An exclusive interview with Jason Towse, MD for Business Services at Mitie and 2021 OSPAs Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
Working within the security industry is not easy. The profession requires an individual to work long and often irregular hours in roles that can be pressurised and stressful. To have a long career in security, an individual needs to be professional, hard-working and completely dedicated to their career.
At the recent 2021 Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), one such individual was deservedly recognised. Jason Towse, MD for Business Services at Mitie won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event after a fantastic career in the UK security industry spanning almost 30 years.
Security Journal UK caught up with Towse to discuss his many achievements during that time and to find out more about the latest innovations at Mitie.
Feeling like a million dollars
Beginning his career in 1994, Towse started in retail security before setting up his own security company and then taking up a position at Chubb Fire & Security. Following 11 successful years there and a short stint at Securitas, he joined Mitie in 2012 and has progressed through the ranks to his current position of Managing Director for Business Services.
Looking back, Towse is quick to pinpoint the most crucial part of his career: “A big turning point in my career was when Chubb was acquired by UTC and they offered me the opportunity to go on their employee sponsored education programme. I left school without qualifications but this programme enabled me to attend the Dardan Business School at the University of Virginia in the US in my late twenties and complete my education. It was a key part of my career.”
Then in March 2021, Towse was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 OSPAs. Speaking at the event, 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.
“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.”
For Towse, it was a moment of great pride and honour: “To begin with it felt like someone was getting me ready to retire! I love to see other people win awards, that gives me the greatest thrill but once I got over the initial embarrassment, I felt a million dollars. I felt incredibly proud of what I do and the people I work with.”
When asked what were the key lessons he’s learnt over such a stellar career, Towse was quick to answer: “Don’t stand still and always embrace change. That attitude has stood us in really good stead at Mitie in recent years but it’s something that a lot of people don’t appreciate.
“You have got to be responsive to change, whether that be a change in the economy or a change to the business environment like we have seen in the past 12 months.”
Working through the pandemic
As Towse touched upon, the past 12 months have thrown up a variety of challenges for organisations working in the UK security industry. The COVID-19 pandemic showcased why it is crucial for businesses to be agile and adaptable to change.
Reflecting on Mitie’s response to the pandemic, Towse said: “As an organisation, it has allowed us to demonstrate our capabilities and responsiveness, both in the public and private sector. Customers have learnt that they can absolutely rely on Mitie. One example is how we helped mobilise test centres across the UK to support the UK Government’s test and trace programme, we reacted within a matter of hours, not days. I don’t think many of our other supply partners would be able to do that.
“However, I think it is important that over the next few months we stop talking about COVID and begin talking about how we are going to do business moving forward. COVID has been a catalyst for change and it is now time to implement that change fully.
“For instance, the pandemic has greatly improved the perception of a frontline worker and has brought to light the critical roles they perform every day. At Mitie, we have invested in better pay, conditions and key benefits for our frontline colleagues and their families to show how much value we place in these individuals. I think it’s one of the most important things to come out of the pandemic.”
Another significant development for Mitie during this period was the launch of its Global Security Operations service. The service brings together Mitie Security’s entire suite of technology solutions offering a tech-smart and seamless way for businesses to keep their premises, people and customers safe and secure.
The service delivers real-time intelligence gathered by Mitie’s Global Security Operations Centre (GSOC) through a dedicated app. The app is powered by Mitie’s exclusive Merlin Protect 24/7 software, which continually analyses clients’ risks, automatically sharing real-time trend analysis. By connecting innovative technology with security professionals and decision makers, this service will enable an agile approach to security. Customers will have access to enhanced intelligence and specific guidance, allowing them to adapt swiftly and rapidly deploy security teams on the ground to address issues or threats.
Towse added: “The GSOC is the heartbeat of our Global Security Operations service. We have people working in there from various backgrounds, including former military intelligence professionals and extremism specialists. They are advising the rest of our team and our customers about what is happening in the world and equipping our customers with real time meaningful insights, to be able to make important decisions.”
Not finished yet
After such a long and distinguished career, Towse could be forgiven for casting one eye towards retirement but nothing could be further from the truth. There is still plenty for him and his team to accomplish at Mitie first: “For Mitie as a group, we have to continue to integrate Interserve and Mitie together which is no small task. There are also sizable opportunities, with high profile customers in high profile sectors, for our Business Services division so plenty of work needs to be done.
“Our focus will be on winning large transformational contracts where we can employ technology to complement what the existing employees do and make a real difference. Our focus on technology is helping us to win big contracts that we probably wouldn’t have won in the past.
“From a security perspective, we are expecting another year of strong growth and large contract wins. I think we will continue to see growth in the Global Security Operations service as cost pressures become more prominent and the evolution of technology comes to the forefront of many organisation’s strategies.”
He concluded: “We will continue to demonstrate our ability to change, adapt and evolve with the landscape. Don’t just continue to do the same things and expect different results, that’s the key.”
There is no doubt that Towse was an incredibly deserving winner of the OSPAs Lifetime Achievement Award. His passion, drive and expertise in providing security can only be matched by a select few individuals throughout the industry. And the best news for Mitie is that he definitely isn’t finished yet.
To find out more information, visit: https://www.mitie.com/
This article was originally published in the May edition of Security Journal UK. To read a free digital copy of the magazine, click here.