Security professionals form newest City Livery Company

02 May 2008

Britain’s security professionals have been formally recognised by the City of London with the inauguration of their new Worshipful Company of Security Professionals at the Mansion House last week.

On 2nd May , the Lord Mayor, the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis, accompanied by High Officers and Aldermen of the City of London presented Letters of Patent and receive the Company into Livery amid all the pomp and circumstance of a ceremony at the Mansion House. Lord Mayor David Lewis said: “Security is at the heart of the modern, 21st- century financial services district that is the Square Mile – and it is important to see the Security Professional now recognised alongside all the ancient trades on which the City was founded.”

The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals was admitted to Livery in February of this year and has 290 Freeman from the wider world of security, including the military, police, corporate security, academics, security consultants, and fraud investigators. It also represents security personnel (guarding, cash in transit response services) along with the electro-technical sector providing CCTV/Intruder and Access solutions.

The Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, former Lord Mayor, Alderman Sir David Brewer CMG, who sponsored the company and is one of its Honorary Liveryman, said “I am proud to be a member of Merchant Taylors’, one of the oldest Livery Companies; and now the youngest – the Security Professionals. “Security affects us all in our corporate lives as well as our personal lives. This is something relevant to the City today, just like Livery Companies of old used to be. The Company is quoted all the time as an example of how to form and nurture a Livery Company. All Lord Mayors have served as Sheriffs – the original keepers of London’s security – so maintaining the reputation for security and safety is a something that the whole City supports.”Peter French, the Master of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals added: ‘This is a landmark day for us. It is recognition by the City of the contribution that professional security makes, not only to the safety of the country, but also the commercial success of the UK. An enormous amount of work has been done over the last eight years by many outstanding colleagues, and today we are overjoyed that all the effort has been worthwhile. We now look forward to joining the other Livery Companies and becoming truly a part of the history of this great city of ours.”

A Brief History of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
The City of London has always heavily relied upon good security to protect its people, property and world renowned reputation, but until 1999 the security profession had no Livery links.

The 25th August 1999, saw The Guild of Security Professionals registered with the City of London Chamberlain’s Office. On 18th November 1999 twelve colleagues from across the security spectrum met at the Guildhall to plan making the vision of a Guild a reality.

The inaugural meeting of sixty-two Founders on 27th March 2000, elected Sir Neil Macfarlane as the Founder Master. Mr Deputy Philip Willoughby attended that meeting to give advice and support and he is an Honorary Liveryman of the Company. Alderman Sir David Brewer, CMG agreed to become the Guild’s Sponsoring Alderman and is now an Honorary Life Liveryman.

In September 2000 the inaugural Dinner, held at Drapers Hall, with 224 members and guests. At the end of the year Guild membership had increased to ninety and there was a healthy bank balance. The Windsor Herald designed a Coat of Arms, and The Queen’s Chaplain at the Tower of London, The Rev Paul Abram, was appointed as Honorary Chaplain to the Guild.

By mid 2003 membership and financial targets had been met and on 6th January 2004 the Guild became a Recognised Company of the City of London without Grant of Livery.

The Company has forged binding links with the our Armed Services, namely, the Royal Air Force Regiment, HMS Severn and the Regiment of the Royal Military Police.

The Company supports many charities and educational institutions, and established a number of unique projects which include: The Whittington Course, The Sheriffs’ Award, Hear4u, and the Life Home Project in Phukhet, Thailand.

On 15th January 2008 the Court of Alderman was petitioned and on 19th February 2008 the Court declared us to be The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals. Livery Company No. 108.