Security Officer Appreciation Week Archives

Celebrating Security Officer Appreciation Week

Pictured: Emma Collinson with the CVA, Rico Hyman, Grant Mitchell, and Dale Kirk.

Join us in celebrating the International Security Officer Appreciation Week.

Over the last few years, we have seen increasing demand for security officers to adapt within a hugely advancing industry, including vast technological advancements, increasing public-facing roles, and cyber threats.

The rising need for private security collaboration with public services has expanded the remit of our officers, whose 24/7 surveillance is no longer limited to physical sites. Collaboration with the police, ambulance and fire services has become one of the many daily contributions that security officers make to the smooth running of society.

Emma Collinson playing the Last Post to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day.

Key ingredients for success

The traits of a successful security officer are not easy to come by: calm but authoritative, vigilant and focused, dynamic to both mitigation and response.

Thank you to our 3,000 Corps security officers across the UK who proudly stand among 500,000 SIA licensed officers. Your daily efforts save lives, protect British infrastructure, and constantly adapt to unprecedented change.

Here are just a few stories that show our incredible officers in action.

Bill Boateng and Rico Hyman

Bill and Rico were awarded the ACS Pacesetters Security Officer of Distinction Award. At the Royal Windsor Racecourse awards ceremony, the two officers were recognised for their extraordinary courage and professionalism while faced with challenging incidents.

Bill bravely disarmed a knife-wielding assailant during a violent incident in London, protecting bystanders and preserving vital forensic evidence.

Rico and a colleague were among the first responder to an incident near Somerset House, delivering CPR and managing the scene.

Their bravery and collaboration with public services earned them Colleague of the Month Awards.

Emma Collinson

Emma joined the Corps Veterans Association on a journey of remembrance through Normandy to mark the 81^st anniversary of D-Day. As well as being a security officer at one of our Centrica sites, Emma served as a member of the RAF from 1998 to 2011. The team walked 27 kilometres, raising £1,360 for Rhondda Sea Cadets.

With 19.4% of our workforce made up of veterans and former emergency service responders, veteran causes are very close to our hearts. We support thousands of veterans every year through our fundraising, and our Corps Veteran Association has become a community for veterans like Emma.

Emma’s commitment to commemorating D-Day and supporting the new generation of cadets makes her a credit to us.

Kevin Byrne

Ian Paton, from Unimetals, praised Kevin for his “invaluable” dedication and professionalism when helping with often short-notice and high importance requests. Ian said: “Despite my sometimes urgent and rushed requests Kevin has always come over as calm, competent and very professional and managed to find and obtain the evidence I have needed.”

He adds: “I wanted to make sure you know what a star you have there”.

“That is not to take anything away from others, just in this instance he was a godsend send to me and a fantastic ambassador for both Corps and the Unimetals desk, which did not go without notice by my line manager.”

Eric Lakidi

Eric Lakidi, Concierge Officer at Addleshaw Goddard (AG), has been awarded for his commitment, professionalism, and warmth that make a lasting impression every single day.

Last month, he was nominated for a Gold Coin Award, part of the AG recognition scheme, in recognition of the exceptional service he consistently delivers.

From the moment clients and colleagues walk through our doors, Eric ensures they feel truly welcomed and valued. His proactive approach set the tone for a positive experience that reflects the high standards AG strives to uphold.

Eric seamlessly distinguishes between clients and colleagues as they arrive, quickly alerting reception so the client journey begins smoothly and without interruption. The wider team also uphold these high standards, delivering exceptional service whenever Eric is away from reception.

His dedication makes him an invaluable member of the team, embodying the spirit of excellence this week celebrates.

Grant Mitchell and Dale Kirk

Grant, a member of our Corps Monitoring Alarm Receiving Centre in Glasgow, walked 5 kilometres to support the National Autistic Society. He was joined by his five-year-old daughter, Amber, who is non-verbal autistic.

Dale walked 26.2 miles along the Rochdale Canal on 26^th July, raising over £2,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. He walked in honour of Paul Minor, a former firefighter and veteran diagnosed with MND.

We are proud to have colleagues who mirror our social values and celebrate Grant and Dale this week.

Next steps in security

Ensuring other people’s safety is becoming more complex every year. Officers are more than the unmoving people guarding properties, they need to liaise with the general public, emergency services, mobile reporting, to understand complex threats.

From strengthened communications to continuing professional development, Corps remains committed to equipping our officers with the best training and support they need to keep British people and infrastructure safe.

Use this week to celebrate the unseen efforts of security officers throughout the UK. It is our responsibility to ensure that we support and champion those who dedicate their careers to keeping other people safe.

Stay up to date with our officers on our LinkedIn or our blogs page.

September 12, 2025/by Corps Security

Corps Security Blog

Event Recap: Thank Your Security Officer Day 2020

Last Thursday 17^th September marked Corps’ second annual Thank Your Security Officer Day as part of the wider Security Officer Appreciation Week.

This day of recognition provided us with the perfect platform to acknowledge and thank the hard work and dedication of all of our security officers, particularly over the past six months.

Last week, our SMT, HR team, contract managers and account managers were out and about up and down the country visiting our sites to give thanks to our officers where it is truly due. Sadly, we couldn’t visit all sites, but the team got around as many as they could and enjoyed a catch up and a cuppa with our frontline staff.

Our visiting teams sent us photos and their wonderful words of appreciation for our officers. We were overwhelmed with positive responses. Our clients also got involved and we received so many fantastic words of praise and compliments for the service our colleagues have delivered. Our client at Eversheds Sutherland even made sure our officers were all rewarded with a gift as a token of their appreciation.

As we transition once again to a work from home strategy following the latest government guidance, our officers will be once again the last people standing in many buildings – closing down facilities, supporting skeleton staff ensuring that they feel safe and protected.

We couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated colleagues and we’d like to take this opportunity once again to say thank you to our frontline workers, the people who keep our buildings and people safe and secure.

Search #thankyoursecurityofficer on Twitter and LinkedIn to read words of sincere thanks from our own teams and our clients for our second annual Corps Thank Your Security Officer Day celebration.

Here are just a few comments:

“Would like to thank all the security team who work at Kindeva Drug Delivery, Loughborough. They are reliable and keep our site safe and secure. I would particularly like to thank the Security Manager for the site, Wes King! He does an amazing job, supports the site in so many ways and supports his own team on site too. We are going through many changes here in Loughborough and times are uncertain, but Wes has continued to drive a great service and helped with a new security project on site. We would be lost without Wes and the team. Thank you all!”

Vicki Loach – UK EHS Manager, Kindeva Drug Delivery

“During the last six months our colleagues on all our sites have continued to deliver the exceptional service that is expected of a Corps Security Officer, and, for some of these colleagues, in the most trying of circumstances. I would like to say thank you to all the Security Officers who work for Corps not only in the South Region but across the whole of the UK.”

Paul Cloke – Regional Manager – South, Corps Security

“We would like to thank the security team for their excellent work over the past year especially since March when they remained on campus and helped with keeping the campus open for vulnerable students and contractors for essential building works.

And of course, the many other tasks asked of them. We have had nothing but praise for their dedication and work ethic.”

Middlesex University

“Our facilities and security team in Oxford, Dan Preston, Lewis Baker and Peter Merritt have all achieved fantastic results over the last 12 months with successful events and rallies across the UK and Europe alongside our client. During lockdown they assisted the client in delivering equipment as staff worked from home and ensured the smooth set up of making the building Covid secure. Great work team we are all really proud of the fantastic work you are doing.”

Jake Lacey – Contracts Manager, Corps Security

“I wanted to personally thank Arnie, Mo, Paul and Rizwan for all of their continued support and vigilance especially during the last challenging months where activity and behaviour in the office has changed dramatically.

Arnie in particular has seen a great deal of change to his role during the day and has stepped up to the challenge which we are very grateful for. Equally Paul, Mo and Rizwan have continued to adapt and look after our requests outside of the core offices hours. Many thanks to you all too.

You’ll find individual boxes of chocolates for each of you at the front desk.

Keep up the great work!”

Wayne Quigg – Senior Facilities Manager, International Operations, Eversheds Sutherland

September 24, 2020/by Corps Security

Corps Security Blog

Today Is Thank Your Security Officer Day 2020

Today we are celebrating Thank Your Security Officer Day as part of Security Officer Appreciation Week.

Up and down the country, the Corps Security management team has been travelling to client sites to acknowledge and thank the important security staff that keep us, the workplaces and buildings we occupy safe and secure.

Please continue to join us in showing appreciation to your security staff this ‘Thank Your Security Officer Day’ and share your messages via #thankyoursecurityofficer on social media. We have been inundated with wonderful feedback, comments and photos which we are sharing on Twitter and LinkedIn some of which you can find below:

“All of us at Wood Green Hall would like to thank our dedicated security staff who have stood by us during hard times and difficult situations. We want Christian, Marek and Kandza to know that we greatly appreciate them and all their hard work. They’ve become part of the Wood Green Hall
family and we are so grateful to them and for the service they provide. Whether it be rain, storms, snow, wind, heatwaves or emergencies, they’re always there ready to serve. We THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOU!” – Remi Banjo, Accommodation Manager Commercial Services, Wood Green Hall

“I would just like to formally write to acknowledge the excellent work that the security officers provide on behalf of Facilities Services at client sites in Cardiff, Kingswood and Hove. It would be wrong to pick one officer in particular, as they all go above and beyond their duties and are always willing to adapt and carry out whatever task is requested of them. During the recent months and the changes required to comply with Covid-19, every single officer has continued to perform their tasks with professionalism and sensitivity and have been instrumental in creating a safe working environment for our customers.” – Graham Beswick, Senior Contracts Manager, Kier Group

“During the pandemic, Building Manager Chris Webster at Pinnacle, Leeds showed immense capabilities to adapt quickly to the new Covid-19 restrictions and kept the building accessible to both clients and visitors. I thank you Chris for your hard work and dedication and going the extra mile to meet the requirements of the clients. We really appreciate it.” – Shahrukh Kayani, Corps Building Manager, Corps Security

#thankyoursecurityofficer

September 17, 2020/by Corps Security

Corps Security Blog

Thank Your Security Officer Day 2020

Security Officer Appreciation Week this year is taking place on 13-19th September. It is an international week of recognition and provides a great opportunity to acknowledge and thank the important security staff that keep us, the workplaces and buildings we occupy safe and secure.

For the second year running, Corps Security is excited to host ‘Thank Your Security Officer Day’, this year on Thursday 17th September, to give thanks to our dedicated security colleagues where it is truly due. Security can often be an invisible and thankless task and Corps Security wants to bring security officers out from the shadows and honour those who work around the clock to ensure the safety of everyone within the premises they work.

The past six months have been particularly challenging, and our security officers have been on the front-line of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Government’s decision to classify SIA licence-holding security professionals as critical workers has meant that in many cases they were the last people standing in many buildings – closing down facilities, supporting skeleton staff, getting premises ready for reopening and generally supporting people as they navigate the new workplace normal.

This year, members of the senior management team will be visiting some of our sites to recognise the hard work of our teams and show our appreciation. We are also inviting all of our clients to participate and would like you all to join us in showing appreciation to your security staff this ‘Thank Your Security Officer Day’. Please do share your messages via #thankyoursecurityofficer on social media.

September 10, 2020/by Corps Security

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Celebrating Security Officer Appreciation Week