Ingrid Lucas, Women in Security’s Frontline Security Officer of the Year

For the thirteenth year, the Women in Security Awards took place in September, providing an opportunity for the Security Industry to recognise the outstanding women driving progress in the industry, changing the landscape of security and protecting lives. Taking place at Shakespeare’s Underglobe set on the river Thames, the Women in Security Awards is a night of glitz and glamour which shines a light on those shaping the industry through action.

This year’s awards were hosted by Carlisle friend, Figen Murray OBE, who campaigned tirelessly for six years to create safer counter terrorism legislation after the death of her son Martyn in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. After spearheading the campaign, in April 2025, Martyn’s Law received royal Assent.

On the night, Carlisle was privileged to have three outstanding members of staff as finalists for the event across two categories. Within the Security Manager category, we were overjoyed to see two of our managers recognised as finalists for their impact and contribution to the industry, Ruth Ripley, Event Security Manager for the Southbank Centre, and Operations Manager for Arriva Rail London Gateline contract, Louise Harrison. Their contribution and commitment to creating opportunities for Women in the industry, alongside acting as mentors, will help to increase visibility of women in the field.

Within the Frontline category, we are overjoyed to announce the award of the Frontline Security Officer of the Year Award to Southbank Events Security Supervisor, Ingrid Lucas. Nominated by her manager, Ruth Ripley, Ruth’s nomination highlighted the impact that Ingrid has had within the security industry, offering mentorship to her peers, participating in community initiatives and debates, alongside raising standards for those in her team. Highlighted within the nomination, Ingrid has received commendations from Counter Terrorism Security Advisors and personal security teams who have supported high-profile guests such as Yulia Navalnaya, Greta Thunberg and Salman Rushdie, which emphasises her professionalism and ability to stay calm under pressure when dealing with high-profile guests. Beyond her role, Ingrid takes the time to be present for her team, making time for them in sickness and in health. Even if they just need to speak to someone, she will check in on them even when dealing with her own heavy workload alongside grandma duties. Her commitment to her team is unwavering, and in Ruth’s own words, she is “the soul of our team”.

With Ingrid’s win, and Ruth and Louise as finalists, we are overjoyed to see our Women in Security committee being recognised for championing women across the business and industry. Congratulations to Louise and Ruth for their nominations, and to our winner, Ingrid, for their outstanding commitment to excellence.

Share Post:

Women in Security

Breaking Barriers for Women in Security

The security industry has long faced outdated perceptions, often associated with a ‘bouncer culture’ that fails to reflect the professionalism and diverse skill set demanded

Event Planning and Management

Providing flexible, on-demand support to help organisations build resilience, mitigate risks, and adapt to the ever-changing political, socio-economic, and environmental landscape to deliver seamless event experiences. 

  • Access and egress control
  • Bag search
  • Behavioural detection officers
  • Build and break security
  • Car park marshalling
  • Counter-terrorism risk assessments
  • Directional staff
  • Event controllers
  • Flow management
  • Hospitality stewards
  • Location planning
  • Night security
  • Response teams
  • Scanner and arch operations
  • Search dogs – explosive and drugs
  • Search management
  • Tout patrols
  • VIP management

Arboriculture Tree Work

Managing trees and vegetation for the UK’s public infrastructure and commercial spaces.

  • Hedge cutting
  • Tree felling and tagging
  • Tree surgery

Vegetation

Delivering aesthetically pleasing environments whilst eliminating potential hazards and operational disruptions caused by vegetation.

  • Grass cutting and moving
  • Hedge cutting and maintenance
  • Invasive weed management
  • Moss removal and treatment
  • Trackside clearance
  • Waste and site clearance
  • Weed control

General Security

Provide fully vetted, accredited officers equipped with the latest technologies to secure and protect your people, premises, assets and the wider public.

  • Access and egress control
  • Alarm monitoring and response
  • CCTV monitoring
  • Front of house
  • Gatehouse management
  • Mobile support
  • Reception
  • Security patrols
  • Short-term security
  • Static and mobile guarding

Advanced Security

Providing bespoke services that identify site specific vulnerabilities and address complex challenges to mitigate risks. 

  • Cash in transit
  • CCTV/systems audits
  • Counter-terrorism audits
  • Penetration testing
  • Protester management
  • Search and detection dogs
  • Security audits
  • Security strategy

Possession Management
and FM Services

Maintaining high facility standards and minimising service disruptions across the UK rail network.

  • Canopy gutter clearance
  • LED lighting replacement
  • Minor ‘first-fix’ handyman provision
  • Station white lining 
  • Track-bed litter picking 
  • Vegetation clearance

Cleaning

Delivering exceptionally clean environments at optimal cost and positive environmental footprint with unrivalled quality control across nationwide operations.

  • Decontamination cleaning
  • Depot cleaning
  • Graffiti removal and window filming
  • Specialist mobile cleaning
  • Station cleaning
  • Toilet cleaning (incl. CET tanking)
  • Train presentation
  • Turnaround and in-transit cleaning
  • Window cleaning
  • Winterisation and snow clearance

Security and Customer Facing Services

Delivering seamless passenger experiences whilst protecting revenue and achieving operational excellence. 

  • Byelaw enforcement officers
  • Car parking enforcement and management
  • Counter-terrorism patrol officers
  • Customer service staff
  • Mobile response teams
  • Rail replacement co-ordinators
  • Rail security officers
  • Revenue protection/ enforcement teams
  • Station and depot security officers
  • Station event mgmt. and crowd control
  • Ticket office staff
  • Ticket vending machine fingertip maintenance (incl. ticket stock replenishment)
  • Ticketless travel surveys
  • Train dispatch (safety-critical)
  • Travel safety officers (incl. RSAS)

Event Planning

Providing flexible, on-demand support to help organisations build resilience, mitigate risks, and adapt to the ever-changing political, socio-economic, and environmental landscape. 

  • Build and break security
  • Counter-terrorism risk assessments
  • Flow management
  • Location planning

Crowd Control

Deploying balanced crowd management strategies for optimal safety and seamless visitor experiences.

  • Announcers
  • Crowd pulsing
  • Customer service
  • Platform & concourse management
  • Queue layouts
  • Queue management
  • Train capacity management

Event Management

Delivering seamless visitor experiences across the UK’s biggest venues, stadiums and exhibition centres.  

  • Access and egress control
  • Bag search
  • Behavioural detection officers
  • Car park marshalling
  • Directional staff
  • Event controllers
  • Hospitality stewards
  • Night security
  • Response teams
  • Scanner and arch operations
  • Search dogs – explosive and drugs
  • Search management Tout patrols
  • VIP management

Car Park Management

Transforming customer journeys with innovative car parking solutions that maximise operational control and revenue.

  • Access control
  • Automatic Number Plate
  • Recognition (ANPR)
  • Barriers
  • Cash counters
  • CCTV
  • Consumables
  • Handheld computer terminals
  • Kiosks
  • Pass key and card readers
  • Pay and display
  • Pay by phone
  • Pay on foot
  • Rising step barriers
  • Sign manufacture
  • Ticket management
  • Wheel clamps

Vegetation & Landscaping

Enhancing and maintaining site aesthetics for optimal nature, commercial infrastructure, and community harmony. We aim to deliver beautiful scenery whilst eliminating potential hazards and operational disruptions caused by vegetation.

  • Grass cutting and moving
  • Hedge cutting and maintenance
  • Invasive weed management
  • Moss removal and treatment
  • Tree felling and tagging
  • Tree surgery
  • Waste and site clearance
  • Weed control

Cleaning & Facilities

We streamline cleaning and facilities services that help organisations maintain exceptional standards across single and multi-site operations.

  • Daily and periodic cleans
  • Deep cleaning
  • Drug paraphernalia removal
  • Fogging services
  • Graffiti removal
  • Gum removal
  • Gutter cleaning
  • High-level cleaning
  • Lamp post cleaning
  • Lighting, electrical and washroom
  • Maintenance services and minor repairs
  • Painting
  • Planned maintenance
  • Pressure washing
  • Stair cleaning
  • Steam cleaning
  • Trauma cleaning
  • Waste removal
  • Window cleaning

Security & Monitoring Systems

We offer a total turnkey solution from initial design and product selection through to installation and commissioning. Our customers benefit from benefit from around-the-clock protection for optimal peace of mind that comes from working with a trusted alarm monitoring service.

  • Access control
  • Alarm monitoring
  • Asset tracking
  • Barriers and gates
  • Body worn cameras
  • CCTV monitoring
  • CCTV router solution
  • CCTV systems
  • Integrated security solutions
  • Intruder alarms
  • Lone worker solution
  • Panic alarm/call assist
  • Technical support desk

Fire Protection

Our range of fire life safety solutions are designed to prevent, detect and contain fire and where necessary enable a safe and timely escape.

From the initial Fire Risk Assessment through to the design and installation of fire detection and fire suppression systems and ongoing maintenance and monitoring contracts, we provide you with a one stop fire protection solution.

  • Aspirating systems
  • Disabled toilet alarms
  • Dry risers
  • Emergency lighting
  • Emergency voice alarms
  • Fire alarms
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Fire hydrants
  • Fire risk assessments
  • Fire safety training
  • Fire suppression
  • Flow switch testing
  • Sprinklers
  • Water mist systems

Security

From security-cleared operations with MOD-affiliated organisations to supporting the UK’s rail infrastructure and securing the Highest Court of the British Isles alongside countless major venues across the UK, we provide fully vetted, accredited officers equipped with the latest technologies to secure and protect your people, premises, assets and the wider public. 

  • Alarm monitoring and response
  • CCTV monitoring
  • CCTV/systems audits
  • Counter-terrorism audits
  • Front of house
  • Gatehouse management
  • Mobile support
  • Penetration testing
  • Protester management
  • Reception
  • Search and detection dogs
  • Security audits
  • Security patrols
  • Security strategy
  • Short-term security
  • Static and mobile guarding

Specialist Cleaning

Fulfilling the most complex single and multi-site cleaning requirements at an award-winning standard for over 30 years.

  • Biohazard cleaning
  • Deep cleaning
  • Planned maintenance
  • Drug paraphernalia removal
  • Fogging services
  • Graffiti removal
  • Gum removal
  • Gutter cleaning
  • High-level cleaning
  • Lamp post cleaning
  • Stair cleaning
  • Trauma cleaning
  • Waste removal

Facilities Management

Providing an extensive range of Soft and Hard FM services to help you streamline management and eliminate operational disruptions. 

  • Lighting, electrical and washroom
  • Maintenance services and minor repairs
  • Painting
  • White and yellow line painting

General Cleaning

Undertaking routine cleaning to maintain the highest standards in cleanliness and hygiene for exceptional environments. 

  • Daily and periodic cleans
  • Pressure washing
  • Steam cleaning
  • Window cleaning