On the final day of the 2020 Home Office Security & Policing event in Farnborough (Thursday 5 March), ADS is pleased to announce the launch of PROTECT UK, a new security and resilience sector Special Interest Group for physical and personnel security suppliers, with a first meeting to be convened in the summer.

The UK is a world leading manufacturer and provider of solutions in this area, ranging from access control, blast protection solutions, hostile vehicle mitigation, all the way through to training and risk advisory services. With the security and resilience market growing globally, and the UK Government poised to regulate in the sector with a new ‘PROTECT Duty’, the group has been formed to provide a docking point for members to collaborate and engage with relevant stakeholders and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this diverse market.

With plans to engage members to finalise appropriate terms of reference of the group later this year, a core function of the group will be to work with stakeholders in Government and partners across industry to ensure that world-leading UK security solutions in this space continue to meet the highest standards internationally. The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) has confirmed that it is supportive of the plans and will be engaging with the group. PROTECT UK will also maximise business development opportunities, in both public and private sector markets, including crowded places, critical infrastructure and major events, in the UK and internationally, for all current and potential future ADS member companies of all sizes who possess capabilities and innovative solutions in this area.

Dr Hugo Rosemont, Director of the Security and Resilience Sector at ADS, said:

“We are very proud to launch our plans for PROTECT UK here at the Home Office’s annual security event. The UK has a vibrant industry in this field and this is an excellent time to create a new forum to support our members operating in the sector. Formed in consultation with the UK Government, who is supportive of our plans and keen to engage with the group, the establishment of PROTECT UK means that, just over 10 years after its establishment, ADS can now fully offer its members a rounded offer of Special Interest Groups to engage within the Security and Resilience sector. For ADS members operating in this field, we encourage you to join the exciting new group and hope and look forward to welcoming you to our first meeting.”