Why we love working in security – part 2
We asked a selection of security professionals from the across the sector to explain their role, why they love working in security and to share a short insightful or funny anecdote. The results are inspiring!
Darcy Fletcher
Company Trainer
I deliver core and enhanced training for our colleagues, customers and communities at CIS Security. This includes first aid, mental health and First Response Emergency Care.
I love working in security because of the diversity of the people you meet! No day is the same!
An interesting thing happened to me one day… whilst supporting one of our portfolios I realised there was a picture of my ancestors hanging up – a full circle moment!!
Joanna Cook
Customer Relationship Director
My role primarily is to ensure long-term customer satisfaction, loyalty, and strategic value. This in turn drives growth and revenue for the company. I am often our on-site attending walk arounds or site surveys with our ops managers and customers. I create structured, persuasive proposal for new business submissions.
I love working in security where the pace is fast and the stakes are high, heading from boardrooms to barriers, I thrive in dynamic environments that demand focus and resilience. I do this in a world where the hi-vis usually comes in one size… male!
I’m proud to bring a fresh female perspective and determination to every challenge and the industry.
One day visiting a site for a walk around. I found myself in an underground vault, it was full of security deposit boxes. I was asked if I wanted to review the procedure of how these boxes were opened, of course I said yes! When we finally managed to open the deposit box… it was full of chocolate coins! A very sweet joke from a highly vigilant and disciplined team.
Helen Clayton
Founder and Director
I recently launched Solstice Risk Advisory following two decades in the retail sector with senior leaderships roles in Boots and Sainsburys, leading crime, security and risk. I am passionate about creating safer, more resilient environments for colleagues, customers, and the wider public.
I love working in security because every decision made and every conversation that takes place, all contribute to people and places being safer, e.g. moving an officer’s shift from one hour to the next can make a huge difference to feeling and fact of crime. All those little and big interactions, advice, investment etc, all together make safer environments for our communities.
Until I started my business, I had been on 24/7 call for 23 years, being available days, nights, weekends, Christmas etc. But it didn’t stop me living my life and dealing with whatever came along, wherever I was at the time.
One Saturday night I was having a meal with friends with lots of Prosecco! I was very smiley put it that way! My work phone rang to inform me that a store had been evacuated due to a threat and I now had to manage the communication to senior leaders and keep them up to date.
I texted our Retail Director and instead of typing ‘your store is shut’, I typed ‘your store is sh*t’ and sent it! We laugh about it now but there’s nothing like a mistake of that nature to ensure your next drink is a coffee!!!
Charlotte Wigg
Head of Crowd Safety and Events
My primary responsibilities include planning, scheduling, and co-ordinating crowd safety events. With the added bonus of working on the ground at many different venues, my role takes me to football stadiums, horse racing, concerts, castles, country clubs, carnivals, colleges, boxing and many more nationwide. I also get the opportunity to upskill frequently, having recently achieved my latest Spectator Safety qualification among other accomplishments.
I love working in the security industry because of the variety. Being granted the opportunity to work at the multiple different venues that we cover, ensuring that we are keeping all spectators across the board safe is a prospect that you don’t get to experience in most other industries. I also find working with the teams on the ground a valuable and meaningful part of the industry and my role.
Being able to help teach and progress individuals to work above and beyond their capabilities allows me to share my experiences and knowledge with the next generation of security professionals, whether they are stewards or SIA Door Supervisors.
Typically, when we work at concerts everyone enjoys themselves and the music, staff included. We are more than happy for our stewards and security officers to have a little dance and to partake in wearing hats and accessories to join in with the crowd and subsequently provide excellent customer service.
However, we do require everyone to be on full alert in case of any incidents. At a recent 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige concert, in a critical moment, I had to make a swift and crucial decision to intervene in order to save the life of a young female attendee. This situation required me to stay calm under pressure, and I remained focused on the safety of the attendee whilst being aware of my surroundings.
This moment of leadership and awareness led to me being presented with a “Hall of Fame Award” from IPSA in July, a true honour.
