The Security Circle
An IFPOD production for IFPO the very first security podcast called Security Circle. IFPO is the International Foundation for Protection Officers, and is an international security membership body that supports front line security professionals with learning and development, mental Health and wellbeing initiatives.
The Security Circle
EP 088 ASIS UK Chair Letitia Emeana and Tim Molden Share The Magic Of Security Membership And Why Security Professionals Keep Coming Back
BIOS
Letitia Emeana is a true leader in the Security Industry and a security professional with over 20 years of experience. Letitia has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share. She holds global security qualifications from ASIS and IT Governance and has held leadership positions at top companies like Tesla, Amazon, and Lloyds Banking Group.
As the ASIS UK Chapter Chair and Global Security Capability Manager at Unilever, Letitia is a passionate advocate for putting people at the heart of her work. She has been instrumental in promoting diversity and establishing Women's Security groups at Amazon, Tesla, and Unilever.
With a background in global security at all levels, Letitia has a broad appreciation of supplier capability, corporate thinking, changing threats, and new technologies. She combines this with the latest thinking on coaching, facilitation, and innovation to maximize success.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/letitia-emeana-global-security-professional-cpp-psp-cismp/
Tim Molden is Head of Security & Licensing for Capital Arches Group, McDonald’s overseeing 37 restaurants across London and Essex. Prior to this he was The Director of Security for The Savoy Hotel, responsible for all Security Operations, Health & Safety and Fire Safety. Prior to joining The Savoy, Tim served in The Metropolitan Police where he was the lead planner for hotels for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, London 2012 Olympic Games, State Visit of President Obama and was the Business Engagement Lead in Westminster. He is a Board Director for ASIS UK, Chair of Membership and a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals and is a Board Director of Team London Bridge Business Improvement District.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmolden/
Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers
If you enjoy the security circle podcast, please like share and comment or even better. Leave us a Fabry view. We can be found on all podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe. The security circle every Thursday. We love Thursdays. Hi, this is Yolanda Welcome, welcome to, the Security Circle podcast. IFPO is the International Foundation for Protection Officers and we're dedicated to providing meaningful education, information and certification for all levels of security personnel and make a positive difference to our members mental health and well being. Our listeners are global. They are the decision makers of tomorrow. And we want to thank you wherever you are for being a part of the Security Circle journey. Thank you for your company. I have with me today two very special guests, Letitia and Tim, representing chapter the UK chapter of ASIS. Both of you, welcome to the Security Circle podcast.
Tim:Hey, yo, yo. Thanks. Thanks, Yolanda. Great welcome.
it's great to have you both on, and I think, I mean, the fact that we are an IFPRO product and you're with ASIS, I'm an ASIS member, that's just evidence of the fact that not only do our membership bodies work really well together, you've put quite a lot of time into collaborating yourselves, haven't you, Tim, for example, with other membership bodies. Talk to us about why being ASIS board really buzzes your tower.
Tim:Yeah, I like buzzes your tower. Don't use that phrase. I don't think I've ever used that phrase. So I'm going to steal that one. I've been a member of Asis or ASIS for nearly 10 years now. And I did that from a real perspective of leaving my career in policing, wanting to really build a network of security professionals that I perhaps Didn't really have previously. and what really buzzes me about ASIS is that connection with not just people in the UK, but that global reach. So for me, although my day job isn't a global one, I'm fascinated by people's responsibility in other countries and connecting people and just really being that, that conduit between, people that need that network globally. So I love meeting people and dealing with them. So that's what I've really. Enjoyed. And I know Letitia does as well, but I'd love to hear. from her perspective, what she really feels about it as well.
Letitia:Yeah, I, I'm, I'm laughing because I think I first joined almost 20 years ago now, ASIS UK. Um, and I joined because back then there really wasn't, anything obvious other than just going to seminars where you would meet people and get to know about This security industry because it was broader than what I was doing, but I didn't know that and I think going to these types of meetings where you can strike up friendships and lifelong friendships as we have in a SIS, and it broadens your awareness and and experiences. But as I've grown through these 20 years with ASIS and becoming the chapter chair, for me, what was super important is the people. I'm so passionate in my day job as well as just in life. I love people and love seeing what motivates them, what drives them. And for me, the ASIS role and what we try to do is give that same feeling to every member when they come to our events. So for me, it's recreating the network and the value that Tim's mentioned, which is you have global accessibility to peers and experience and knowledge globally. So as a global role in my daytime, this is so super helpful to have that. Um, but also it's about taking knowledge and learning from those wider communities and bringing it back into the UK, which really makes us diverse and inclusive, if I believe.
So you've been the chapter chair now haven't you for a couple of years and we know with all ASIS boards there's a limited tenure. Talk to us about what your vision was. What you've achieved and what your succession plan is for the future. Is it with us today?
Letitia:So it's, it's actually, let's start off with succession planning because that was kind of where I've come in to a reinvigorated ASIS board. There was a lot of, structure and framework put in place, uh, from sort of 2018 through to 2020, which is when I started my, tenure in 2021. So it was a great foundation for me to springboard from with a lot of hard work from all the years of evolution. Because it's a volunteer organization and all of our board members are volunteers, this is probably why that wheels may appear to turn a little bit slowly under ASIS UK. But I can absolutely say with complete conviction that during my tenure, and I've served four years at the end of this year, We have come night and day in my opinion. We've really put a lot of structure in place. We've got a lot of governance now in how we operate. I think we set off with some clear goals, in the first year, which was to grow, support and retain. So whatever we focused on, we wanted to attach ourselves to a pillar so that we were always driving towards a set agenda. Which is to grow not only the chapter, but the growth of individuals and their careers. We wanted to support people in their roles and support the strength of the chapter with education and learning and development. But also to retain associations are only here because people are engaged and they get value. So we need to retain that and find ways that really inspire and also give people what they want. Do you know what I mean? So that's. That's, that's as a board what we try to do to make sure we're relevant.
And Tim, you've been on the board now quite a long time. You stalwart you. I had this with Matthew Porcelli. He has a great voluntary career, uh, that's running alongside his. His normal pay PAYE career. You're pretty much doing the same thing. Do you see yourself being in the top seat one day?
Tim:I certainly haven't ruled it out. I I've gone on a bit, a bit of a, for want of a better phrase, I don't actually like this phrase, but I'm going to use it. I've gone on a bit of a journey in my time with ASIS, on the board. I, I, I was really encouraged and I need to, I guess, give a, a nod to, Some of the Letitia's predecessors, but but in terms of David Clark, God rest his soul who really introduced me to ASIS UK and really encouraged me to join and get fully involved. And gave me a role on at that point. It was a sort of what we called an operating board sort of a support role on the on. To the main board. Um, and that's what gave me the buzz. That's what got me involved and and kind of really loved meeting new people and doing some stuff for voluntarily for the UK board. So, um, I then took on membership a few years later on the main board and. Yeah, I like, I'm involved with membership with other associations as well, and I think that is probably my, my passion, my, a big gift of mine, I believe, is, is to really kind of network and put people together and almost generate numbers. We're not all about numbers, but it's, it's a big part of obviously ASIS International in terms of getting membership. So I really feel like I've played my part in supporting, you know, ASIS International with that. Um, But after like most things, after doing that for a few years, your knowledge has grown as Letitia mentioned. We've definitely got some really good governance and structure now and plans in place that actually if Letitia and I disappear tomorrow, people can come in and, and really kind of hit the ground running with what we have in place. So that, that is a real positive, I think, and it's credit to Letitia and some other people before her for what they've done with that. Um, but I wanted more and I wanted to felt that I had the experience to really kind of support the UK board a bit more. Thank you. So I took on the chapter secretary role in, November last year, if I've got my dates right, in terms of election and then sort of fully from the start of this year. So that, you know, one of the main sort of exec board roles really gave me a bit more of an insight into what makes the board tick and what's involved. And even myself, who's been involved for a number of years. didn't really appreciate the additional work that goes on from some of the main board members and have been that support to the new ones that have come on board as well.
That was the role that Caroline Batchford did for years, wasn't it? And there must have been some big, well, I wouldn't say big shoes to fill. There's some little shoes to fill.
Tim:Yeah. we had some transitions with that role. Caroline, unofficially was that role, I guess, for a number of years, but actually she didn't really officially do the role or was co opted into the role sort of towards the end of 2023, middle of 2023. Caroline's been a great support and still is to the chapter. So I was able to have a great handover from her in terms of what's required. We hopefully I've brought some stability to that role this year because we, yeah, we've had a few sort of different people. and for various different reasons, all understandable, we've not been able to continue. So it's, it's the challenge of volunteer leadership. You know, when things come on top, whether it's in your day job or whether your personal life, we all understand that and we have to make allowances for that. So. None of us are immune to that.
Letitia, Tim mentioned the Right Honourable David Clark. And we can't really skip past this without at least honouring some of his memories. What do you remember about his contribution to ASIS in the UK?
Letitia:When he came on board again, it was like another pivotal moment. It was another shift from, how people viewed it. and again, this is the challenge with ASIS and kind of goes back to succession planning. But what David brought was, was a different perspective. on, on how to lead. It was also really encouraging because as somebody who totally believes in the old word security convergence, David wholeheartedly was in that space as well. So that was something that we connected on personally when we used to meet. And he was such a supporter because being Dare I say it, a youthful female in security, I kind of stood out as somebody that was in the convergent space, trying to bring about this change of understanding in large corporate organizations. Obviously within the UK, David's role and rank and knowledge and his own personal network also contributed to the ASIS visibility. So that's when I said, I've really been lucky to springboard off. The amazing work, that David did and his bringing in people like Tim. I remember Tim when we first met was at the House of Lords, wasn't it? With David Clark putting something on and I'm sat next to Tim at this beautiful table in this Beautifully. it was a cold room, but it was a beautifully decked out room and we sat and chatted for the majority of the evening, didn't we, Tim? And that was when I first met Tim. So it,, this way of meeting people as well and getting to know people as friends, isn't it Tim? Like you make a lot Absolutely. Of friends in this role. and it's being that open-mindedness that David was to being able to bring in the ideas and just let people have a place to discuss.
Tim, what does David mean to you in relation to your early ASIS membership career?
Tim:Oh, a massive amount. I mean, without David, I wouldn't be involved with ASIS. So that's, to start off with,, that's the first thing. and he was just a massive support, even Even towards the end of his life when he was really ill, he still was reaching out to me about stuff, was helping me through a transition in my career that I was going through at that point. so yeah, it means a massive amount and I'm really pleased that the Security Commonwealth,, invented, for want of a better phrase, the David Clark Award. And which has become an annual thing now that as associations we share hosting, because it's really important that someone like him that was pivotal in not just my involvement with ASIS, but many other people's involvement and just how the chapter has developed today. It's really important that's recognized and to have that legacy. It's fantastic. So, yeah, we were really pleased to host it. The dates rolled into one now, but a couple of years ago, I think. Uh and yeah, it's, it's, it's great to have that memory of Dave.
I was fairly new onto the ASIS membership space when I first met David, and it was always with a glass of red wine.
Tim:Yeah, I definitely remember him for that. I'd
become quite accustomed to the fact that even after I've had a glass of red wine, I can talk a load of shit. And, I was just a bit worried because I knew he was quite an important person. You don't really want to look like a complete blithering idiot in front of David. You know, the first few times you meet him, otherwise he's like, good God, what? Let that in. Do you know what I mean? and so I tried to sort of keep myself to a reasonable professional standard and one, and we sat next to each other for some, some, something, I can't remember. It was really quite quiet. grandiose this dinner we had. And Elijah said, David, I'm going to try not to drink too much wine because I'm just going to talk a load of shit if I do. And then he sort of
Letitia:went, cheers to talking a load of shit. And you just can't
forget those lasting impressions that, you know, all of a sudden I thought, great, you know, I'm still obviously going to try not to talk a load of shit, but, it was, he had this way of just putting you at ease all the time. In fact. I think that embodies kind of memberships. like you said, Tim, I always advise anybody that I mentor to join as many membership bodies as you can afford, or that your company will pay for. But there's a, there's a certain transformation that takes place. Do you remember Tim before you were in any memberships and how lonely that was and what it's like now to genuinely, be a part of. You know, a broader community that just thinks the same way.
Tim:Yeah, it's, it's hard, isn't it? I mean, I, I, I think that's why I'm so passionate about new members that come on board, because I do remember what that was like, and I do remember feeling like, oh, everyone knows each other. And I don't know anyone. and that's why I worked really hard. And it is, it's a skill networking. It's not something that you could just pick up and do. Some people are obviously more natural at it than others. But particularly the ones that it doesn't come naturally to, I really try and single them out and bring them into a community or a group of people. I can't remember a seminar where I haven't been able to do that or post seminar on email, linking people together that had connected briefly for two minutes, but might be able to help each other out, in their day job. So. That happens pretty most weeks, to be honest, in terms of ASIS membership and people that could be connected. That's, that's what I really enjoy doing and I do that on the back of knowing what it was like not having that. and Dave Clark and people like Mike Hurst and others, you know, they, they did that to me and I want to make sure that I do that. to others. Um, so yeah,
I'm laughing because you said Mike Hearst did that to me. He's another one, isn't he? Mike Hearst, which obviously can't go without mentioning Mike. He was just so broadly connected, Letitia, another, uncle in the business, so to speak, that you can always go to for any support and help. but the next generation is coming through now. and I see this next generation and it's exciting. What do you see for the future of ASIS as, as you sort of start to plan your own kind of exit? And are you going to join an international board? I think so.
Letitia:I think we're at another juncture again, across the evolution of the security professional, dare I say it. Because I'm of a certain age and a lot of people are coming through, it's really encouraging to be able to see, even just looking at our ASIS UK board, looking at the growth and development of the youth coming into the board situation. And those thoughts and ideas and passion is really what has to be harnessed. And I think that's one of the things that I've really benefited from because you kind of get yourself into a set way of working sometimes. And I think offering and being in a voluntary role with an association keeps you a little bit younger and a little bit fresh minded and open minded to other ideas. I think also, as the youth are coming in, it's very difficult for them as well, because they're possibly at the start or the middle of their careers. And so they're very already indoctrinated to hierarchy almost as well because of what we operate in and how we tend to still do things in security. And I'm very conscious that must be very difficult, also because that's not necessarily a generational shift, uh, that's also happened. So I think As a board, we have to be more accepting of the youth coming in and making mistakes and, and allowing that within certain parameters for them to navigate themselves. Um, so therefore, I would like to think, and this is a whole nother podcast, right? You hear from the sort of newer members that have been directors now, people like Shakira, people like Farah, that have come in as relatively young security professionals, and what's their journey at the moment? Where do they see things changing? I still think there's a role for, from a governance perspective, for people like myself and Tim in more international roles within associations because I think where I'm super proud is I see a lot of cross pollination happening, uh, in associations. So therefore I'd like to think the age range should be lowering now for the board. positions of all associations. Um, but that comes with time and that comes with the expected change, but I'm really super excited. If I'm honest, I want to see who is going to start stepping up. I want to see those names. And if you look across the award space, I think that's where you see some of that talent coming through. Uh, and I think we have to nurture that.
Yeah, you're absolutely right. I love the fact that you've used cross pollination because, you know, you can call on me, you can call on people from other memberships like Jane King, for example. We all go to Pride together, or we try to. We are all at awards evenings. I love the fact that, you know, You know, like I personally like hanging around the ASIS, uh, and the NEC. I couldn't go this year because I was away, but, you've got this really nice sit down coffee area. in fact, let's talk about GSX because they've got a great hub at GSX, which I plan on hanging around in quite a lot and meeting, like I've got this. So we've got to start from the beginning. GSX. I remember when I was. Before I went, I kept hearing about GSX. I'm like, what is this GSX? Everyone's talking about GSX. If there's anybody here who doesn't know, GSX is the ASIS International Security, I call it security camp, uh, because we all go away for a few days, don't we? We're all having some fun, networking, learning, attending classes. There's so much, there's an expo. So you can talk to vendors, providers, software providers, consultants, you name it, and just generally expand your network. Leticia, take us through the first time you went to GSX and what was so eye opening for you?
Letitia:It's size, you cannot get over the scale of this. If you have been to any expo in, UK security, I think the largest currently is probably up at the NEC. It's a co, it's a co located expo, which gives it this feeling of it's huge. the security element of it is fantastic, but you look at GSX, I would say. On a scale of just taking what the NEC is as a combo, it's probably double if not triple that size. So first off, it's the scale of this. I think secondly is the raft of educational content. Luckily I've been on the steering committee this year for the selection of the educational events. And I cannot get over the insights that go into that. You've got things that help the new practitioner. You've got the things that will help management leadership. You've got the CSO track as well for chief security officers. So you get this really broad range of educational content that. as somebody who doesn't know a great deal about the cyber side, even though I get a working knowledge, there's some content that I can go and polish on those components as if I'm a new practitioner, but then I can be speaking on a CSO track myself. There's always something on the educational front. You mentioned fun though, obviously has to be fun, but I just want to really put a big out message to the ASIS hub, because that's where I hang out too. When I'm in between meetings or I'm trying to navigate who I'm going to go and see as one of our partners that I use in my day job, that's where I'm hanging out. And that's where people. just get the chance to say, Hey, how are you? And you'll see people cause they have the boards where you put up your names for what, if you're a CPP or a PSP or an APP or a PSR and all this thing. And as you're doing that, people are like, Oh, who are you? And that's where you network. I've particularly enjoyed that space. Uh, there's speed mentoring sessions. There's the community groups always have huddles there as well. There's always something going on. I think From a day job perspective, you've got to be really choiceful though. You've really got to plan your time there, because I think you could just get overwhelmed and just think I'm not going to pack it all in. I think you have to do a bit of pre planning would be my advice. But if you can go for your day job, I think it's amazing meeting and learning about the new tech and all the different, partners that are there. But for me, it's the education and the networking always will be about the people.
Yoyo:you mentioned a lot, but there's also the career stage.
Letitia:Oh, of course! There's something that we'll never forget, no matter how long we talk about this. The career stage, absolutely, for people. No matter what level you're at, you know, this is where you'll hear those talks and you'll get to put new people in your LinkedIn and connect with them. Yeah.
In fact, I joined the ASIS International Physical Steering Committee. This will be back in, I don't know, 2019, something like that. Got kicked off last year because I've run out of my tenure. I was gutted. I did not want to leave because we all got on really well. And we were like, God, do we have to leave? Can we not just like, can I just turn up every month? You know, that's how good it is. And then last year I went to GSX for the first time, got to meet some of the people from that physical steering committee. I'm actually collaborating with some of those individuals now a year down the line that I probably wouldn't have had I not met them in person. And here I am going back again, and the only way to describe it to anybody that isn't in security is that it's like security camp, right? Tim, how GSX?
Tim:Well, I can't because I've never been. So for me, it's my role. We'll edit that bit
out then.
Tim:I've heard a lot about it and all the things that you and Letitia have said, um, you know, rings true with, you know, the only thing I can compare it with, I guess, is ASIS Europe. Having attended that a few times, that's on a larger scale than, some of the UK stuff that we do. Um, but it all sounds very similar. I mean, the, the, the ASIS hub there is a great place. Or the international team. And it's weird, I remember the first time I went. which would help if I remembered the country. Was it the Rotterdam one in 2018? No, I think it was Prague. Was Prague after Rotterdam? I can't
Letitia:remember. Yes, Prague was 2019.
Tim:So Prague, I think, was the first one I went to. For a number of years, I've been emailing people like Jess in the team at ASIS International and others, and we, we felt like we knew each other because we'd had so much contact on, you know, calls like this online or email, and then to actually see her in person, it was just great, and then see some of the other US people that I've been dealing with in person, and then some of the European board and, and all of those people. that was great because there's nothing like in person connection. I think we all felt that after COVID, didn't we? Coming back into normality. So, so for me, very similar, but obviously not at a GSX level. but that, that for me was great. So going to ASIS Europe every March is a highlight for me in terms of, yeah, just having some of that global connection because obviously people from the US come over to that still.
In fact, when you
Tim:see
them come over from the States into Europe, there's a real special thing about that, isn't there, Letitia, because we get treated really well when we go all the way out there, because they know how far we've traveled, and we are in the minority there. how many do you think went from the UK chapter last year?
Letitia:I know for a fact our entire board went, which was, I think, the first time that we'd actually had the entire board go, but from our membership, Tim, we must have had, I'm just going to surmise, but obviously the people that we connect with, we must have had at least 40, 50, UK members. Yeah,
Tim:it's about, it's about 40, or certainly late 30s at least. One thing we do at ASIS Europe every year now, uh, and we've got great supporters through our sponsors, from the UK chapter side, but also, other exhibitors and sponsors that help us throughout the year. Um, we, we have a, a, a UK meetup, so, you know, we, we just have a few drinks, get together, and it's not just UK people, we get friends from elsewhere, from the States, and others that come along to it, but they also invite us to their ones, so, It's a real kind of joy to have that time with them just in a bit more of an informal setting. Cause it is easier. There's no getting around it. We mentioned red wine with Dave Clark. I'm much better talking to someone if I've got a beer in my hand. I
go for the networking Leticia last year. We had a Canada night. We've got Texas night. Obviously that's run by Chuck. We had the UK night. There's the Women in Security and Next Generation Networking, and these all happen around about sort of 4. 30 to 6 o'clock, and you have a couple of cocktails, and just, oh, listen, every night. It's a case, do you know what? I get quite excited because it's like, oh, when's, we're going to Universal, aren't we? On the Tuesday. We've also got the gala on the Saturday, or if you're American, you say gala. And it's a case of, can we do this? Can I fit it into my slot? I'm supposed to be here. Canada night's clashing with Texas night, but we've already done the whole Canada night. It's finishing a lot later. So we'll go to Texas night first and then we'll go to Canada night. And it's about how to fit everything in, because your peers will come to you and say, Hey, do you want to come to the, there's another, there's a God, a world. night. It's like I've been invited to that and I hope it doesn't clash with UK night. yeah, it's a buzz, isn't it, Letitia?
Tim:The only shame of these things is, I mean, it's like with Vienna last year, um, It was a city I hadn't been to before, actually, and I was really keen to see some of it because obviously Vienna's beautiful. And I saw, the only bit of Vienna I saw was from an Uber driving to an event, because I just didn't have time. So it is But we did have
Letitia:a guide in the car with us, didn't we? Who was pointing out key landmarks. So again, somebody who knew Vienna was in the Uber going, and this is the opera that we're passing, and I went to university there. It's about having as much, as fun as you can whilst you're trying to fulfill commitments, right? So that's what you're kind of getting at. And then, and yeah, GSX for me, it's going to really start on the Saturday because it's the Women in Security gala. I didn't know that's how I've got to say it. So thanks, or I'm just going to look weird when I go to the US now. But yeah, going to the gala. And then on the Sunday is actually ASIS Volunteers Day. So this is where I'll be going along. You get to mix and hear and cross pollinate thoughts and ideas around different chapters, in, in one space. And then we've got the OSPAS on the Sunday night and the ASIS awards. So that's always nice as well. And then we go on to, an evening event there, which is Texas night, I believe. Then again, we've got Monday and then we've got the universal ASIS, celebration night. So yeah, there's, it's really good. Cause there's always something on, but I tell you what, you've got to. Also, manage your health, not just because of copious amounts of red wine or whatever is your tipple, but it's actually being careful that, if you've got to be up for one of the early seminars, you've just got to be ready and on it and, That's why I say you've got to really plan and be choiceful about what you're doing, where you're going, but I think
Tim:that's why I'm on the board, the UK really help people steer towards their healthy lifestyle. So, you know, Well, you are
Letitia:doing your ASIS foundation. I was being really impressed, Tim.
Tim:I am.
Tell us for anybody who isn't an ASIS member. I mean, I've always recommended ASIS. and you can still join in August, halfway through the year at a reduced rate. What have you got coming up for 2025, Letitia? Anything that you can tease people with?
Letitia:the great thing about how we operate is we do put our dates out generally around January. So you can get all these in your diary. the biggest and best event we always plan is our summer and it's an all day event. As Tim's alluded to, we do try to put on different tracks. Now we've got a security track. We try to do a lot round the ED& I components as well, because I'm a big believer that as a security professional, we want to learn and, continue on educational content around traditional security topics, but I think as a professional, it's broader than that. We need to help people consider their soft skills, their awareness, help them up on their inclusivity awareness and things like that, that sometimes they're just not provided to people in these roles naturally as part of their. job or their company culture. I believe this is another avenue where members can, harness and learn and see alternative perspectives that then also help them grow as individuals, not just in their work, but in their life, within their own community and their span of control where they live. I think what we've got coming up next year is, is all was the same. We tend to operate a spring, summer, autumn, winter routine. this year we've got coming up still our autumn seminar, which is amazing. It's going to be in York because I love plASIS that have beauty. So if you can get up there early, you'll have the morning to explore York, and then you can come along and meet with all of us, uh, in York and have a few drinks and some canapes in the evening. That's, that's, you know, we try to do at least one regional event a year because we're very conscious we don't have all of our members in London, but at the same time we want to encourage southern based people to get up and out of London if possible. Then we've got AGM, which is a normal traditional affair where we, you know, we just really transparent about how we operate with the board. And then that induces our election process. And then we've got our winter seminar, which, um, I don't know if we're able to say anything yet, but we'll be at an amazing location in London. and that will be a traditional afternoon, early evening event as well. And that will be publicized as we always do across LinkedIn and on our e news. So yeah, just keep in touch with us, follow us, because that's where you'll hear about the events and that's where we'll say where we are and what we're going to. So if you're going to be there, come and say hello. It's things like the Women in Security Awards next month, celebrating women across the UK, across all different sort of environments. And that's a great place to meet people. What else is coming up? We've got the Security Fire Excellence Awards in December. They're another big thing that we attend because We just love people and we just want to make sure everybody has a, an awareness, of, of who we are, what we do, and that we're just, as you've mentioned, just one association of many wonderful associations within the UK. So come and say hi, if you see us around.
Yeah, and I think anybody who's listening who isn't connected to you, Letitia and Tim, I think I would definitely urge them to connect with you on LinkedIn. We'll put your LinkedIn handles with the podcast information. Obviously, Tim, you are the expert on European ASIS Expos, and then Letitia, people can reach out to both you or I in relation to, What do I do to get my head around this GSX stuff? Uh, cause it, I literally, I made a list last year of everybody that I intended to say hello to like meet and half that list I came away with having not found them. And that's obviously. It's not just me, but that's how frantic it gets. And now, especially in the evolution of doing the podcast now for what, well, this is going to, we're producing episode 87 this week. I'm thinking, there's now an awful lot more people that I need to go and say hello to. and hopefully they'll be seeking me out in the same way. So I'm expecting to, Make some really good connections. Tim, what's ahead for you before we wrap up and then I'll come back to you, Letitia?
Tim:Yeah, so the only other thing to add to some of the UK activity that Letitia's already mentioned is, so one thing We try and do as a board and as an association is just be visible with a number of other different trade shows and other events. Through our media partner, Professional Security Magazine, we support their events and they support us by giving us a stand. I'm in Birmingham on the 3rd of September. we have our own UK autumn seminar on the 5th of September that week in York, as Letitia mentioned. And in the end of September 24th, 25th, we're at International Security Expo in London. again, they're really kind to us in terms of giving us that space I work with 19 events around that. So it's, we're visible at all of the main events that security professionals will be at, including obviously the big one, GSX. we try and be visible, as much as possible. And I think that, again, is something that. sets us apart, I think. if I may say that to some other associations, is that we are very visible at those events. and we continue to be so, because I think it's really important. So, so come and see us in York, come and see us in London, come and see us in Birmingham, come and see us wherever you find us.
What's the York date, Letitia?
Tim:5th of September. She said that in a really deep voice.
Shall we say she was on mute? Yeah, yeah.
Letitia:If you know my brain, you know I'm absolutely shocking at short term, stuff. So, this is why I have the most fantastic board around me. And this is why I also Just take wing men and women with me to help prompt me.
Tim:And the winter one in London, which is going to be fantastic at a really excited location that we can't reveal just yet is on the 27th of November, but it will be very central, almost Christmasy, should I say, so we can, we can get there first. Mulled wine down us, but it will be, um, yeah, it will be a great event.
Hold that date, everybody. 22nd. It's 27th. We'll add the Eventbrite link in as well on the LinkedIn post, okay? So that people can go straight to that and say, Do you know what, damn nation, I'm going to go this year!
Tim:it's a bit like Europe and GSX, honestly. I know it's nowhere near the same, but just travelling that little bit outside of London, particularly if you're like me that's based in London a lot of the time, it's just great to travel. Step outside of London for a couple of hour journey and just connect with some maybe different people that can't always get down to London. and just support our regional members. Cause we're a UK membership. We're not just London membership.
Yeah, there's a lot in that because it is difficult. I noticed Londoners don't like to leave London. it's still there when you get back. Everything's the same.
Letitia:And there's this thing called transportation is really cool. And that's why we actually put a lot of thought into, commuterville. Like, yeah, which is a nice easy train, where's a few stops up the line, so that we can attract people outside of London. But also, just to make, you know, Life easy. It needs to be on a main commutable sort of transport.
This is the King's Cross, isn't it? To Newcastle line. That's the one. East Coast main line. That's the one. And if, if ladies and gentle bums, you have, extra pennies to go first class, you get free drinks on, on, on the carriage on the way up, arrive in a true, in a true security membership style. Leticia, any lasting comments before you finish up?
Letitia:Now, I think we've touched on a lot of the benefits of association membership. I think we've touched on particularly how the UK operate, which is a purely voluntary board on top of our day jobs. We've shown, our commitment to learning and development for members, but also you'll see as being a volunteer member of an association group, you actually can develop yourself in lots of different areas. But obviously, I think for me, it's also just to recognize, the people before us, and the fact that they've grown and developed this chapter, to what it is, and that's why I'm super proud to be able to say I'm a, chair of the ASIS UK board, but also it's about the friendships and the networks. And like we met Yo Yo, it's just making those relationships and friends and solidifying them. So yeah, get involved with an association, try and be a supporter in what, whether that's just engaging with us, whether that's attending seminars, it just means such a lot. So thanks Yo, thanks for doing this.
I have seen some of the most inspirational speakers at the ASIS seminars throughout the membership, and I think I joined in 2018. And even now, Dr. Samir Puri, Was the best speaker I ever saw. And that was at the PWC building, Tim, you might remember. he blew my mind cause I was at that stage of my career where I started to really learn about why the geopolitics and I'll never forget how, and every single speaker is Pauline Nordstrom down by the Thames,
Letitia:I don't think we should, we should close without mentioning our ambassador, Nazir Afal. And I mean, every time I hear him speak, he blows me away. talk about engaging, insightful and passionate. So for me. The most recent, like, I mean, they're all wonderful. All of our speakers who come along are absolutely phenomenal, but on a personal note, for me, somebody that just captivates me and keeps my passion alive is Naseer.
Tim:I agree with that. I think having someone like him be our ambassador, the sort of, experience and the sort of stature that he has, it's just a real privilege. because, you know, we were, we were conscious of that. We've made a lot of changes. We'd got visible. we were on the map again, we never really left it, but we were very much on the map. And to have him just that, that addition to the, not to the board, but to the association as our ambassador was just fantastic. And he blew me away as well. And not many people do that. I've got high expectation and he, he definitely did.
Well. I've been trying to get him on the Security Circle podcast. But he's a very very busy man. He didn't say no. You need
Tim:maybe me to help you with that. So perhaps we'll talk about that afterwards.
Well, Tim, I think you deserve a Mars bar and there are other sweeties available. But yeah, I think I would definitely love to ask for your support in that. Cause he's an amazing guy and I've met him in person as well. so thank you to all of our ASIS members. And I know that IFPO really loves working with you. We'll send love and hugs from Mr. Hurst as well. Letitia. I will see you in Orlando, baby. I know, can't wait. And both of you. Tim, thank you so much for joining us on the Security Circle podcast.
Tim:Pleasure, thanks for the invite.
Thank you, see you sooN.