Childs set to establish Security Confederation

Former Joint Security Industry Council (JSIC) chief executive Richard Childs has announced plans to form the Confederation of the British Security Industry (CBSI) – and thereby “provide the security industry with an independent and non-aligned focus which can help those from diverse security backgrounds (and with diverse security needs) to collaborate in helping the industry better understand itself, and to achieve its full social and commercial potential.”

Once up-and-running, the CBSI – administered by Childs and The Caltrop Consultancy’s Nicholas O’Connor, both of whom are directors of the new venture – will provide professional membership support and information to all members and, above all, a Forum which will draw together a variety of players and identify issues of common concern. With that strength under its belt, the organisation will then be in a position to judge, reflect upon and influence the future direction of the industry.

The basic intention is that the CBSI imparts its views to those who currently set the industry agenda, and ensures that those voices who have perhaps been heard less well up until now will have an opportunity to air their opinions and have them taken on board (as well as listened to more often).

The objectives include:

• promoting, supporting, opposing or proposing legislation or other measures or proceedings affecting the interests of members;
• making representations on all factors affecting members’ interests;
• supporting the improvement of standards in the education and training of persons preparing for, entering or already engaged in the security industry.

The organisation is being set up as a not-for-profit operation, with its finances totally transparent to the membership. The role of the Management Committee (to be elected from the membership) will be to focus on the strategic issues affecting the membership.

A regional structure run by the members will be established, while sub-committees chaired by members focusing on key issues will actually do the work of CBSI.

To begin, four categories of membership have been designated – organisations, companies, associates and individuals – with annual fees ranging from £50 for non-voting individuals through to £300 for companies with over 50 employees. Voting rights will be granted to members within the Organisation and Company categories only.

Of course, setting up the CBSI could be construed as a risk. “If no-one joins us then there will be no CBSI,” comments Richard Childs, the former chief constable of Lincolnshire Police and a member of the Security Management Today Editorial Advisory Board who becomes chairman of the CBSI.

“What no-one will be able to say – whatever else they might suggest – is that nobody made the effort. Making the effort, providing an opportunity and thus offering a credible option is what matters most. Nothing in life worth doing is a risk-free exercise.”

Childs is also adamant that the CBSI is most certainly not trying to steal JSIC’s clothing. “The CBSI is a far broader church with a wider membership. It will be truly independent, as it will not accept funding from any body outside of its membership. By setting fees at a modest level, it is hoped that the membership will grow and be able to fund whatever action the organisation decides to take. For a variety of reasons, and despite the very best of intentions, JSIC is not currently in a position where it is able to be the totally independent and non-aligned player that is needed.”

The CBSI will not be a body that sits back and takes whatever is thrown at it without careful consideration, and – where appropriate – will “respond robustly, and sometimes do so with passion,” concludes Childs.