On 1 October 2026 the S12 Security Guarding Leadership group marks its first anniversary. It officially launched last year at the International Security Expo in London. Since then, the group has grown its membership, broadened its reach and streamlined its priorities.
The S12 comprises 16 board members, adding two new non-ACS members, as well as an impartial core management team this year. S12 workstreams bring together more than 350 registered members from 237 organisations.
The organisation continues to represent the industry's interests through direct engagement with key stakeholders, policymakers and regulators. These included the Home Office, Security Industry Authority (SIA), HMRC, Ofqual, Fair Work Agency and the National Police Chiefs’ Council. S12 submitted formal communications and consultation responses shaped by industry feedback. Key topics included the Business Approval Scheme, the MR8 Mandatory Business Licensing consultation, Approved Contractor Scheme fees, the SIA Buyers’ Charter, Section 12 Martyn's Law guidance, and additional RIPA powers for the SIA.
“The S12 has made great progress this year, by listening to feedback from the industry and using its position to highlight priorities to government, initiate conversations within different sectors of the industry, and provide evidence-based feedback to support meaningful change.”
“Most notably we have supported government and industry on the preparation for Martyn’s Law. Our dedicated workstream offers a unique platform for people to raise concerns, clarify their understanding, and offer their perspectives. We have formally written to the government about our support for the implementation, offering our expertise as well as amplifying industry feedback to help shape the guidance.”
“We continue to work in collaboration and offer our thanks to those individuals and organisations that have supported or contributed to our workstreams.”
Following the streamlining of activity into nine workstreams, the organisation has delivered significant levels of engagement across the sector. More than 40 workstream meetings have been delivered since April. This includes two in-person workstream sessions, and three industry webinars.
Approximately one in three security officers work for a company represented on the S12 board, demonstrating substantial industry reach and representation. The organisation’s reach has grown significantly through regular workstream meetings, increased communications, and event attendance.
Bringing industry leaders together to tackle one of the sector's most important challenges, S12 unveiled its new Labour Exploitation Guidance Document. at a recent in-person Workstream event. The document offers practical guidance, establishes common definitions, and addresses the critical topics regularly highlighted by industry. To further strengthen its commitment, S12 also signed up to a Labour Exploitation Charter, marking a significant step towards greater accountability, transparency, and trust.
Looking ahead the S12 will continue to focus on key priorities across the sector:
Help shape the future of security by joining a workstream. Security professionals from all sectors can sign up at:https://securityleaders.co.uk/workstreams/
April to June saw regular workstreams, increased industry engagement and the appointment of a full-time team.
The S12 has made significant progress and now has 16 appointed board members, from large, medium, small and non-ACS companies, as well as three full-time impartial members that make up the core team, as well as a further appointed assurance role.
Engagement continues to grow within the industry with over 3,200 followers on LinkedIn and nearly 400 professionals registered on workstreams. Workstream members cover several areas of the sector, including Training Centres, K9 Associations, Labour Providers, Security Officers and more.
Paul Fullwood, S12 Chief Operating Officer, said:
"Over the past three months, the S12 has expanded considerably, with nine workstreams now in place to advance its strategic aims. Through these workstreams, the S12 is driving industry progress while supporting wider legislative reform. We will continue to collaborate with industry, government, key stakeholders, and trade associations to elevate standards, promote professionalism and enhance the reputation of the security sector."
Industry Impact in Q1:
The S12 will continue to work toward stronger industry engagement as it approaches its first anniversary in September.
Security professionals across the sector are encouraged to register for S12 workstreams and contribute to shaping the future of the industry. Register for workstreams online.
The S12 have provided feedback on the ongoing development of the Business Approval Scheme (BAS).
The views set out in this letter reflect feedback received from both the S12 membership and the BAS workstream, following consideration of the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) letter dated 27 March and the wider BAS proposals.
The S12 remains supportive of the SIA's objective of raising standards and strengthening public protection. The letter presents the S12's commitment to acting as the SIA's critical friend, and reinforces continued collaboration.
The S12 look forward to continuing engagement with the SIA as BAS progresses through consultation and further development.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) have recently announced that the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) fee will increase by 66%, from £15 to £25. The increase will be implemented from 1 June 2026.
The S12 received significant feedback about the increase from professionals and companies across the security sector. In response the S12 launched an industry feedback survey and a webinar to gather feedback from small, medium, large ACS and also non-ACS security companies.
The S12 collected the feedback from the survey and webinar to inform a formal letter to the SIA and UK Home Office. The letter was sent on Thursday 21 May 2026, and covered the S12's understanding of the increase, key concerns, and industry feedback. To continue to work toward improved communication and strengthen relationships across the industry, the S12 also presented a list of recommendations for the future.
The SIA have since written back to the S12, clarifying the reasons behind the increase and addressing the recommendations set out in the S12 response.
