Nearly 700 guests celebrated the best in security – and England’s sporting successes – at the industry’s most glittering awards event

Although this year’s Security Excellence Awards celebrated the best in sport as well as the best in security, you didn’t have to be a sports nut to enjoy it … even non-sporty types agreed that the event it was a spectacular night out.

A record attendance of nearly 700 guests helped celebrate England’s year of sporting successes … and the excellence of the finalists in the security industry “Oscars”.

Now in their sixth year, the awards encourage professionalism and excellence in every sector of the industry … from installation to guarding.

This year, for the first time, the awards were celebrated during Securex week and were staged at London’s glittering Hilton Hotel in Park Lane.

Also new this year was a new awards category, The Best International Achievement Award and the presentation of awards to the winners of the Apprentice Skills Challenge staged at IFSEC 2004.

Sponsored by Security Installer and its sister publications SMT and CCTV Today, and co-hosted by the magazines’ three editors, the awards evening itself was a fun night out with the serious purpose of honouring those companies and individuals who have demonstrated excellence during the year. Guests not only enjoyed the awards ceremony itself but danced to a great band into the early hours or played in the charity casino. They were also able to play on some of our sporting themed competitions, such as a giant Scalextric and rally car machines.

Host for the night was top sports commentator John Inverdale, and also there on behalf of our chosen charity, SPARKS (Sport Aiding Medical Research for Kids), was rugby legend Roger Uttley, former captain of the England team. An auction of a football signed by England legend, Geoff Hurst and donated by the Editor of SMT, Brian Sims, raised £1,350 towards the charity.

A keynote address was given by the Chairman of the Security Industry Authority, Peter Hermitage and award winners received their trophies in the presence of industry VIPs representing all the major security organisations, operators and manufacturers.

Glancing around the room at the faces there left observers in no doubt that anyone who is anyone in security now attends this essential black tie event which goes on getting bigger and better as each year passes.

Sponsoring excellence

This year’s event attracted more sponsors than ever before. They were:

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

Deloitte & Touche, part of a leading professional organisation delivering audit, tax and consulting services.

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

Panasonic (UK), 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.

Safe-Sec Security which can supply 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.

Tavcom Training, the UK’s leading security systems training company.

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

Best Security Manufacturer - Panasonic (UK)

Simon Wright of Panasonic receives the award Also pictured Ron Alalouff (CCTV Today); Alan Hyder (Security Installer) and Brian Sims (SMT).

Best Security Installer - Reliance High-Tech

Steve Webb of Reliance High-Tech receives the award. Also pictured: sponsor Steve Kimber (Southern Monitoring Services) and the editors.

Best Integrated Security Solution - Reliance High-Tech

Steve Webb of Reliance High-Tech, pictured with the editors, receives the award.

Best International Achievement Award - Pyronix

Julie Kenny of Pyronix receives the award: Also pictured: sponsor Richard Clarke (IFSEC 2005) and the editors.

Best Customer Care Initiative - VSG

Keith Francis of VSG receives the award. Also pictured: Alex Carmichael (BSIA) and the editors.

Best Security Promotional Campaign - Dedicated Micros

Chris Boyce of Dedicated Micros receives the award. Also pictured: sponsor Simon Parker (CMP Information) and the editors.

Best Security Innovation - WebWayOne

Paul Carter of WebWayOne receives the award. Also pictured: sponsor Peter Jones (Third Millennium Systems) and the editors.

Best Security Consultant - Arup Security Consulting

John Haddon of Arup Security Consulting, pictured with the editors, receives the award.

Best Security Training Initiative - Kings Security Systems

Anthony King of Kings Security Systems receives the award: Also pictured: sponsor Paul Tennent (Tavcom Training) and the editors.

Best Security Client of the Year - Tibbett & Britten

Colin Moore of Tibbett and Britten. Also pictured: sponsor Steve Withers (Safe Sec) and the editors.

Best IT Initiative - Web WayOne

Paul Carter of WebWayOne receives the award. Also pictured: sponsor Yag Kanani (Deloitte) and the editors.

Best Guarding Company - Wilson James

Stuart Lowden of Wilson James receives the award. Also pictured: sponsor Nick Atkinson (Prima Corporate Wear) and the editors

Best Security Partnering Initiative - TM Security and Partners

Richard Taylor of Hampshire Constabulary receives the award on behalf of TM Security and partners. Also pictured: sponsor Richard Clarke (Securex).

Best Security Manager - Dennis Ahern (Tate Modern)

Dennis Ahern of The Tate Modern receives the award. Also pictured: sponsor Noel Verbruggen (Intrepid Security Solutions) and the editors.

Apprentice Skills Challenge

Apps – olutely delighted: Niall Meagher and Michael Cromwell of 3D Security Systems, Watford, won this year’s Apprentice Skills Challenge, staged at IFSEC 2004. Also pictured: Ron Alalouff, (CCTV Today); Geoff Tate (SSAIB); Tom Bell (BT redcare) and Tom Mullarkey (NSI).WITH THE GROWING AWARENESS OF MODERN Apprenticeships as a way to tackle the engineering skills shortage, the Apprentice Skills Challenge was staged at IFSEC 2004. The “skills Olympics” had teams of apprentices battling it out to see who could deliver the most technically sound system in a limited time. Around 60 apprentices took part and three teams of two made it through to the finals at the NEC, Birmingham in May.

Source

Security Installer