Successful Security Career Event: UCL and City of London Crime Prevention Association Collaboration
On 11 February 2025, the UCL Department of Security and Crime Science, in collaboration with CoLCPA, hosted a highly successful event, “Navigating your career after security and crime science”.
The event at the University College London, attended by approximately 100 students and staff, including its head of security Oliver Curran, and representatives of the City of London Crime Prevention Association (CoLCPA), provided valuable insights into various career paths within the security and crime prevention sectors.
Don Randall MBE, Chair of CoLCPA, welcomed attendees and highlighted the event’s importance as part of an ongoing scheme allowing UCL students to attend monthly CoLCPA meetings. He praised the energy, enthusiasm, and partnership approach evident at the gathering.
Speaker Highlights
The event featured six professionals from diverse backgrounds, offering students a comprehensive view of potential career paths:
- Jessica Woodcock (Hertfordshire Police): A trainee detective on a two-year programme, Woodcock shared her experiences of day-to-day detective work, including handling missing person cases and manhunts.
- Nick Fullick (Securitas UK): Representing the Risk Intelligence Centre, Fullick explained the role of an analyst and emphasised the importance of flexibility and meeting short deadlines. He advised students to research job requirements using OSINT and to proofread their applications carefully.
- Octavia Brooke-Turner (PwC): Brooke-Turner discussed her role in travel risk management, highlighting the scale of PwC’s operations and her responsibilities in providing travel information, advice, and security risk assessments.
- Matthew Eccles (City of London Police): Eccles shared insights on cybercrime and the Cyber Griffin programme. He recommended various training pathways and certifications, including CompTIA, CISM, and CISMP, encouraging students to pursue extra-curricular work in the field.
- Leo Kelly (Hammersmith & Fulham Council): Kelly represented the Emergency Planning team, providing insights into public sector security roles.
- Letitia Emeana (Unilever): Emeana, who holds ASIS CPP, PSP, and CISMP certifications, discussed her strategic role at Unilever. She emphasised the importance of curiosity, networking, and passion in building a successful career in security.
Event Impact
The event received positive feedback from attendees, who appreciated the quality of speakers and the opportunity to learn about diverse roles within the security sector. City Security magazine was available as a resource for students, further enhancing the educational value of the event.
As the security landscape continues to evolve, events like these play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of security professionals to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
Thank you, Danny Moody CSyP, MSyl, RISC, Graham Bassett MSyI, and Martin Lo for organising such a positive event, and Matt Ashby for the photographs.
Andrea Berkoff
Editor
