Tonight marks a truly special evening in the security industry calendar as the Women in Security Awards 2025 takes place at Shakespeare’s iconic Underglobe venue in London. This prestigious black-tie event, organised by Professional Security Magazine, promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the remarkable women who are shaping the future of our industry.
A Night to Remember at Shakespeare’s Underglobe
The atmospheric underground event space at Shakespeare’s Globe on the South Bank of the Thames provides the perfect backdrop for this year’s ceremony. Guests will enjoy a champagne reception on arrival, followed by a sumptuous three-course dinner with drinks, before the main event – the presentation of the Women in Security Awards. True to its reputation, this awards ceremony is renowned for being “like no other, filled with sparkle and dancing – truly a celebration of women in the security sector.”
The 2025 Finalists: Excellence Across Five Categories
After reviewing over 300 entries, a distinguished judging panel whittled down the nominations to 17 exceptional finalists across five main categories. The judging took place at Mitie’s offices in The Shard, where the panel worked tirelessly from morning until 9pm to select the most deserving candidates.
Business Manager Category
- Onur Korucu – GovernID
- Daisy Carr – Ward Security
- Claire Shrosbree – CYS Security Ltd
Frontline Category
- Ashley Attard – CIS Security (The Minister Building)
- Ingrid Lucas – Carlisle Support Services
- Kerry Driver – Guarding UK Ltd
- Elena “Lori” Cracovschi – SecuriGroup (Silverburn)
Industry Category
- Lynn Watts-Plumpkin – SSAIB
- Lorraine Mansfield – Mitie (City Security Council)
- Liz Lloyd – BSIA
- Julie Nel MA CYSP FSyI – Security Institute Chair and B4Secure Ltd
Security Manager Category
- Meg Ridley – Midcounties Co-op
- Ruth Ripley – Carlisle Support Services
- Louise Harrison – Carlisle Support Services
- Molly Edwards – Total Task Consultancy
Technical Category
- Prof Emmeline Taylor – City St George’s University of London
- Sophie Malone – Zinc Systems
The Baroness Ruth Henig Award
In addition to the five main categories, tonight will see the presentation of the Baroness Ruth Henig Award, introduced in 2024 to honour the memory of Baroness Ruth Henig, a former SIA chair and long-standing champion and judge of the awards since their inception in 2012. This special recognition is nominated by the ten industry judges who represent leading organisations across the security sector.
Women in Security: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures
The security industry has historically been male-dominated, but the landscape is rapidly evolving. Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles, driving innovation, and bringing fresh perspectives to traditional security challenges. From frontline operatives to C-suite executives, women are proving their worth across every aspect of the security sector.
The Current State of Women in Security
Recent industry surveys indicate that while women still represent a minority in the security sector, their influence is growing exponentially. Women bring unique skills to security roles, including:
- Enhanced communication abilities – Often excelling in de-escalation and conflict resolution
- Attention to detail – Critical for security assessments and risk analysis
- Diverse perspectives – Bringing fresh approaches to traditional security challenges
- Leadership qualities – Demonstrating collaborative and inclusive management styles
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite significant progress, women in security still face challenges including:
- Workplace culture – Navigating traditionally male-dominated environments
- Career progression – Breaking through glass ceilings to reach senior positions
- Work-life balance – Managing demanding security roles with family commitments
- Industry perception – Overcoming stereotypes about physical capabilities in security roles
However, these challenges are creating opportunities for positive change. Progressive security companies are recognising the value of diversity and actively working to create more inclusive environments.
The Judging Excellence
This year’s awards are judged by representatives from ten leading industry bodies, ensuring the highest standards of impartiality and expertise:
- Association of Security Consultants (ASC)
- ASIS UK Chapter
- British Security Industry Association (BSIA)
- Fire and Security Association (FSA)
- International Professional Security Association (IPSA)
- National Security Inspectorate (NSI)
- Security Industry Authority (SIA)
- Security Institute
- Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB)
- Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
The judging panel for 2025 included distinguished professionals such as Emma Shaw of Mitie, Ellie Hurst of Advent IM, Jayne King of NAHS, Sarah Cork (consultant), Lynda Moore of ACS Pacesetters, and Figen Murray, the Martyn’s Law campaigner who will be presenting on stage tonight.
Industry Impact and Recognition
The Women in Security Awards serve multiple vital purposes within our industry:
Celebrating Achievement
These awards shine a spotlight on the exceptional contributions women make across all areas of security, from technical innovation to business leadership, and from frontline operations to industry advocacy.
Inspiring the Next Generation
By showcasing successful women in security, the awards inspire young women to consider careers in the sector and demonstrate the diverse opportunities available.
Driving Change
The awards create momentum for positive change within the industry, encouraging employers to recognise talent regardless of gender and to create more inclusive workplaces.
Building Networks
The ceremony brings together influential women and allies from across the security sector, fostering connections that can lead to mentorship, collaboration, and career advancement opportunities.
Looking to the Future
As we celebrate tonight’s finalists and winners, it’s important to recognise that this is just the beginning. The security industry continues to evolve, with new technologies, emerging threats, and changing client expectations creating fresh opportunities for innovation and leadership.
Women are at the forefront of many of these developments, from cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to risk management and crisis response. Their contributions are not just valuable – they’re essential for the industry’s continued growth and success.
The Role of Technology
Modern security increasingly relies on sophisticated technology, from AI-powered surveillance systems to advanced access control solutions. Women are playing crucial roles in developing, implementing, and managing these technologies, bringing both technical expertise and user-focused perspectives to security solutions.
Changing Client Expectations
Today’s security clients expect more than just protection – they want partners who understand their business, can communicate effectively, and can adapt to changing needs. Women’s natural strengths in relationship building and communication make them ideally suited to meet these evolving expectations.
A Message to Tonight’s Finalists
To all the remarkable women nominated as finalists for the Women in Security Awards 2025, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for tonight’s ceremony. Your achievements represent not just personal success, but progress for the entire industry.
Whether you’re recognised in the Business Manager category for your strategic leadership, the Frontline category for your operational excellence, the Industry category for your broader contributions, the Security Manager category for your team leadership, or the Technical category for your innovation and expertise, you are all winners.
Your dedication, professionalism, and achievements inspire others and help pave the way for future generations of women in security. You are role models, pioneers, and proof that excellence knows no gender boundaries.
The Broader Impact
The Women in Security Awards represent more than just a single evening of celebration. They are part of a broader movement towards greater diversity and inclusion in the security industry. This movement benefits everyone – employers gain access to a wider talent pool, teams become more diverse and effective, and the industry as a whole becomes stronger and more innovative.
Research consistently shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, bringing different perspectives, approaches, and solutions to complex challenges. In an industry as critical as security, this diversity isn’t just beneficial – it’s essential.
Supporting Women in Security Year-Round
While tonight’s awards ceremony is a highlight, supporting women in security is a year-round commitment. This includes:
- Mentorship programmes – Connecting experienced professionals with those starting their careers
- Professional development opportunities – Ensuring equal access to training and advancement
- Flexible working arrangements – Accommodating different life circumstances and needs
- Inclusive company cultures – Creating environments where everyone can thrive
- Industry advocacy – Promoting the value and importance of diversity in security
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
As we celebrate the Women in Security Awards 2025 tonight, we’re not just honouring past achievements – we’re investing in the future of our industry. Every woman recognised tonight represents countless others who are working tirelessly to keep our communities, businesses, and institutions safe and secure.
The security industry has come a long way in recognising and valuing the contributions of women, but there’s still work to be done. Tonight’s ceremony is both a celebration of progress and a call to action for continued advancement.
To all the finalists, we wish you the very best of luck tonight. Regardless of who takes home the awards, you are all champions who have already won by making such significant contributions to our industry.
To the broader security community, let’s use tonight’s inspiration to continue building a more inclusive, diverse, and excellent industry for everyone.
The future of security is bright, and women will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in shaping it. Tonight, we celebrate not just individual achievements, but the collective strength and potential of women in security.
Congratulations to all the finalists, and here’s to a fantastic evening of celebration at the Women in Security Awards 2025!
The Women in Security Awards 2025 takes place tonight (11th September) at Shakespeare’s Underglobe in London. For more information about the awards and to see photos from tonight’s ceremony, visit Professional Security Magazine’s website.
