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28-30 April 2026
NEC Birmingham
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28-30 April 2026 | NEC Birmingham
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As part of Professional Security Officer Live, this theatre will examine the latest policies, evolving demands, risk environments and challenges facing security guarding today.
Featuring keynotes, case studies and presentations tailored to upskill and educate, this is a must-see conference for all professional security officers.
Women on the Frontline is a powerful platform that centres HERstory, giving voice to the lived experiences and life-saving impact of women working in frontline security. By sharing their stories, this initiative not only recognises their contribution but also strengthens learning, visibility, and respect across the sector.
The fire and security sector is facing a critical skills challenge, but the solution lies in collaboration between industry leaders and emerging talent. This session brings together senior leadership and apprentices to share real-world perspectives on developing the future workforce. David Scott, Managing Director of Skills for Security, will provide insight into the evolving skills landscape, the importance of structured training pathways, and how employers can build sustainable talent pipelines. He will be joined by apprentices Ethan Girling and Josef Rooney-McGee, who will share their personal journeys into the industry, their experiences of training, and what motivates the next generation of security professionals.
Beyond the logistics of crowd safety, Tia is deeply committed to the "human" side of the industry. Mental health awareness is the heartbeat of her work. She believes we often underestimate the profound impact mental well-being has on our daily lives and professional performance.
She is particularly passionate about Men’s Mental Health, due to having lost three men in 2024 to suicide, one of which was in the industry - this is an area she feels is still critically underserved. Having a various initiatives and discussions in this space, she is a firm advocate for breaking the silence and helping people speak. Her goal is to normalize these conversations, ensuring that whether we are at a festival or in a training room, the mental health of our community is always a priority.
Because no guard should carry the weight of their struggles alone. This first-of-its-kind campaign confronts male suicide in the security industry, shining a light on the mental health challenges faced by frontline security officers and calling for collective responsibility to protect those who protect us every day.
This panel is not about policy, training standards, or organisational process.
It is about the minute none of us can predict.
The Empty Minute is the space between something going wrong and meaningful help arriving. You never know when it will happen, who it will happen to, or whether it will involve a stranger, a colleague, a friend, or someone you love.
For some people, it lasts seconds.
For others, it lasts a lifetime.
Drawing on lived experience, expert witness insight, and leadership from across the security and safety profession, Hosted by Marie Tyler, Executive Director of IPSA:
Ian Fox – Empty Minute initiative creator, Satia Rai, CEO of IPSA, and Eric Stuart QPM, former Chair of the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association, explore:
Eric will reflect on the first Empty Minute story and what incident investigations repeatedly reveal: that the most consequential decisions are often made by people who never expected to be decision-makers at all.
This is a conversation about vulnerability, responsibility, and the uncomfortable truth that when something happens, the person who lives with it afterwards might be you.
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