The first-ever virtual UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) event took place on 25 February 2021.
Hundreds of security professionals tuned in to the live-streamed virtual award ceremony to celebrate the best of the best from across the sector – with guest appearances from Paul Sinha (AKA The Sinnerman from the Chase) and Alan Dedicoat known by many as ‘The Voice of the Balls’ from the National Lottery programmes.
This year, once again, companies, initiatives, technologies, individuals and teams were honoured in sixteen categories for their outstanding contribution to the security industry and in keeping us all safe.
OSPAs Founder, Professor Martin Gill said: “The security sector can feel very proud; it has not only stepped up to the mark during these unusual times but has gone above and beyond – which is evidenced by all of the finalists and especially the winners.”
Gill further added: “These awards are firmly based on the skills, behaviours and performance that lead to true, sustainable success and as such the stories of our winners’ achievements provide a valuable benchmark for those working in the sector.”
2021 UK OSPA winners:
Outstanding In-house Security Manager/Director: Tracey Edwards – Southern Health NHS Trust
Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director: David Evans – STM Group (UK) Ltd
Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer: IDIS
Outstanding Security Consultant: Richard Sumner – RS Security Consultants
Outstanding Security Team: Mitie & Sainsbury’s BLITZ Teams
Outstanding Customer Service Initiative: STM Group (UK) Ltd & Rail Network
Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator: Astra Security
Outstanding Event Security Team: Liverpool HMS Prince of Wales (Operation Heartland) Team – FGH Security
Outstanding Security Training Initiative: ACT Awareness eLearning – Highfield e-learning in partnership with M&S and NaCTSO
Outstanding Security Partnership: TINYg Information Sharing Partnership
Outstanding New Security Product: Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) App – URIM in partnership with M&S and NaCTSO
Outstanding Cyber Security Initiative: North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC)
Outstanding Young Security Professional: Hannah Booth – Heriot-Watt University
Outstanding Security Officer: Sammy Wightman – Axien Security
Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding): Axis Security
Lifetime Achievement: Jason Towse – Mitie
Summaries of all the winners can be found on the OSPAs website www.uk.theospas.com
The event organisers would like to thank all those who have helped to make the virtual UK OSPAs event such a success including: TEAM Software (headline sponsor); Edith Cowan University (trophies & certificates); ADS, Bidvest Noonan, Cap Index, Cordant Security, CIS Security, Interserve First Security, Nineteen Group, NSI, Skills for Security, TrackTik and the Security Institute (award categories). Also, the many supporting associations, judges and media partners.
