Leading UK crowd management and event security company, Showsec, has officially launched its managerial Academy, a unique, year-long programme offering employees the chance to develop the knowledge, skills and experience required to become an effective operational manager within the crowd management industry.

This is a significant investment for the company and a testament to its continual focus on investment in people. It also complements Showsec’s company ethos, offering an extension to its already highly successful training and development courses.

The programme is divided into three key elements: operational management, leadership, and administration and support services. It includes vocational and industry qualifications, operational experience, as well as mentoring and self-development elements. The vocational aspect will ensure associates encounter every type of crowd management situation, while instructive knowledge will consist of modules that are accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management, NCFE, BIIAB and IOSH.

“We are really excited about the Showsec Academy,” said Mark Harding, managing director of Showsec. “We pride ourselves in offering a high level of training and development for our staff, and by offering this type of qualification internally, we are able to transfer knowledge and experience specifically tailored to our industry. By channelling this expertise through the Showsec Academy, we are effectively producing the next generation of management.”

Keith Hackett, project manager for the Academy, is responsible for compiling the programme, sourcing a wide range of expertise from all over the country, while also consulting with internal operational and administrative experts to ensure the programme satisfies Showsec’s specific requirements.

“Showsec knew it needed a new and external professional dimension to manage this project and I feel very fortunate to have had the necessary experience to fill this position,” he said. “The commitment here at Showsec has been total, and enables us to move on confidently to the next phase, which will involve working with The Security Company in Holland to create an International Academy – a very exciting prospect for crowd management across Europe, with Showsec at the forefront.”