About the Company

Trade and craft associations have flourished for many centuries, however the City of London companies, now collectively known as the Livery, are unique in their number and diversity. The cultural conditions which gave birth to the original guilds have long been overtaken by the development of industry and commerce, but the livery companies still flourish. They foster their trades in a widest context, embrace modern skills and professions and serve the community through their charitable trusts.

The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals’ traces its origins to 1999 when the now Past Masters, Steve Neville OBE and John Purnell GM QPM DL, registered The Guild of Security Professionals with the City of London Chamberlain’s Office. On 18 November 1999, twelve principal founder members met to plan the creation of a working guild. The inaugural meeting, with sixty-two founder members, took place on 27 March 2000 with Sir Neil Macfarlane being elected Founder Master and with Sir David Brewer, CMG LL of Greater London and Mr Deputy Philip Willoughby JP as sponsors. The Guild held its first Dinner at Drapers’ Hall in September 2000. The Windsor Herald designed a Coat of Arms, and the Guild formed an association with the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London with its Chaplain becoming our Honorary Chaplain.

Progression to a Company without Livery occurred on 6 January 2004 when the petition for recognition as a City Company without Livery was recognised by the Court of Aldermen. The Company’s petition for Livery was recognised by the Court of Alderman on 19 February 2008 when it was declared that the Company had become the 108th Livery Company of the City of London. Between these two events there was a considerable amount of activity to raise £300,000 for the Company’s Charitable Trust Fund and £50,000 for the General Fund. Due to the hard work, support and generosity of our Members we exceeded this target. It was also recognised that our aims and objectives were serious and well founded, and that we did not conflict with the interests of existing Companies.

The Company was presented with its Letters Patent by the then Lord Mayor, Alderman Sir David Lewis on 2 May 2008; followed by a Celebration Luncheon at Guildhall.  In 2009 the Company petitioned the Privy Council for a Royal Charter and Her Majesty The Queen approved an Order instructing the Lord Chancellor to affix the Great Seal to The Worshipful Company’s Charter on 15 February 2010.

The 108th ranking is by Order of Precedence, under which guidelines the Company is also classified as a Modern Livery Company as it was formed after 1926. It is now one of the largest by membership, with a dynamic Young Members Group and Apprentice Scheme making up one fifth of that number. The Company introduced the City of London Sheriff’s Bravery Award after the 2005 London bombings to recognise annually unsung acts of heroism and the winner’s names are inscribed on the Honours Board in the Old Bailey. The Company launched the Register of Chartered Security Professionals (CSyP) in 2010 as a means of recognising and maintaining high standards in the security profession. Our Charitable Trust thrives through the generous support of Company members and Sponsors and supports an impressive range of benevolent, educational, welfare and cadet activities. 

Membership of the Company is drawn from the Security Industry in its widest sense and includes leading security professionals from the industrial and retail sectors, serving and retired members of the police and armed services, security consultants, academics, heads of security for corporate businesses, investigators and electronic surveillance practitioners.

ARMS Party per fess indented acute Or and Azure three Portcullises chained counterchanged.

CREST Upon a Helm with a Wreath Or and Azure A Unicorn forcene Argent armed mained tufted and unguled Or the dexter forehoof enfiling the hasp of a Padlock Azure the sinister supporting a Terrestrial Globe Or the oceans Azure.

SUPPORTERS On the dexter a Dragon Azure armed langued winged and gorged with a plain Collar attached thereto a chain reflexed over the back and holding in the sinister foreclaws a Key wards uppermost Or on the sinister a Griffin Azure beaked armed langued winged and holding in the dexter claws a Lightning Flash Or.

MOTTO RES HOMINES LIBERTATES.

BADGE A Portcullis chained Or within an Annulet the outer edge potenty Azure.