The security profession covers a broad spectrum of services in many varied environments. There is a perception that most security roles are only being filled by men, whereas many highly skilled and experienced women are now playing a prominent role in the security industry as a whole.
Mary Jones and Julie Young met at a corporate polo event in Gloucestershire, supporting The World Horse Welfare Fund. Mary, a consultant for a Lloyd’s broker was charged with looking after Julie, a client. This meeting led to the formation of Beaufort Major, now one of the only female partnerships in the security industry in the UK.
Exemplary service
They instantly recognised a highly compatible working ethos in each other and a mutual understanding of the requirement for personalised high quality services. Their reputation is built on their natural and different approach to the tasks required.
Julie has an ex-military background and subsequently specialised in the fields of Close Protection and Surveillance. With these skills and her 15 years spent as a security operations director, she has a great understanding of what is required from both the clients’ and operators’ perspective and a proven ability to manage, train and select personnel. She has run complex global operations in large organisations and has a strong focus on client delivery and the specialist security side of the business.
Mary spent 28 years in the corporate sector in client-facing roles, building teams of strong individuals, including ten years as an appointed director and seven years as the managing director of a leading UK company. Throughout her highly successful career, Mary has honed excellent business and communication skills and the disciplines required to deliver exemplary customer service.
The combination of their skills has given Beaufort Major a head start over other security companies; with potential clients finding their approach to the task required an open and refreshing change. As a new partnership in the industry — and a recent addition to The Global Partnership Family Offices’ Pharos portal — Beaufort Major provides a comprehensive approach to security by protecting people, property and reputations.
“We are extremely proud of the firm’s proven track record for addressing client security concerns and providing comprehensive options that fit around their lifestyle,” says Mary.
Lifestyle Security Review
Julie and Mary’s attention to detail and communication skills have enabled them to find the best solution for clients, not necessarily the ‘obvious’ one. Many of the families they meet do not consider themselves worthy of enhanced security until there is an incident.
With privacy and confidentiality paramount, Beaufort Major offers clients a full Lifestyle Security Review, which considers all aspects of security including personal protection, residential security, information, cyber security and digital footprints.
Through discussion with their clients and a good understanding of the requirements they are able to ensure the most appropriate measures, both physical and practical are put in place.
Protecting people
Beaufort Major provides protection and complementary support solutions to its portfolio of clients. One of the key considerations is the security and protection of individuals and families, an area that Beaufort Major considers as one of their strengths. Close Protection is important for any individual at risk due to their profile, wealth or position.
Mary explains: “It is vital that clients feel comfortable with their protection, and that of their children. Whilst being able to provide high-calibre male Close Protection Officers (CPO) we are also able to offer qualified and highly experienced female operators. A female CPO is able to access all areas and blends seamlessly into family life particularly where female executives and children are concerned.”
In addition to their primary role, many of the firm’s CPOs have been selected because of their additional skills that support family lifestyle activities. Such skills include that of personal trainers, linguists, divers, equestrians, experienced skiers and medics. Beaufort Major is skilled at matching client needs in terms of competence, personality and expertise.
Safeguarding property
Beaufort Major will respond to a client’s individual needs, whether conducting a security review or providing a residential security team. Here are some of the common issues discussed:
Security Systems. Every client property is different. Alarms, cameras, and sensors are not the only consideration. An assessment of an existing residence will highlight any changes required to the practices and procedures within the household that impact on the general security of the family.
Vetting. Employing staff that will be living or working in your home should be a thorough process. Each member of staff or contractor needs to be fully vetted. There are various levels of checks available dependent on the role and exposure to the confidential affairs of each client. Property services extend to the movement of high value items to the provision of security personnel on board private yachts.
Securing reputations
Threats to data security are an everyday concern for everyone, where we rely heavily on the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. Whilst information and cyber security spans across many areas of both business and personal internet use, the hot topic is the usage of social media by family members who are unaware of the risks.
Acknowledging the rise of Social Media, safeguarding a family’s digital footprint is very important. With 71% of teens saying they use more than one of the following social networks: Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Vine and Tumblr, the internet is becoming an increasingly worrying issue for parents.
Julie says: “Children often won’t listen to their parents but guidance from a security professional makes all the difference. So we now offer a number of educational services, to help and guide families with their children’s online activity.”
