Celebrating women in security everywhere

International Women’s Day 2022 (IWD) is being held on Tuesday March 8 and will this year focus on the theme #BreakTheBias.

As a company that works in a traditionally male-dominated industry, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to turn the spotlight on our outstanding female team members. Individuals who are breaking through the bias and smashing preconceptions at every turn.

We’re proud to say a growing percentage of the Venture Security team are female; from our head office team who keep everything running smoothly, to our security officers who are out there every day making a difference, and our event supervisors and stewards who help keep people safe at the many events we look after throughout the year.  

But as an industry, there is still a lot more work than needs to be done if we’re to crash through outdated security professional stereotypes.

Sara Howe, Director at Venture Security, explains: “Sadly, the security industry is still viewed as a man’s world and that’s a narrative which I hear every day. While some progress has been made in the last decade, we’ve a long way to go as an industry. Which is why I‘m very proud to have a growing number of female security professionals at Venture, working across all areas of the business, who are challenging those stereotypes every day.

“I feel that as women we can bring a different and highly valuable perspective on all matters and I think raising awareness, through articles such as this, is a good start to helping showcase how and why women have an equal place in the security industry.”

So, what’s it really like being a woman working in security?

We asked some of our female security operatives what the best thing is about working in security and what they most enjoy about being part of the team here at Venture.

Here’s what they had to say:

• It's extremely fast-paced and no day is ever the same.
• Variety within the role and the team I work within.
• Undoubtedly the people. Friendly, driven and humorous. We all work as a team and really pull together to help one another. We're a family.
• The best thing is meeting new people.
• I enjoy the variety and flexibility of work. I am semi-retired so the flexibility suits my lifestyle.
• The ever-changing nature of security. We are a service that protects assets and people from people. We deal with everything from vandalism, theft, anti-social behaviour and the vulnerable. Human nature is so complex and we see it every day.
• I love the variety of security, no day is the same - whether I’m in the office or working operationally.

It’s estimated that in the UK only around 10% of qualified security officers are women.

So, why do our female team members think such a low proportion of women are entering the security profession?

• Security has always been male dominated and it's going to take some time to change that. Do women actually know that this option is available to them? We need to spread the word far and wide that this is a fantastic career opportunity. Rally fellow women, explain the process of getting a license and encourage sign-ups.

• There is a misconception that females are not as physically strong as males and therefore are less effective. This is absolutely not true. Females can also bring reason and balance to conflict situations.

• I think there is still the wrong mentality about security. People refer back to old school doormen where muscle was the most important thing, or people think it is dealing with fights all the time. I am not muscly at all, but I think I am successful in situations because I am good at communicating.

• Women can be made to feel unsuitable for the role due to its confrontational nature, even though female security officers can often be better at diffusing aggressive situations from escalating.

• I think the unsocial hours may put a lot of women off but also the nature of the work. When we are working in the City Centre we will often work with drug users and I have seen people injecting themselves with drugs and I have dealt with an overdose. This is where the support of senior staff members is so important.

• The hours are often anti-social, involve lone-working and can be in not particularly pleasant environments. Where women have often been considered as homemakers, those kinds of working conditions, along with the stereotypical view of it being a man’s job, could intimidate women from wanting to work in the industry.

• It seems to be a male dominated industry still but I think more women are now coming through. That’s certainly what I’m seeing.

Meet Security Officer Issy

Issy first started working for Venture as a parking steward when she was 16 and went on to gain her SIA license when she was 18, becoming accredited under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) not long after.

She is now part of our City Centre security team, helping tackle anti-social behaviour and aiding local businesses in Andover, Winchester and Salisbury.

Issy explains: “There is no such thing as a typical shift, as no two shifts are ever the same! Some days we help just by being a visible security presence, while on others we may have a major incident to deal with involving the police and/or ambulance service, so we always need to be ready for anything.

“For me, the best part about my job is seeing the street attached individuals we help on a daily basis, really turn things around from the situation they were in. Sometimes, when I have been away from a certain city for an extended period of time, I return to see a once homeless individual now looking healthy and happy with somewhere to live.”

Meet Operations Administrator Sophie

Sophie gained her SIA licence and joined the team at Venture in October 2017, as a part time job alongside her university studies. She felt the training added to her skill set and give her more options whilst at university.

Sophie explains: “I love the variety of security, no day is the same - whether I’m in the office or working operationally. When I am in the office I can be doing anything from approving officer reports, to sorting and packing kit for upcoming events, updating assignment instructions and supporting the Event Security Manager, Operations Supervisor and wider team with their tasks.

“If I am working operationally, I could be covering a shift at one of Venture’s many guarding sites, or patrolling a city centre and deterring any anti-social behaviour. Or working at an event and helping coordinate communications, ensuring staff welfare and supporting the Head of Security and Safety Officer with their roles.”

Meet Mobile Patrol Officer Liz

Liz joined the team at Venture in January 2020 and is a valued member of our mobile patrol team. She works throughout the night visiting customer premises and carrying out a range of checks and other duties. For Liz, working nights is something she really enjoys and it fits with her busy family life.

Liz explains: “I usually arrive at work early and grab a cuppa. I then check my duties for the night and prepare my work gear, and also perform checks on my patrol vehicle. I then travel round to various customers’ sites, locking up the premises for them, before conducting patrols throughout the night and responding to any alarm activations as required.

“Every day is different and you never know what to expect. While out on patrol one evening, I spotted a gentleman who was behaving strangely, wondering around the town centre in the middle of the night. I helped get him home and settled and alerted the relevant authorities. It turned out he was suffering from dementia. I ended up getting an ‘In the spirit of Venture’ award for my actions in helping him but I was just happy to help.”

You can find out more about what a typical shift is like for Liz here.

Meet Event Door Supervisor Paula

Paula gained her SIA licence in 2014 and joined the team at Venture in 2016 where she works as part of the busy event security team.

From undertaking a door supervisor role at various venues, to managing a team at major sporting events, and being part of a team at large events with responsibility for a certain area, one of the things Paula most enjoys about her work is the variety.

Paula explains: “Venture is where I get to do amazing events with a great team. Professional, yes, but we also have fun and it feels like being part of a family.

“It can be very rewarding too. For example, at one event there was a small boy who was completely overwhelmed by the loud environment and wanted to leave. I found a place where he and his mum could sit and watch through a window above everyone. He could choose who sat where, or if they just stood behind the chairs. Later, mum came to find me and thanked me saying he was a different child now, feeling in control of something stopped the fear and next moment he was back in the noisy area joining in with everybody else.”

Meet Compliance Manager Jodie

Jodie first started working in security in 2007 when she gained her SIA licence and joined the Venture team, working at events alongside her day job in the aviation industry. She is now a full-time employee and part of Venture’s management team.

Jodie is responsible for all things compliance, including accreditations, external audits, processes and undertaking a cycle of continuous improvement through our management systems.

“I have known Venture since it was founded and watched it blossom to the company it is today. I have always enjoyed working as part of the events team and now on the business management/compliance side of things at head office. I really enjoy the possibilities ahead and how I can affect and influence our future, it’s exciting.

“Security is no longer the stereotypical bouncer image of big men stood in doorways deciding whether you can come into a venue.  Security is so much more than that and the roles available are so much more diverse - and fun! These are the images that need to be promoted. Working in the security industry should be considered a career, not just a job, and roles should be given based on capability and skill set, not driven by stereotypes or personal descriptives such as age or gender.” 

Interested in a career in security?

At Venture, we believe that providing the highest quality of service, means employing the best people and providing them with the best training and support. We have worked hard to create an inclusive culture that truly values each individual and their efforts, and which provides opportunities for growth and career development.

We are proud to be accredited as a Living Wage employer and to pay rates that are higher than many security providers in our region. Alongside this, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, which includes free online GP, nurse and counselling services, helping protect the health and wellbeing of our officers from day one.

To find out more about careers at Venture and to view our latest vacancies, visit: venturesec.co.uk/work-at-venture

To work in private security, you need to hold a valid SIA licence (excluding some unlicensed stewarding and support roles). If you don’t currently have a licence, you can find out more about getting one here.