News

From 1 December 2025, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) will introduce updated conditions and decision-making criteria for SIA licensing. These changes represent a significant development for the private security sector and reinforce the regulator’s commitment to raising standards across the industry.

The revised criteria will introduce a tougher approach to criminality, strengthening the way previous convictions and relevant conduct are assessed when determining whether an individual is suitable to hold a licence. In addition, the SIA will provide greater transparency around the broader “fit and proper” test that all applicants and existing licence holders must satisfy. This test considers not only criminal history but also overall conduct, integrity, and suitability to operate within positions of trust.

One of the key updates includes the expansion of the list of criminal offences that the SIA will consider relevant when making licensing decisions. By widening this scope, the regulator aims to ensure that only individuals who meet the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility are permitted to work within the regulated security environment.

For security providers and licence holders alike, these changes highlight the importance of maintaining compliance, professionalism, and ongoing due diligence. At the McKenzie Arnold Group, we welcome measures that enhance public confidence and reinforce the integrity of the sector. We remain fully committed to supporting our staff through clear guidance, continuous training, and robust recruitment processes to ensure full compliance with SIA standards.

As the industry evolves, maintaining high standards is essential to safeguarding the public and protecting the reputation of professional security services. The upcoming changes serve as a timely reminder that trust, accountability, and transparency remain at the heart of effective security provision.

We are delighted to celebrate Micky Juttla as the latest recipient of our Staff Spotlight Award, recognising his outstanding contribution to the McKenzie Arnold Group. Alongside this well-deserved recognition, Micky has been presented with a £50 Amazon voucher as a token of our appreciation.

Since joining us in May 2024, Micky has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and an approachable manner that reflects our company values. His professionalism has been evident across every assignment he has undertaken. In particular, he played a key role in successfully launching our new project at North Weald Airfield, helping to ensure smooth operations from the outset.

Over the summer, Micky also made a significant impact as a Team Leader at Notting Hill Carnival, where his leadership, reliability, and calm approach contributed to the effective delivery of one of the UK’s largest events.

We are incredibly proud to have Micky as part of the McKenzie Arnold team and look forward to seeing his continued growth and success within the organisation.

At the McKenzie Arnold Group, our strength has always come from our people. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are delighted to welcome four new team members who have recently joined the McKenzie Arnold family, each bringing valuable experience, fresh perspective, and great enthusiasm to their roles.

Please join us in welcoming Jess Carrington, who joins our Administration team. Jess plays a vital role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the business, ensuring processes run smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes. Her organisation, attention to detail, and proactive approach are already proving to be a fantastic asset to the wider team.

We are also pleased to welcome Alison Dawe as our new Compliance Officer. In an industry where regulatory standards and best practice are paramount, Alison’s expertise and meticulous approach will help us maintain the highest levels of compliance and operational integrity. Her role is central to ensuring that we continue to meet and exceed industry requirements while supporting our clients with confidence.

Joining our leadership team is Jackie Hook, who takes on the role of Financial Manager. Jackie brings strong financial oversight and strategic insight, supporting the continued stability and growth of the organisation. Her experience will help ensure that our financial operations remain robust, transparent, and aligned with our long-term objectives.

Finally, we are excited to welcome Bella Barnett as our Social Media lead. Bella will play a key role in strengthening our online presence, sharing company updates, highlighting team achievements, and showcasing the breadth of projects we deliver across the UK.

Their collective experience and energy are already making a positive impact across the business. We look forward to their continued contributions and are thrilled to have them as part of the McKenzie Arnold Group’s ongoing journey.

Each summer, one of the most anticipated dates in the cultural calendar draws millions of visitors to the capital for a spectacular celebration of music, community, and creativity. Recognised as Europe’s largest street festival — and the second largest in the world — this iconic event is a highlight not only for London but for the global events industry.

McKenzie Arnold Group is incredibly proud to confirm that next summer will mark our 15th consecutive year supporting this world-renowned festival. Reaching this milestone reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership with event organisers and our proven ability to deliver large-scale stewarding operations in complex, high-footfall environments.

Over the years, our role has grown into one of the largest stewarding deployments in the UK. Planning for an event of this scale begins months in advance, with detailed operational strategies covering crowd flow management, access control, safety protocols, incident response, and close collaboration with local authorities and emergency services. On event days, our teams are positioned across key locations to provide reassurance, guidance, and professional oversight to the millions who attend.
Delivering stewarding at this level requires more than numbers — it demands experience, coordination, and a deep understanding of crowd dynamics. Our staff are carefully selected and fully trained to maintain a visible, approachable presence while remaining vigilant and responsive to changing conditions. Their professionalism plays a crucial role in ensuring that the festival remains safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all.

As we approach our 15th year of involvement, we reflect with pride on the dedication of our teams who have supported this event year after year. Their commitment embodies the values of the McKenzie Arnold Group: reliability, excellence, and an unwavering focus on public safety.

We look forward to once again playing our part in delivering a safe and successful festival next summer, contributing to an event that continues to unite communities and celebrate culture on an extraordinary scale.

This year’s Silverstone event marked another major milestone for the McKenzie Arnold Group, with a dedicated team of 120 staff deployed over five days to support one of the most prestigious fixtures in the motorsport calendar. Operating across a dynamic and high-profile environment, our personnel played a central role in ensuring the smooth and secure delivery of the event.

Our responsibilities focused on the North Side Hospitality section, where we provided comprehensive security and stewarding support to guests, partners, and VIP attendees. This area demands the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, and customer service. Our team maintained a visible and reassuring presence, managing access control, assisting visitors, and working closely with event organisers to ensure that hospitality operations ran seamlessly throughout the race weekend.

In addition to daytime operations, we also delivered overnight security for merchandise stands across the site. With valuable stock and infrastructure in place, maintaining a secure environment after hours was critical. Our officers conducted regular patrols, monitored designated zones, and remained vigilant to protect assets and uphold site safety at all times.

Large-scale events such as Silverstone require meticulous planning, effective communication, and experienced leadership. From initial briefings through to final debrief, our management team ensured that every shift was coordinated efficiently and that our staff were fully supported in their roles.

We are immensely proud of the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated by our personnel across the five-day deployment. Their commitment to excellence reflects the core values of the McKenzie Arnold Group and reinforces our reputation as a trusted provider of security and stewarding services at world-class sporting events.

For 14 consecutive years, the McKenzie Arnold Group has proudly supported events at Westfield, delivering professional security and stewarding services across a diverse calendar of concerts, exhibitions, and sporting fixtures. This long-standing partnership reflects the trust placed in our team and our proven ability to operate effectively within high-footfall retail and entertainment environments.

Westfield’s event programme continues to attract major names and large audiences, requiring detailed planning, experienced personnel, and seamless coordination with venue management and event organisers. This year alone, more than 120 of our staff were deployed to support a series of high-profile concerts, including performances by Sam Fenderand Iron Maiden. These large-scale live events demand a visible yet approachable security presence, with teams responsible for access control, crowd flow management, stage-front stewarding, and ensuring the safety and comfort of all attendees.

In addition to concerts, we also supported football fixtures hosted at the venue, with 45 staff members assigned to stewarding and security duties. Sporting events bring their own operational complexities, from managing peak arrival and departure times to maintaining a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for supporters. Our experienced personnel worked diligently to ensure that each fixture was delivered smoothly and professionally.

Our continued involvement at Westfield highlights the strength, flexibility, and reliability of the McKenzie Arnold Group. Whether managing internationally recognised music acts or high-energy sporting events, our teams consistently demonstrate professionalism, vigilance, and exceptional customer service.

We are proud to have built a 14-year legacy at Westfield and look forward to continuing to support its vibrant events programme in the years ahead.