The UK security industry is entering one of the most significant periods of change in its history. These changes are being driven by close collaboration between industry and government, centred around a new leadership body called the S12 Security Guarding Leadership Group.
Acting as a bridge between the sector, the UK Security Minister, the Home Office and the Security Industry Authority (SIA), the S12 is leading several major workstreams designed to modernise the industry and raise standards.
We’re delighted to say that Venture Security is part of these important conversations, with our MD Paul Howe elected as one of the founding members.
So, what are the current aims of the S12? And what changes and reforms may lie ahead for the UK security industry?
What is the S12?
The S12 Security Guarding Leadership Group was established in October 2025. It is a body made up of senior leaders who come from across the UK security guarding sector, representing both small independents and large national providers. Its purpose is to:
- Represent the industry at the highest levels of government
- Provide a unified voice on regulatory and operational issues
- Identify and drive workstreams that will have the greatest impact on the sector
- Engage the wider industry through consultation and collaboration
Providing a voice for the UK security industry
The S12 has been formally recognised as the official engagement channel for the guarding sector, with quarterly scheduled meetings involving the UK Security Minister, Home Office and SIA.
It is the first time that the guarding sector has a single, structured leadership group representing its interests at a national level with direct access to the government in this way.
Paul Howe, Managing Director, Venture Security and S12 member, comments: “For me personally, it remains a real privilege to sit at the table and have a genuine two-way dialogue at a ministerial level. It’s not something I’ve experienced before in my career, and it genuinely means a lot to be trusted to represent our industry in this way.
“The security industry has a voice and we’re being listened to. There’s real momentum behind the conversations we’re having and I’m excited to see where we go from here.”
Here are some of the key workflows currently being focused on by the S12.
Mandatory Business Licensing (MBL)
Mandatory Business Licensing (MBL) could lead to the introduction of compulsory licensing for all private security businesses in the United Kingdom.
The issue was brought back into sharp focus following Mandatory Recommendation 8 (MR8) of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, which identified shortcomings in how businesses are licensed, regulated and held accountable for safety. In addition, Mandatory Recommendation 7 (MR7) proposed that in-house CCTV operators should be trained and licensed to the same standard as contracted personnel. This direction of travel is likely to extend across all licensing categories, potentially bringing to an end more than twenty years of inconsistent standards.
The Home Office recently concluded a public consultation on proposed changes to current SIA licensing. The consultation was aimed at security businesses, in-house and SIA licensed operatives, in-house employers of security personnel, buyers of security, local and public authorities, and industry associations.
It sought views on a range of options to determine which, if any, should be implemented. This included both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches, such as:
- Licensing of all contractors delivering security services
- Licensing of in-house CCTV operators
- Strengthening oversight of security businesses
- Ensuring regulation is proportionate and commercially viable
The S12’s Mandatory Business Licensing workstream, led by Deputy Chair Peter Harrison, has acted as the key industry liaison throughout this process.
Business Accreditation Scheme (BAS)
The Business Accreditation Scheme (BAS) is designed to create a more consistent and reliable standard for how good security businesses operate.
The aim of BAS is to replace the current SIA Approved Contractor Scheme, to establish a recognised benchmark that clearly defines what ‘good’ looks like for a security company. By doing so, the scheme seeks to improve quality and professionalism across the industry, giving potential customers greater confidence when choosing a provider.
BAS is intended to help users of security services identify competent and trustworthy providers by offering a clear indicator of quality. It also aims to support fair competition by reducing the influence of poor‑quality or non‑compliant operators who may undercut reputable companies.
A key driver behind both BAS and mandatory business licensing is the need to address inconsistent business practices, including cases where companies avoid PAYE obligations to gain a commercial advantage. This includes tackling practices such as business paying ‘on invoice’ or phoenixing, where companies close and re‑form under a new name to avoid debts, liabilities or regulatory scrutiny. This is a behaviour that undermines legitimate firms and destabilises the wider sector.
In this way, BAS is positioned as a tool to raise standards.
The S12 group is working closely with the industry and the SIA to refine the criteria that will underpin BAS. This includes aligning the scheme with regulatory expectations and ensuring that the requirements are proportionate and accessible for small, medium, and large businesses alike. The goal is to create a scheme that is both credible and practical.
Strengthening Legal Protection for Security Officers
The S12 is actively engaging with industry and government to strengthen legal protections for security officers. This aligns with wider national conversations about protecting frontline workers, particularly within sectors such as retail.
This workstream is focused on addressing the growing risks faced by frontline security personnel, who regularly encounter verbal abuse, threats, intimidation and physical assault while carrying out their duties. Despite often acting as first responders to incidents involving violence, theft and public disorder, private security officers do not currently benefit from the same level of legal protection as other frontline roles, such as emergency workers.
As part of this broader engagement, the S12 is consulting with industry bodies, unions and government stakeholders to:
- Highlight the scale and impact of violence against security personnel
- Advocate for stronger and more consistent legal protections
- Align the treatment of security officers with that of other frontline workers
- Improve reporting and data collection across the sector
- Increase awareness of the role and responsibilities of licensed officers
Running alongside this work, a government petition has been launched to support legislative change by calling for assaulting a security officer to be treated as a more serious criminal offence.
While the petition is only one part of a wider programme of engagement, it provides an opportunity for those within and outside the industry to demonstrate support for greater protection of security officers.
You can view and support the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750121
Other areas being looked at by the S12:
Workforce standards and professionalism
The S12 is looking at ways to help raise standards across the security workforce, including:
- Reviewing training requirements
- Exploring competency frameworks
- Improving career pathways
- Enhancing recognition of frontline officers
- Addressing recruitment and retention challenges
This workstream is closely linked to the Mandatory Business Licensing consultation, which seeks real‑world feedback from officers and employers.
Technology and innovation
The security industry is rapidly evolving and the S12 is examining how to prepare for future challenges and opportunities, including:
- Integration of AI and smart surveillance
- Use of data and analytics
- Cyber‑physical security convergence
- Modernisation of control rooms
- Improved interoperability with emergency services
This workstream aims to ensure the UK security sector remains resilient and technologically capable.
In summary
The UK security industry is at a turning point. With the formation of the S12 and the launch of major consultations and workstreams, the sector is aiming for greater professionalism, stronger regulation, and improved collaboration.
For private security companies, officers and client businesses, the outcomes of these workstreams could bring about real change, influencing everything from compliance requirements to training expectations and operational standards.
This is a moment for the entire industry to come together and help shape the future of UK security.
To find out more, please visit https://securityleaders.co.uk/
