As our new People Director, David Boyle is focused on ensuring our team feels supported, valued, and able to thrive. With more than 30 years’ experience in policing and national emergency services leadership, he brings a wealth of insight and experience, along with a passion for teamwork and delivering excellent service.
We caught up with David to hear about his first month in the role and what he’s looking forward to next.
It’s hard to believe that my first month at Venture has already passed. The time has flown by, largely because of the energy, ambition, and sheer pace of activity across the organisation. From day one, I’ve been struck by the professionalism of our teams, the strength of our operational delivery, and the passion people bring to their roles.
What has impressed me most is that Venture is not a company standing still. There is a genuine appetite to improve, scale, and innovate, and that mindset is something I’ve seen consistently across conversations with colleagues at all levels.
A Culture That Wants to Improve
During my first few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with many members of the Venture team. What stands out is the openness with which people share their experiences and ideas. There is no shortage of commitment or care for the organisation’s success.
Several colleagues highlighted opportunities to strengthen communication particularly ensuring that strategic intent is clearly understood at tactical and operational levels, and that frontline teams have structured opportunities to share insight upward. The encouraging part is that these conversations are already happening. There is real potential to introduce simple mechanisms such as enhanced meeting structures or an “Ask the SMT” forum that could further strengthen two-way communication and ensure everyone understands how their work contributes to our long-term ambitions.
Investing in Leadership, People, and Professional Development
Another strong theme is the dedication of our supervisors and managers. Many have progressed through the organisation on merit and operational competence. As we continue to grow, there is an exciting opportunity to invest further in leadership development creating clear role profiles, consistent expectations, and structured training to support those stepping into supervisory responsibilities.
Similarly, our approach to recruitment and selection is sound, with strong panel involvement and training already in place. As Venture scales, we can continue building on this foundation particularly around leadership selection and standardisation to ensure we are developing the next generation of company leaders.
There is also real scope to introduce a more consistent performance and development review framework, alongside a clearer annual planning cycle that links corporate objectives to team and individual goals. This would not only create alignment but help everyone see how they contribute to Venture’s growth journey.
Strong Operational Foundations
I’ve been particularly impressed by the reputation of our teams in various settings where we provide a service. It is clear our company and our staff are well-regarded and valued among our customers and local partners. Speaking with our staff themselves reinforced the pride they take in their work and the guardianship they provide.
With many of our successful long-running contracts, there are opportunities to review how the service has evolved and ensure the scope remains aligned to the agreed objectives. That conversation reflects maturity in our partnerships and a desire to remain fit for purpose.
More broadly, the operational tempo across Venture is high. There is a huge amount of good work taking place daily. Introducing more structured ways of capturing organisational learning building on the debriefing practices I’ve observed could allow us to turn experience into sustained improvement.
Building the Next Chapter
It’s clear that Venture has bold ambitions. That ambition is exciting. As we grow, there is an opportunity to further articulate and communicate our vision, mission, and values ensuring that everyone understands not only where we are heading, but their part in getting us there.
Culture itself is something that matters deeply. Venture is home to strong personalities and passionate professionals. With that comes healthy debate which, when channelled constructively, is a strength. Continuing to invest in clear behavioural standards, supportive leadership, and open dialogue will ensure we maintain a positive and professional working environment as we expand.
Insights from the Door Supervisor Course
During the month, I also attended and passed a Door Supervisor course to obtain my SIA licence. This was a valuable experience. It provided practical insight into the working conditions of the UK security industry, the quality of current training provision, and the motivations of those entering the sector.
The breadth of the syllabus particularly the emphasis on counter-terrorism was encouraging. At the same time, it highlighted opportunities for Venture as we develop our own training capability to go even further: deepening content around vulnerability, safeguarding, and ethical use of authority, while delivering a high-quality and memorable learner experience.
Importantly, training environments also present a powerful opportunity to identify talent. With the right structure in place, we can both raise standards across the industry and attract excellent people into the Venture family.
Looking Ahead
If I were to summarise my first month in two words, it would be “huge potential.”
Venture has:
- Strong operational credibility
- Committed and capable people
- Established client relationships
- Ambition to scale
- A willingness to reflect and improve
The foundations are solid. The opportunity now is to introduce more structure around planning, communication, governance, and leadership development not because things are broken, but because we are growing and have the courage to reflect on all aspects of our performance and the will to continuously improve.
I’m excited to be part of the journey and grateful for the openness with which colleagues have engaged during my first month. The future is promising and with clarity, collaboration, and continued professionalism, Venture is well positioned to achieve its ambitions.
About Venture
Venture Security is an independent security company operating across central southern England, including: Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, and Surrey.
We employ more than 200 staff and protect more than 400 sites, including Stonehenge, The Roman Baths, and Newbury and Salisbury racecourses, and Gloucester Rugby.
Our customers range from professional services firms to manufacturers, and housing associations. We also partner with local authorities and business improvement districts to tackle antisocial behaviour in town and city centres.
To view our latest vacancies, please visit: Work At Venture | Careers In Security With A People-First Focus
Not got your SIA licence yet but interested in a career in security? Find out more about taking your next steps here: SIA Licence: All You Need To Know | SIA Security At Venture
