Hermitage relinquishes Security Industry Authority chairmanship

Peter Hermitage QPM has announced that he is to relinquish his position as chairman of the Security Industry Authority (SIA). According to the official SIA News Release, Home Secretary Charles Clarke has accepted Hermitage’s resignation “with regret”. Hermitage is to stand down at the end of January 2006.

Speaking to Security Management Today about the shock decision, Hermitage said: “I have been with the SIA since its official launch in April 2003, first as a Board member, and have spent the best part of the last two years as chairman. Over that period the SIA has faced some tough challenges.

“By working closely with stakeholders, we have made tremendous progress in transforming the private security industry. I am extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to make my own contribution to those achievements, and to have worked with such a professional and dedicated team of people at our 50 Broadway headquarters.”

Hermitage added: “However, the time has come for me to move on. I would like to focus on other life challenges I wish to pursue. I leave knowing that our Board and executive team are well-equipped to meet the demands brought by the New Year, in particular as a result of licensing in the manned security sector. I’m still here for another two months, and it will be business as usual for that time.”

From 1968 until 1999 Peter was a serving police officer, with most of this time spent in operational roles in Kent. In that force he occupied two different roles as an assistant chief constable (personnel and operations) before moving to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary at the Home Office.

In 1996, Hermitage was promoted to the rank of chief constable, appointed as the director of national police training and awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service.

In addition to his SIA role, Peter undertakes the vice-chairmanship of the governors of Christ Church University College, Canterbury. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a member of the IoD.

Paul Goggins – the new Home Office minister with responsibility for the SIA – said: “Peter has made a significant contribution to the establishment of the SIA, and played a vital role in leading the regulation roll-out across England and Wales. It is with regret that we have accepted his resignation. We wish him well for the future.”