Andy Topp Archives - Corps Security

Corps Security Awarded Prestigious Contract At The National Archives

Corps Security has been appointed as the new security provider for The National Archives, the UK government’s official archive and publisher, which holds one of the largest and most significant collections in the world.

The new partnership sees 12 new colleagues joining Corps Security. These dedicated professionals will be responsible for all security services across The National Archives’ Kew site, a public-facing, high-profile environment that combines heritage, education, and operational excellence.

The National Archives is home to over 1,000 years of iconic records, ranging from the Domesday Book to modern government documents. The site is not only an archival facility but also a busy destination for researchers, students, and visitors from across the globe.

Corps will deliver a tailored solution that balances robust protection with a strong customer-service ethos, reflecting the diverse user base of the Kew site. The service delivery will be underpinned by Corps’ commitment to social value, staff wellbeing, and inclusive recruitment, while embracing innovation in security operations.

Andy Topp, sales & marketing director at Corps Security, said: “We are delighted to partner with The National Archives to help protect the nation’s historical memories. This contract reflects our deep experience in working within the government and heritage sectors, which comprises some of the UK’s most treasured institutions, and our commitment to delivering professional, welcoming, and vigilant security services in distinctive locations across the UK.”

Mark Newman, head of estates and facilities at The National Archives, said: “We are looking forward to working with Corps Security and to building on and developing further our already excellent security services.”

About Corps Security:

The Corps of Commissionaires Management Limited (Corps Security), is a certified social enterprise that was initially created to provide employment for ex-servicemen on return from the Crimean War. Corps Security is the only major social enterprise security provider in the UK and has been providing dedicated security services for over 160 years. Services include security guarding, state-of-the-art monitoring, electronic solutions and security risk management reviews incorporating specialised consultancy services to deliver effective asset protection to organisations.

Corps Security is a Living Wage Recognised Service Provider and Corps Security’s CEO Mike Bullock is a member of the Living Wage Foundation’s Recognised Service Provider Leadership Group.

Corps Security supports military charities in particular Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), the UK’s oldest national tri-service military charity and BLESSMA, the limbless veterans charity. In 2021, Corps was awarded Gold status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community.

September 2, 2025/by Corps Security

Corps Security Blog

Navigating An Uncertain World

In a world where the only certainty is uncertainty, security professionals face unprecedented challenges. The recent Global Risks Report 2025 paints a stark picture of our increasingly fractured society.

In partnership with Toro Solutions, The Institute of Strategic Risk Management and MX4 Foundation, Corps were proud to take part in this expert panel discussion hosted in January.

With representatives from the security industry, including our Executive Director Mike Bluestone and Director of Corps Consult Neil Shanks, we were delighted to take part in an extremely thought-provoking panel discussion. It which was moderated by Corps’ Sales and Marketing Director Andy Topp.

Together, the panel reflected on the crucial insights about the future of security and risk management from the Global Risks Report 2025 and debated the current challenges and solutions.

How has the security industry changed in 2025?

It’s clear that the world is changing at a rapid rate. Exacerbated weather events, increasing conflicts and the polarisation of society make vigilance a constant requirement. Risks are becoming more interconnected, unprecedented, and difficult to navigate. With heightened tensions and new methods of offence, there’s a multitude of factors the security industry needs to adapt to. The traditional frameworks and tools the industry has used in the past to understand and manage risks were designed for a different era. They are no longer fit for purpose in the modern day.

Treating physical and cyber security as separate fields is no longer appropriate. Attackers are now blending their tactics, using both physical and digital methods of offense. This new method requires a fundamental shift in how the security industry approaches all facets of security.

How are standards changing the security industry?

Martyn’s Law has the potential to mark a watershed moment for UK security, introducing mandatory requirements for physical security measures in events spaces to enhance public safety. The panel highlighted the need for clear, actionable standards for resilience. These standards must bridge the gap between cyber and physical domains, creating a unified framework that organisations can adopt.

Building resilience in security

The panel agreed that resilience is critical in an increasingly volatile world and businesses must consider three key factors:

What risks will most hurt?
What policies, processes, and training will prepare us?
How can we move from a reactive to a proactive approach to security?

The key to building resilience in security, is to undertake scenario planning. This helps colleagues pre-prepare their responses and build the required muscle memory. This testing should also be part of ongoing training.

How do we cultivate the next generation of security officers?

It’s important that the security field comprises more young people, women and diverse voices from a multitude of backgrounds to better represent the communities we protect. The panel talked about the fact that security is often seen as a second-choice career, rather than a first choice calling and this must change. The consensus was that the industry must unite and speak with one voice if it is to evolve.

Security providers need to create initiatives to attract diverse talent, invest in training and modernise perceptions of the industry to make security a career of choice. The next generation of security professionals must be agile and equipped to thrive in a converged, fast-changing world.

Ready to build a secure future for your organisation?

As one of our panel experts noted, “We’re in a Darwinian stage of evolution” in security. Companies that adapt will thrive; those that don’t, face heightened risks. It’s no longer enough to operate alone. Our industry must work as one to develop the right strategies, and work from an integrated mindset. This moves us from survival to adaptation.

Are you looking to enhance your security operations? We have the expertise, resources, and vision to help you succeed. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your future.

February 17, 2025/by Corps Security

Tour De Corps Deliver Cheque For Over £11000 To Combat Stress

Corps Security Blog

Tour De Corps Delivers Cheque For Over £11,000 To Combat Stress

Corps were delighted to present a large cheque to leading veteran’s mental health charity, Combat Stress, at their supporters’ dinner in London. The Tour De Corps team raised over £11,000 for the charity in April by cycling from Glasgow to London during a gruelling 7-day challenge.

Our colleagues cycled the length of the country, beginning at the Corps Monitoring Alarm Receiving Centre in Glasgow, and visiting all local branch offices of Corps Security on the way, including Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, until reaching the finish line in Farringdon, London, 7 days later.

Andy Topp, Sales and Marketing Director at Corps Security and participant on the Tour De Corps challenge commented: “We were delighted to attend the fundraising dinner for Combat Stress in May and felt this provided the perfect opportunity to present our Tour de Corps cheque. We would like to thank the amazing riders for such a stella effort, and to all those who sponsored us throughout the week, which saw us surpass our initial £5,000 target at the beginning of the challenge and passing our secondary target of £10,000 by the end of day 7. Every penny raised will support UK veterans with their mental health, and in particular their families to help those veterans integrate into civilian life.”

Combat Stress’ annual Supporters Dinner provides the charity with the opportunity to thank their supporters, whilst raising money through speeches, an auction and silent auction which raises thousands of pounds to support the essential work of the charity.

As a Social Enterprise, we made a commitment to Combat Stress alongside a few other charities, in support of UK veterans, with some customers donating 1% of their contract value to the charity every year.

May 24, 2023/by Corps Security

Corps Security Blog

Corps Security’s Comments On The Budget 2023

Andy Topp, Sales and Marketing Director at Corps Security

Corps Security welcomes some of the highlights from the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement (March 2023), predominantly the announcements designed to cut the costs to our colleagues’ way of life with the rising cost of living.

For Colleagues:

Corps Security will continue to support colleagues with the cost-of-living crisis, especially our core contract staff, who have been significantly affected by rising energy and fuel prices. In recent weeks we have launched new benefits, a discount scheme and a raft of internal communications to help our colleagues budget, find advice and feel supported.

For Businesses:

Whilst the budget was favourable to our colleagues, the support for businesses in the FM and Security sectors was minimal.

With the Treasury continuing with the Corporation Tax rise to 25% from 19%, many of our customers are directly impacted. The knock-on effect will be that these companies will have to reduce investment across their businesses, reducing investment in essential focuses such as ESG and Corporate Sustainability. In turn, we will see contract values adversely challenged, meaning stunted growth in a sector already challenged with staff shortages and a lack of wage growth with many contracted workers still not being paid at least the real Living Wage. This is very disappointing, and we hope to see additional investment in the business sector to counter this growing issue.

The final comment I would like to make is around ‘Returnships’. The security and FM sectors have huge skills gaps and recruitment is an ongoing issue. We, therefore, welcome the measures to get the “experienced” people in the over 50s category back into work; however, we will refrain from further comment until the Treasury has fleshed out the training and support programme that it has alluded to.

Corps Security will continue to work with our customers to ensure we can provide as a minimum, the real Living Wage for our contract colleagues and improve efficiencies and the effectiveness of our services to ensure the opportunity to raise colleague pay remains a viable option. Our teams will collaborate with all stakeholders over the coming weeks to provide assistance and discuss the implications of the budget on them.

March 22, 2023/by Corps Security

Corps Security Press Releases

Andy Topp Joins Corps Security

Corps Security has appointed Andy Topp as its new sales director. Topp will work with executive director Mark Rogers and the rest of the senior leadership team to broaden the company’s approach and develop new market sectors – particularly those interested in a more ethical approach to procurement now that Corps is a social enterprise.

Topp has more than 20 years’ experience in the security and facilities management industry, having held senior roles with Reliance Security Services, Securitas Security Services and ISS Facility Services where he was most recently national sales director – single service for 10 years.

Andy Topp said: “I am thrilled to be joining Corps Security. As the only major social enterprise in the security sector, it is completely unique, and I look forward to helping to grow the organisation and thereby increase its positive impact on the local communities in which it works.”

Mike Bullock, CEO of Corps Security commented: “I’m delighted that Andy is joining us and bringing with him a wealth of senior experience in our sector. His ability to work at both a strategic and tactical level to deliver results will be a significant boost to the team.”

January 10, 2022/by Corps Security

Posts

Corps Security Awarded Prestigious Contract At The National Archives

Navigating An Uncertain World

How has the security industry changed in 2025?