ring different routes security


fundamental to the auditing role: identifying opportunities to improve business performance and customer experience. I really believe we can inspire change, and having a more diverse workforce will support that.


I have enjoyed the support of an expert team at NSI since my appointment and the advice and experience they have given me has been invaluable. My training as a researcher taught me the value of continual learning and an enquiring mind. I am an avid reader and have been known to have a copy of British Standards and Codes of Practice on my bedside table for my sins. I am currently writing a book about the history of the Fire and Security Industry that begins with the first patent (no. 9802) for an electronic burglar alarm, issued in 1853 to Augustus Pope of Somerville, Massachusetts, USA.


There have been many changes and advances since then!


It is essential to enjoy a good balance in life. I run 5k’s to clear my head and enjoy fun family time at weekends with my beautiful son and amazing husband and friends.


I read somewhere… “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!!” It is a maxim I have taken to heart.


A temporary job is start of long, successful career


John Sephton Security Manager, Axis Security


Not by chance and not by choice, my career started as a temporary job for six months, and after I decided to make it a career, thanks to John Docherty (MD SecuriGuard Services), it has grown ever since.


My initial four-day training course was at Vauxhall Bridge Road, where I took and passed my SITO exam, then I was in as a new recruit at 80 Strand – the old Shell Mex House building. I was very fortunate to meet Dave Earnshaw (Oakpark Security), who was my supervisor at the time to guide me. After I had learned the ropes, patrols, emergency


© CI TY S ECURI TY MAGAZ INE – AUTUMN 2018


procedures, a vacancy came up as a supervisor, so I applied and was successful. This job, which was only temporary, became the start of a long successful career full of ups and downs, but came right in the end.


Security qualifications


With competence in security the time had come to educate myself. I had a negative mindset when it came to education as I didn’t do too well at school and this was affecting my confidence and chances at progression. I decided to bite the bullet and do a part-time degree at Portsmouth University, which was a great experience and I graduated. It has opened doors for me since. I know university isn’t for everybody, but there are other routes: find them, apply them and own them. The change is coming, the time is now and put yourself out there.


Maybe mentoring


The new security professionals coming into the industry really need seasoned professionals to believe in them and help them grow. When I started, I really didn’t know what was available, who to ask, how people climbed the ladder and if my CV was any good. I was there trying to figure it out along the way, and this is why I believe that mentoring is the way forward and developing your own style is a must. I have had a couple of great mentors in my time: Chris Lyons (Axis Security) and Neill Catton (MD CIS Security). They showed me the finer arts of account management and gave me a chance to improve and progress. The point here is to find a mentor for your questions; the worst thing you can do is guess, when help is available.


Stressful trying to be successful


Make your own chances, create your own light and take people along for the ride. My career has been up and down, but I never gave up. Experience is only created by mistakes and failures along the way and there is never a No, only the next opportunity! I have a great career, with a company and client that cares. I continually strive to make my teams successful by mentoring them, by


www. c i t y s e cur i t yma g a z i n e . c om


not giving up and by finding the next opportunity.


Here are some top tips:


• Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make yourself known. Get on LinkedIn and into some professional groups on the platform; contribute


• Ask your company if they can use the apprenticeship levy for your development


• Seek out a mentor for guidance. The Security Institute has an active mentoring platform


• Take ownership of your career and set up a career path, because nobody else will do it for you


• Take control over your CPD. The Security Institute has a free CPD scheme


• Make your CV stand out from the others • Never, ever give up!


A trip of a life time opens door into security


Kat Hart Head of Luxury and Close Protection, Amulet


I spent fifteen years in the adventure travel industry, working overseas, initially as an expedition leader, and then as a consultant in Operations Management and Logistics in remote and often hostile environments – setting up operations in countries where there was little to no tourist infrastructure (DRC, Papua New Guinea, Mali, Togo, Tajikistan, Eritrea). I would be the person leading the first trip with paying guests in order to perfect it in real time.


I then chose a career in the security sector because being able to put my incredibly compatible skill set (essentially real time risk assessment and management) to use in a different industry interests me and has a lot of different applications. Initially drawn to the Close Protection


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