Mark Barber


Academy & Qualification Design Manager Securitas


When I left school, my parents suggested I go to university or take on a local


gym, which was going into liquidation. I went for the latter, which produced some really interesting opportunities.


The gym was frequented by the local ‘doormen’ who persuaded me to join them. It was like the Wild West and it turned out to be my introduction to the security industry. I loved it!


I learnt the ropes at some of the largest UK ‘urban’ events. I gradually gained more recognition and increasingly took on greater responsibilities. I was operations director for over 300 major outdoor events, and also gained skills and experience in close protection, general security and surveillance.


The key turning point in my career came from my best friend, an assistant police chief constable, who convinced me that training was the way to go! My education in the subject matter, together with my operational experience, proved invaluable as we successfully delivered a full suite of training programmes.


Next, I was appointed national manager for


the Olympics 2012, the largest ever training event in the UK, providing specialist training interventions to the top five UK security companies.


Today, I’m proud to be the Academy & Qualification Manager for our City & Guilds accredited training academy and winner of the ‘Highly Commended’ Certificate for contribution to vocational education and training, presented by HRH Princess Royal.


I have a great work/life balance. My family is everything to me, and my time at home is precious, I guard it fiercely! I’m lucky that I love my job and the people I work with; it’s busy, challenging and always keeps me on my toes.


Mike Britnell Director and co-founder BeCyberSure


I began my career in the Post Office Telecoms, back when it was a subdivision of the PO, with the early


opportunity to become an Investigation Officer. Fifteen years and a promotion later, I had travelled the UK tracking down and processing through to prosecution every type of criminal operating against the PO and Telecoms businesses.


In 1984, I helped set up BT Security, a new and exciting challenge. I lobbied to explore


strategic security improvements, and set up an embryonic Crime Prevention Division, which even then included a cybersec and pen testing capability.


Subsequent years saw me promoted to General Manager of BT Security, followed by a series of senior security roles, including Head of Security for the Bank of England and CEO of Skills for Security.


From my earliest BT days, cyber-related crime had always fascinated me and when friends suggested setting up BeCyberSure, I was up for it. I can share my expertise with companies who can’t afford a Director of Security, but need protection from the scourge that is cybercrime.


My early days toughened me while allowing me to understand how the criminal world worked. Later, I watched in awe as an ex- army general applied his political skills to get our security message across at board level. I realised that while I could never be that man, I could use my personality with his tactics: always being true to myself, seeking in my small way to create a better world. So, if you are starting out in security, do think about qualifications in your chosen specialism, always be ready to take on a challenge; but importantly, watch and learn from those whom you respect, think innovatively, and above all, fight for what you believe and be yourself.


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Exploring careers in security contd.


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