At the Security Institute’s 25th anniversary conference in London on October 15, the chair Julie Nel announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Sarah Austerberry as the Chief Executive Officer.
She’s been interim CEO for the last four months since the abrupt end to Simon Hepburn’s time as chief. Sarah’s career in the security sector spans more than 25 years across government, critical national infrastructure, and private industry. She is a Chartered Security Professional (CSyP), a Fellow of the Security Institute (FSyI), and a Principal of the Register of Security Engineers and Specialists (RSES). Julie Nel CSyP FSyI said: “After careful deliberation, the Board is confident that Sarah’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and passion for advancing professional standards make her the right person to lead the Institute forward.”
Other changes were announced. Chris Stevens CSyP FSyI and Hayley Elvins CSyP FSyI have becomeVice Chairs, James Bore CSyP FSyI has become an Independent Director, and Oliver Lacey MSyI will serve as the Institute’s Young Persons Adviser. As Julie Nel reminded the event, her term as chair is due to end in April 2026.
On her appointment, Sarah Austerberry said: “It is a tremendous honour to be appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Security Institute. Over the past months, I have seen the dedication, expertise, and professionalism that define our members and our community. I look forward to continuing to build on this strong foundation with the Head Office team— supporting our members, advancing our shared mission, and promoting excellence and integrity across the security profession.”
On the day
The event at Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel heard early on from the president of the Institute, the former head of MI5, Lord Evans of Weardale. The previous president, Baroness Ruth Henig, died in February 2024. Among the panel speakers at the event were some who have so far received Henig scholarships, set up in her name to further learning in the sector.
Themes
The day could be divided into three themes – first, geopolitics (the threat from Russia and China, to British commerce and state, university research and academia, and civic life); then tech (the threats posed besides the opportunities provided by artificial intelligence) and whether security management is a profession, and if not how to further professionalise the sector besides what one speaker called ‘pockets of excellence’ by those working as professionals. More in the November edition of Professional Security Magazine.
Who was there
Among the founding lights and former chairs of the Institute there were Emma Shaw; Peter Lavery; Mike Bluestone; and Dr Garry Evanson (who took part in a panel discussion on the profession).
Photo by Mark Rowe: some of the networking into the evening after the conference.
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