Focus on a security professional: Asad Jalil

I met with Asad Jalil on an overcast and wet day at Canary Wharf. Fortunately, the one-station-stop journey only took 3.5 minutes on the Elizabeth Line, with a minute’s walk to 25 Colonnades where Asad works as a Supervisor with Unitrust Security.

When I first walked into the foyer, I was impressed with how I was greeted and engaged with, as were others I saw entering/exiting the building.

Asad has been working at this impressive seventeen-floor development from when it was a building site to where it is now, with full occupancy and a popular street food hall underneath on the concourse level.

Asad’s journey from Security Officer to Security Supervisor started some ten years back. He gained experience in retail, at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Cultural Bureau and at a corporate location in the City of London. In his current role, he has a team of 26, looking after some 2,000 client employees. I asked Asad four key questions:

What is the best thing about your job?

Being part of a great team and engaging with various clients at all levels and, when needed, I get great satisfaction from resolving any issues or difficulties a client may have. We have a great team culture of committed and diverse individuals who are here for each other and work well as a team.

How has your role changed over the years?

From a corporate perspective, security has evolved over the last ten years with technology playing an important part, so you must embrace technology as part of that change to do your job and keep people safe.

The expectations of a client have also changed: aside from being security capable, customer service is an integral part of the role – communication and interaction with the client at all levels along with members of the public is a necessary skill set for today’s professional security officer.

What advice would you give someone looking to seek a career in security?

Aside from working hard and taking a genuine interest in what you do, you need to be culturally aware, be a good listener, be patient and want to learn.

What has been a highlight of your career?

I enjoy the recognition from the client and my manager when the team has performed well.

The following endorsement from Beth Ivens, Asad’s manager, backs up my impression of Asad as a professional security supervisor with an inclusive outlook towards his team and people in general.

“Asad Jalil embodies what every Security Manager would want in their Security Supervisor. Asad is very personable, methodical, and driven, which all of the teams recognise. As Asad’s manager, I trust him entirely and depend upon him. Asad has the respect of our team, the client, and all occupiers, who know what a dependable and friendly person he is. I would love for Asad to be recognised for all that he does that is clear to see and all that he does that is behind closed doors but keeps the cogs smoothly turning.”

Thank you for your time, Asad it was a pleasure to meet you.

Graham Bassett                                                                                                                                            Editorial Team.