The Security Professionals became a Worshipful Company, and the 108th Livery Company of the City of London, on 19th February 2008. It then became a Royal Charter entity when HM The Queen granted its Royal Charter on 15th February 2010, after which it was decided it would be appropriate to celebrate the Founders’ Service at the Company’s Church (The Chapel Royal St. Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London) on the Thursday nearest to the 19th February each year.

However, due to the closure of the Chapel for restoration works, we were honoured to be granted exceptional permission to hold our 2025 Founders’ Service at the Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace, on Thursday 20th February.

The Chapel was built between 1531-1536 by King Henry VIII and has been used regularly since 1702 – and many Royal Weddings have taken place there, including that of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg in 1840.

The Service, attended by members of the Company and guests, began at 1830 with the entrance of the Sub Dean, The Reverend Canon Paul Wright LVO, the Company’s Honorary Chaplain, The Reverend Canon Roger Hall MBE and the procession of the Master, IPM, Wardens, Clerk and Beadle.

The First Lesson, from Deuteronomy 5:22-33, was read by The Master and the Second Lesson, from Romans 8:31-39, was read by Hon Liveryman, Past Master, Mr John Purnell GM QPM DL.

Canon Paul Wright gave an excellent Sermon which provided a great deal of historical information about the Chapel and its long and strong association with the Royal Family – which also had some humorous moments!

Prayers were offered by Canon Roger Hall.

Each year the most poignant part of the Service is the Master’s reading of the Memorial Roll of Members of the Company who have died since the Company was formed.

Towards the end of the Service the first verse of the National Anthem was sung, followed by the uplifting hymn ‘Mine Eyes have seen the Glory’.

The Choir, led by the Director of Music Tim Horton, sang beautifully and enchanted the congregation with the various anthems and prayers.

The Master and Wardens of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the Chapel Royal for hosting our 2025 Founders’ Service and to Canon Paul Wright, Canon Roger Hall, the Director of Music Tim Horton and all members of the Choir. Although held every February this year provided a unique and memorable opportunity to visit the Chapel Royal for our very special Service.