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Brian Sims, the Editor of Security Management Today (SMT) 鈥� CMP Information鈥檚 flagship monthly security journal dedicated to serving the educational, training and information needs of practising managers 鈥� has won the inaugural Skills for Security Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Security Business Sector.

The Award was bestowed by the organisation鈥檚 business development director Stefan Hay following last month鈥檚 Skills for Security National Conference, held at Birmingham鈥檚 famous International Convention Centre (ICC).

This is a National Award that individuals can neither apply for nor be nominated for, the recipient being determined by the team at Skills for Security (including chief executive Linda Sharpe).

The Special Award is designed to be 鈥渁n honour for the industry鈥檚 unsung heroes who, perhaps unlike many other Award recipients, have no vested interest other than to lead the security industry forward into the future, altruistically and with true passion."

In his citation to the 200-plus delegates in attendance at the ICC, Stefan Hay commented: 鈥淏rian Sims is an outstanding individual who has adopted our industry as his own and who, through tireless effort, has highlighted the need for 鈥� and determinedly pursued the concept of 鈥� Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for security managers, directors and operational personnel ever since taking over at the helm of what he has made the private security industry鈥檚 leading journal.

鈥淏rian has been fully supportive of Security Industry Authority licensing, but has never been afraid to challenge the decisions of the Regulator when appropriate. He has consistently been first on the scene to report both honestly and transparently on every major initiative or event that has impacted on our industry during the past six years. He has also given hundreds of ours to additional activities on behalf of The Security Institute, the British Security Industry Association, The Company of Security Professionals, ASIS International鈥檚 UK Chapter 208 and our own organisation in pursuit of the furtherance of this business sector and its many practitioners.鈥�

Hay continued: 鈥淭his year, Brian also launched the excellent Four Issues, One Voice Campaign in tandem with Infologue.com鈥檚 Editor Bobby Logue, calling for the licensing of in-house security operatives, equal representation on the SIA Board, fair charging within the Approved Contractor Scheme and the cutting of regulatory red tape. That Campaign is now under discussion at The Home Office.

鈥淚n addition, Brian is playing an integral role on the Skills for Security CPD Sub-Committee that is currently involved with devising a Register of Security Professionals, membership of which will depend on compulsory CPD activity.鈥�

Plaudits from the industry

鈥淚鈥檇 like to offer you my warmest congratulations on this well-deserved Skills for Security Special Award,鈥� stated Mike Bluestone, the head of training and career development at MITIE Security. 鈥淵ou are a true professional. I read Stefan鈥檚 tribute and agree with every word. Well done indeed.鈥�

Kevin Smith 鈥� regional manager of CCTV solutions provider Pelco鈥檚 operations in the UK and Ireland 鈥� said: 鈥淐ongratulations, Brian, on receipt of what is a hugely prestigious accolade. It is most certainly deserved.鈥� Audrey Clark 鈥� marketing manager at the OCS Group 鈥� added her own tribute. 鈥淢any, many congratulations. Just reward for your efforts in promoting professionalism within the sector at every opportunity.鈥�

In addition, Patrick Somerville 鈥� chairman of the International Professional Security Association 鈥� commented: 鈥淭remendous. I cannot think of a more worthy recipient. During a period when this industry has been undergoing a tremendous transformation, you have always offered balanced comment from within. You write from the heart of the security sector with genuine passion as opposed to commentating from its periphery.鈥�

CMP Information鈥檚 chief executive Gary Hughes was understandably delighted by the news. 鈥淥utstanding, Brian. Simply outstanding, and very well done indeed.鈥� Live Media Portfolio managing director Jane Risby-Rose added: 鈥淢any congratulations on what is yet another fantastic piece of recognition from the industry following last year鈥檚 BSIA Chairman鈥檚 Award success. These Awards are brilliant achievements for you and the journal.鈥�

FSS group director Simon Parker said: 鈥淚 am immensely proud of you and your journal, Brian. It is proof-positive of your standing within the industry and the great appreciation your peers have for all that you do in the wider security community.鈥�

A view from within

Commenting on what is a major achievement, Security Management Today鈥檚 Editor Brian Sims said: 鈥淚 am truly delighted to receive this Award from the security business sector鈥檚 skills and standards-setting body. To be honoured in this way by the sector and its professional individuals and groups has to be the ultimate accolade for any serious Business-2-Business journalist.鈥�