| London Business Network Events: Securing the London 2012 Games |
 On 4 February, over 200 members of the UK’s security industry gathered in the capital for a London 2012 Security Briefing. The event, organised by the London Business Network, provided a platform to update the Security sector on Olympic strategy and planning. It also looked specifically at the opportunities for collaboration with business now and at Games time.Speakers included the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Security and Counter Terrorism, Admiral Lord West, who, along with his colleague Charles Farr, Director General of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism, spoke candidly about the importance of engaging with the security industry in planning and delivering a safe and secure Games in 2012. Businesses keen to communicate with the Home Office on 2012 Security planning are encouraged to do so through the British Security Industry Association and the Industry Advisory Groups (AIGs) established by RISC (Resilience Industry Suppliers’ Council). Andrew Amery from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games (LOCOG) also spoke at the event. Andrew was responsible for devising the 2012 Security Plan at the Olympic bid stage and is now in charge of implementing LOCOG’s security strategy. Whilst stating that the private security industry had a vital role to play in the Games, Andy also highlighted the need for LOCOG to maximise the in-kind benefits presented by official 2012 sponsors. Andy also stressed the importance of balancing a cost effective solution with robust and ‘market ready’ innovative technology. For a copy of Andrew Amery’s presentation please click here. Attendees also heard from Stephen Cooper, Head of Security at the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The ODA is responsible for securing the Olympic Park during the construction phase and to ensure the new buildings and infrastructure are secure by design. Stephen provided an update on the status of the ODA Security packages announced to-date: Security Guarding: Awarded – G4S Security Services (UK) Ltd Access Controls: Invitation to Tender – Reliance High Tech Ltd, Unisys Command & Perimeter Security Systems: Invitation to Tender – Chubb Electronic Security Systems Ltd, Honeywell Building Solutions, Motorola, Reliance High-Tech Ltd, Siemends Building Technologies Security Systems Ltd. Search & Screening: Invitation to Tender – Finmeccanica UK, KeTech Defence Ltd, Rapiscan Systems, Serco, Smiths, Detection International For a copy of Stephen’s presentation please click here. The CompeteFor Buyer Engagement Team will be working with G4S and the other successful 2012 contract winners to identify supply chain opportunities to post on the CompeteFor site. Businesses are reminded to check the CompeteFor website regularly and complete and publish their full business profile to ensure they do not miss out on these security related supply chain opportunities. |
