'It was magic!' That was the overwhelming verdict of the 600-plus guests at this year's Security Excellence Awards organised by Security Installer and its sister magazine SMT.
Now in its fifth year, the 2003 event attracted more entries and sponsors than ever before and, with a 200-plus increase in guests, it graduated to London's biggest awards venue, the Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Although the awards have the serious purpose of honouring those in the industry who have demonstrated excellence within the last year, the event itself is designed to be a great night out in London.

And guests who had been looking forward to a fun evening were not disappointed. They were entertained by TV magician and comedian Paul Zenon, enjoyed a charity casino and danced to the sounds of the Boogie Brothers band.

The winners received their awards in the presence of industry VIPs representing all the major organisations, operators and manufacturers … a glance around at the faces in the room left guests in no doubt that anyone who was anyone in security was at this black tie event!

With a programme introduction by Minister for State for Crime Reduction, Hazel Blears and a keynote speech by the chair of the Security Industry Authority, Molly Meacher, guests were assured of the highest calibre of support the awards have won over the years, indelibly stamping them as the 'Oscars' of the security industry.

The Security Excellence Awards 2003, the only annual awards event to cover the whole of the security industry, honoured companies and individuals in 13 awards categories who have achieved excellence.

Trophy winners were:

Best Security Installer
Kings Security Systems

Best Security Manufacturer
JVC Professional Europe

Best Integrated Security Solution
Andover Controls

Best Security Promotional Campaign
British Transport Police for Operation Hawkeye

Best IT Initiative
Intamac Systems

Best Security Partnering Initiative
The Greater Manchester Police and the BSIA

Best Customer Care Initiative
Pearl Fire and Security

Best Security Training Initiative
Cooper Security

Best Security Consultant
Ian Johnson Associates

Best Security Innovation
Samsung OptoElectronics

Best Guarding Company
Wilson James

Security Client of the Year
Bovis Lend Lease

Best Security Manager
Des Roche (Securiplan plc)

Sponsors of the Security Excellence Awards 2003 were:

Andover Controls (supplier of Integral), manufactures and markets advanced microcomputer-based control systems

Dedicated Micros, innovative producer of video multiplexers and digital multiplex CCTV recording systems

Intrepid Security Solutions, provider of integrated loss prevention solutions for retail and non-retail

Optex, supplier of sensors for security systems and automatic doors, specialises in infrared technologies, control systems and CCTV products

Panasonic, a single source contact for a wide range of CCTV, EAS and source tagging systems

Prima Corporate Wear, the leading supplier of corporate clothing to the security sector, including an in-house design service

SafeSec Security, supplier of tailor made security solutions to end users including manned guarding, patrol, keyholding, CCTV monitoring

Southern Monitoring Services, market leader in the provision of remote monitoring and sensors

Third Millennium, leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of cost effective access control readers and security solutions.

Source

Security Installer