Tyneside security expert is among world elite

A North Tyneside security expert has received one of his profession’s most prestigous accolades.

Peter Houlis, managing director of North Shields-based security firm 2020 Vision now features on the coveted Register of Chartered Security Professionals.

He becomes only the 49th individual worldwide to make the register, and the first in the North East.

The register is strictly governed by the Chartered Security Professionals Registration Authority (CPSRA). The authority’s committee is made up of some of the world’s leading authorities on security and is chaired by Lord Carlile of Berriew, one of the UK’s top legal minds and president of the Howard League.

Peter collected his certification from the Security Institute’s chairman and CPSRA management committee member, Emma Shaw at a recent London ceremony.

He commented: “I’m both humbled and very proud to have been accepted onto such an esteemed group.

“The security profession is governed extremely closely and exacting standards have to be met. Not only is this a very special moment for me personally, but also, I believe, a glowing testimonial to all the team at 2020 Vision.

“Without their own specialist skills, knowledge and expertise in pushing the boundaries of security and surveillance measures, I very much doubt I would have been recognised in this way.”

Peter had to undergo stringent tests to be listed as the 49th individual on the Register of Chartered Security Professionals.

This included having to display exceptional depths of knowledge, practice skills, leadership, communications and professional commitment. It also included having to write a 12,000-word thesis on the major topics dominating the security industry, as well as in-depth interviews with the CPSRA board.

Peter explained: “Degrees and professional qualifications in security are relatively new, but its great for all responsible practitioners that the CPSRA is taking the necessary steps to identify those who insist on offering a fully qualified service.”

Emma Shaw is a CPSRA committee member and also chairman of the Security Institute, a member organisation who oversees and benchmarks personal professional standards in the industry and also administers the register on behalf of the CPSRA.

She said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to officially recognise Peter with Chartered Security Professional status. We welcome him as one of a very elite, global group of individuals who can proudly display their chartered status.

“Not only is he someone who has built an extremely successful business based on ethical and knowledgeable advice, but Peter is an individual who has always been so generous to others with his understanding of industry developments.”

He formed 2020 Vision in 1992 in North Shields. Specialising in private and commercial CCTV, remote site monitoring, access control and concierge systems, it has grown to become one of the most successful security-related businesses in the UK.

It provides a diverse range of security solutions to operations across the UK, including prisons, casinos, hospitals, universities and sport stadia and even produced a monitoring system that captured the first ever known footage of a puffin feeding its young in an underground burrow on the Farne Islands in Northumberland.