The British Security Industry Association (BSIA), in conjunction with SMT Select, recently introduced a series of monthly Industry Leader Briefings meetings, aimed at bringing closer together senior management from within the BSIA’s membership with key figures from government and industry. These meetings come at a very interesting time, following the Government’s announcement of future changes to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and the Public Spending Review, and are part of the BSIA’s continuous effort towards improving the interaction between its members and key industry figures and influencers involved in the security industry.

Featuring guest speakers covering topics of relevance to the security industry, the breakfast briefings, held on a monthly basis in the SMT headquarters in London, are open to BSIA members only, and allow attendees to pose their own questions and dictate the direction of the presentation.

So far, three very successful meetings have taken place. The first two featured Liz Siberry from the Centre for the Protection of the National Infrastructure (CPNI), and Bill Butler from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) as guest speakers, whilst the latest one, held Friday the 19th of November, saw Professor Martin Gill from Perpetuity Research speaking on the results of his recent research into police perceptions of working with the private security industry.

BSIA member Patrick Toyne-Sewell is a regular attendee and commented “I find the Industry Leader Briefings very stimulating; the strategic level of speakers invited meant that issues discussed have been very useful and relevant to the industry. I look forward to continuing attending as many of the meetings as possible in the future”.

The briefings are likely to continue on a monthly basis throughout 2011.

For more information about the BSIA or to enquire about becoming a BSIA member visit the BSIA’s website.

reads like a meeting of the doomed..