We’re proud to announce that the MAN Commercial Training Academy has been shortlisted for its first ever award! Our Academy, founded in 2023, has been named a finalist at the upcoming Midlands Education Awards in the category of Outstanding Support for Students.

Since launching the Academy, our goal has been to support and upskill our workforce, as well as creating a genuine pathway into the security industry for people looking to build a long-term career. We wanted to offer more than just qualifications. We strive to provide high-quality training, experienced instructors, real industry insight, and ongoing support that helps learners succeed both during and after their course.

Being recognised for Outstanding Support for Students means a great deal to us because student support sits at the heart of everything we do. From first enquiry through to certification and career progression, our team works hard to ensure every learner feels supported, prepared, and confident entering and working within the security industry.

The Education Awards 2026 ceremony will take place on Friday 3rd July 2026 at Millennium Point in Birmingham. We’re looking forward to celebrating alongside other outstanding organisations and individuals from across the education sector. We’d like to thank everyone who has supported the Academy so far.

We are pleased to announce that our colleague Laura Walsh has been named Female Security Officer of the Year – North West at the prestigious British Security Awards 2026.
Laura, who works at Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre in East Didsbury, has been recognised by the judges for her professionalism and courage in protecting members of the public, working in what is one of Manchester’s busiest leisure environments.

The award reflects Laura’s exceptional handling of several high-pressure incidents over the past year. In one particularly serious situation, Laura intervened during a violent assault on a retail unit manager, using proportionate and lawful force to detain the attacker until police arrived. Her quick thinking and bravery prevented further injury and ensured the safety of everyone involved.

Laura was also praised for the calm and compassionate way she supported a distressed teenager following a violent altercation at the centre. She coordinated with police, reassured those involved, gathered witness information and helped prevent the situation from escalating further.

Beyond operational incidents, Laura consistently demonstrates the professionalism and values we pride ourselves on at MAN Commercial Protection. She plays a key role in maintaining high standards across the site, supports new team members and continually goes above and beyond to create a safe and welcoming environment for visitors.

Commenting on Laura’s success, our CEO Iain McCallister said:

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are delighted to see Laura recognised for the incredible work she carries out every day. The training and support we provide help equip our officers with the skills needed to respond to challenging situations, but Laura’s attitude, professionalism and genuine passion for protecting others are what truly make her exceptional.”

Since joining MAN Commercial Protection three years ago, Laura has completed a range of specialist qualifications, including CCTV, Fire Warden and IOSH Working Safely training, helping her develop into an outstanding frontline security professional.

Laura will progress to the national finals, held in London in June.

We’ve officially achieved Silver in the Solihull College Social Value Excellence Scheme – a recognition of the work we’re doing to give back, develop people, and create meaningful impact beyond our day-to-day operations.

This award reflects our community participation and actions, including developing talent through our apprenticeship programmes and supporting learners through our Spectator Safety NVQ and SIA courses.

Since May 2025, these efforts have already contributed to 15 points within the scheme, and we’re just getting started. Thank you to everyone across our team and partners who support our social value mission.

Laura McCarthy, People & Communications Director said, “We are so proud to have achieved the Silver award within Solihull College’s Social Value Excellence Scheme. At MAN Commercial Protection, we are passionate about creating opportunities, supporting learning, and giving back to the communities we work within. Building strong partnerships with organisations such as Solihull College & University Centre allows us to help develop future talent through apprenticeships, training, and promote opportunities in the security industry. We look forward to continuing this partnership and working towards Gold!”

We are incredibly proud to announce that MAN Commercial Protection has won the “Entrepreneurial Business of the Year” award at the 2026 Security & Safety Entrepreneur Awards (SSEAs), held during The Security Event at the NEC Birmingham.

It was a hugely successful day for our team at The Security Event, made even more special by receiving this fantastic recognition alongside so many respected businesses and professionals from across the security industry.

Winning Entrepreneurial Business of the Year reflects another outstanding year for MAN Commercial Protection and recognises the continued hard work and ambition shown by our teams across the UK.

Over the past 12 months, we have continued to grow significantly, expanding both our national operations and our service offering. A key focus for us has been the successful expansion into systems solutions, allowing us to further enhance the support and innovation we provide to our clients.

As a business built on family values, teamwork, and a people-first culture, achievements like this are only possible thanks to a great team effort.

We are extremely grateful to the SSE Awards judges for recognising our journey, innovation, and entrepreneurial approach within the industry.

We are very proud to announce that our CEO, Iain McCallister, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the “Most Inspiring Leader (Male)” category at the Birmingham Best Places to Work Awards 2026.

This prestigious recognition celebrates leaders who demonstrate exceptional dedication, inspire those around them, and create positive workplace cultures where people can thrive. Being named a finalist is a fantastic achievement.

For more than 33 years, Iain has led MAN Commercial Protection with a people-first philosophy, building the business on strong family values, trust, transparency, and teamwork. His hands-on leadership style and focus on employee wellbeing have helped shape the culture we are proud to have today.

Under Iain’s leadership, MAN Commercial Protection has grown into one of the UK’s leading security providers while maintaining the close-knit family feel that remains at the heart of the business. From investing in staff development and wellbeing initiatives to supporting career progression opportunities and innovation across the company, Iain continues to inspire teams at every level of the organisation.

The Birmingham Best Places to Work Awards judging process now moves to the interview stage, with finalists meeting the judging panel in person ahead of the awards ceremony taking place in June.

Everyone at MAN Commercial Protection would like to congratulate Iain on this special recognition.

We are proud to be touring the UK this summer alongside the BBC Gladiators Meet & Greet series, working in partnership with Ann Squared Events to deliver safe, organised, and unforgettable fan experiences at shopping centres across the country.
Following a hugely successful event in Cardiff, we are now preparing to support multiple high-energy appearances featuring the stars of the hit BBC show. While the Gladiators bring the energy, excitement, and entertainment, we bring the control — ensuring every event runs safely, smoothly, and professionally for fans, staff, and talent alike.

With over 33 years of industry experience, we have extensive expertise delivering security solutions for high-profile public events, celebrity appearances, meet-and-greets, and large-scale activations. Before each event, we carefully plan all vehicle and foot access routes, crowd management procedures, and emergency withdrawal strategies in partnership with production teams and venue management.

Throughout the tour, our teams remain in constant communication with, production staff and shopping centre security management to maintain clear lines of sight, monitor crowd flow, and react quickly where required. Given the scale of the events — with previous tours welcoming more than 2,000 visitors in a single day — detailed planning and experienced personnel are essential.

The Gladiators roadshow features several exciting event formats, including full meet-and-greet experiences, inflatable duel challenges, and interactive fan zones designed to create an exciting family-friendly atmosphere. Alongside crowd management and queue control, our officers play a vital role in maintaining a positive, safe, and enjoyable environment for everyone attending.

We are incredibly excited to continue supporting the tour throughout the summer and helping deliver memorable experiences for thousands of Gladiators fans across the UK.

We are proud to announce that our Transport Safety Officer, Mohammed Naqshbandi, has been shortlisted for the prestigious ACS Pacesetters Security Officer of Distinction Awards 2026, recognising front-line security professionals who go above and beyond in their role.

Mohammed, who works as part of our partnership with Transport for West Midlands, was nominated following an exceptionally brave and selfless off-duty intervention during a violent burglary incident in Birmingham.

While arriving early for work near Summer Lane, Mohammed witnessed two suspects fleeing after smashing the front window of a local barber shop. Despite being off duty and without any personal protective equipment, he instinctively stepped in to prevent further harm, pursuing and detaining one of the suspects.

During the confrontation, the suspect threatened Mohammed with what appeared to be a bladed weapon. Demonstrating remarkable professionalism and sound judgement under extreme pressure, Mohammed made the correct decision to release the suspect while continuing to support the police investigation by capturing mobile phone footage and securing valuable evidence.

Mohammed later provided West Midlands Police with video footage, still images, CCTV evidence, and a full witness statement to assist with the investigation.

Mo’s actions reflect the very highest standards of the security industry and demonstrated a genuine desire to protect the public, even while off duty.

Transport for West Midlands described Mohammed’s actions as “brave, selfless, and instinctively professional.”

We are proud to announce two regional wins at this year’s British Security Awards, with both winners now progressing as finalists at the national event in June.

This achievement reflects the outstanding service delivered by our teams across the UK every day.

Our Regional Winners

Customer Service Excellence – London
The Brewery Security Team

Our team at The Brewery has been recognised for consistently delivering exceptional customer service, maintaining a safe and welcoming environment while upholding the highest professional standards. Their ability to combine security expertise with a customer-first approach truly sets them apart.

Female Security Officer of the Year – North West
Laura Walsh – Parrs Wood Entertainment Centre

We are delighted to see Laura Walsh recognised for the positive impact on she has made site. Her ability to ensure a safe and secure environment, alongside her approachable and supportive attitude, makes her a standout ambassador for the female security officers.

We love to see our people recognised for the excellent work they put in and the service they provide to our clients every day. These two awards highlight the strength of our teams and the culture we are proud to build at MAN Commercial Protection. Both Laura and the Brewery team will receive their awards at regional presentations held on site. Congratulations Laura and The Brewery team on this special achievement.

A fantastic performance from our Security Manager Mike McLaughlin in the latest promotional video from global yacht brand Sunseeker International, who have been clients of ours for over 8 years.

It is an honour for us to be featured alongside such an iconic brand and testament to our strong working relationship.