge Service, Iona Blake – Boots and the National Business Crime Centre

Outstanding New Security Product

Safe Haven App – Croma Vigilant

Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer – sponsored by International Security Expo/The Security Event

Gallagher

Outstanding Security Officer – sponsored by Corps Security

Barry Roberts – CIS Security

Outstanding Young Security Professional – sponsored by Zinc Systems

Arran Perry – FGH Security

Outstanding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative – sponsored by Assist Group and supported by SyCom

STM Group (UK)

Outstanding Security Sustainability Award – sponsored by KeolisAmey Docklands

Bristol Zoological Society and KIS Fire & Security

Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by The Security Institute

Joe Connell