Raising the standard: Reflections on the CSyP journey.

Our series of profiles of practitioners who have achieved Chartered Security Professional status continues with Danny Moody. He  reflects on his career journey, the challenges and lessons of the accreditation process, and how professional recognition continues to shape his approach to leadership and development within the security sector.

My career in security began in 2002 at the London Stock Exchange, where following a departmental restructure, I was appointed Security Manager from within the Property team. Although I was initially promoted on the strength of my operational performance in Business Recovery and Telephone Recording, I quickly recognised the need to build a deeper professional foundation. I proactively engaged with sector forums, including the CoLCPA, worked closely with the City of London Police CTSA (Ian Mansfield), and completed key initiatives such as Project Griffin and Project Argus, alongside several specialist short courses.

After leaving the LSE in 2005, I spent a formative period as Security Contracts Manager at the London Eye, gaining invaluable insight into the contract security landscape. This experience paved the way for my move in 2006 to 30 St Mary Axe, where I spent over a decade, initially managing the outsourced security contract, before being promoted to Head of Security on the client side.

This was a period of significant professional growth. I completed the Security Institute Diploma in Security Management, the IRM International Certificate in Risk Management, and NEBOSH qualifications. For someone who had not been academically inclined earlier in life, these achievements were personally transformative and strengthened my capability as a security leader. My time at 30 St Mary Axe was also defined by collaboration with exceptional leaders across both the security provider and property management sectors.

Following this chapter, I held brief but valuable roles with Pilgrims and Aviva before establishing my own company, Tobruk Protective Security Solutions Ltd, in 2019. Earning my Diploma in Security Management remains a standout achievement; it represented both a personal milestone and a validation of my commitment to professional development. Another defining moment was my promotion to Head of Security at 30 St Mary Axe, transitioning from a contract management role to a senior client side leadership position. Both experiences shaped my confidence and capability within the industry. Being appointed to the COLCPA Committee was also a highlight for me.

I have been fortunate to work with many exceptional leaders throughout my career. One example is Stuart Kedward, whose encouragement was instrumental during my Diploma studies. Stuart’s decision to fund only half of the course upfront with the remainder contingent on passing proved to be a powerful motivator and reinforced the value of accountability in personal development.

When I launched Tobruk, I invested early in high quality professional development, completing the Tavcom Level 5 Security Consultancy course and subsequently undertaking courses in Access Control Design and Corporate Intelligence. However, as the business grew, my own development briefly took a back seat.

Over the years, I had spoken with respected figures in the industry, including Mike Bluestone and Don Randall, about the CSyP pathway, and achieving Chartered status became an aspiration. The accreditation represents both a benchmark of excellence and a commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards. Pursuing CSyP was therefore a natural next step in aligning my personal capabilities with the expectations I set for my business.

I found the CSyP process both challenging and rewarding. Time management, prioritisation, and navigating conflicting advice were ongoing hurdles. In hindsight, I initially failed to make best use of the guidance available to me.

My advice to prospective applicants is simple: engage early with existing CSyPs and seek structured support from the outset. I benefited from the guidance of Carl Dakin earlier in the process but should have better utilised it. Later, the more formal mentoring provided by Charlie Swanson was pivotal in preparing for my successful second interview. Failing the first attempt was humbling but ultimately constructive. Setting yourself up for success means embracing the right advice, remaining open to feedback, and approaching the process with both humility and determination.

Achieving Chartered status is both professionally meaningful and advantageous for the business. It demonstrates resilience, commitment, and the ability to meet a rigorous industry standard. In any sector, chartered recognition signifies an elevated level of competence and integrity. For me, it reinforces the credibility of Tobruk Protective Security Solutions and strengthens the trust placed in us by clients seeking high quality, specialist security expertise.

Find out more about becoming a Chartered Security Professional on the Security Institute website:

www.security-institute.org/csyp