NSI Launches Women in Security Awards 2017
The Awards, now in their sixth year, provide a unique opportunity to showcase and celebrate the significant contribution of women to the security sector.
The launch was a resounding success attended by many eminent industry figures including Una Riley, Awards founder and the first woman managing director of an NSI approved company and Elizabeth France CBE, Chair of the SIA Board; as well as judges, previous winners and distinguished representatives from companies and industry bodies across the sector.
Chief Executive of NSI, Richard Jenkins, encouraged industry professionals to submit nominations, highlighting how the Awards dovetailed with NSI’s commitment to working together to raise standards by recognising and celebrating success.
Una Riley shared her original vision when establishing the Awards, saying:
“In 1985 when I started Euro Alarms Ltd I wanted immediately to be recognised as a professional installer…the route to business was to become NSI (then known as NSCIA and later NACOSS) approved and become a member of the BSIA trade body. Those were the credentials at that time to assure the consumer that the organisation they were choosing had been through a third-party inspection process. There were no ISO standards then or Investors in People…all the quality platforms were on the horizon and when the NSCIA transformed into NACOSS that is when the professional journey began. NACOSS was instrumental in improving standards in the security industry and the wider world of security.
“As an installation company owner for 23 years I was very involved with NSI from the beginning of the formation of my company. My company was being inspected whilst NSI (then NACOSS) gained accreditation from UKAS for the first time.
“Euro Alarms Ltd was one of the top ten companies to attain BS5750 through NACOSS and I was the first NACOSS Southern Regional Chairman and instrumental in helping define the difference between the services that the BSIA and NACOSS had to offer. NACOSS had a revolutionary impact on the systems sector.
“Since its early beginnings in 1971, NSI has gone on to become the recognised leading certification body for the security and fire protection sectors in the UK. I am proud of my association with the NSI from 1985 to now.
“I created the Women in Security Awards in order that women are recognised not only for their contribution to the industry by doing a great job but for women who shape the industry by their involvement with their ILB’s (Industry Lead Bodies)”.
Roy Cooper Publisher of Professional Security Magazine and event organiser, announced tickets for the event were already selling out fast and encouraged the whole industry to participate by submitting nominations for all those women who contribute above and beyond their roles in the wider interests of the industry.
The Dinner is the culmination of an awards programme in which nominations for talented and outstanding women in the industry can be submitted in four major categories: frontline; manager; technical; and contribution to industry. The entry deadline for nominations is 11 August 2017. Tickets to attend the glittering evening are available at £105 inc VAT. Full details on the nomination process and how to book your place at the Awards ceremony are online at: www.professionalsecurity.co.uk/wis.
As host of this year’s gala dinner, NSI is offering NSI approved companies an exclusive ‘2 for 1’ ticket price via events@nsi.org.uk.