After its first year in operation, the FSA has established itself as a highly effective trade body and now wishes to consolidate and expand on its success through the creation of this new role.
Steve Kimber, Chairman of the FSA, said: "We are delighted to welcome Stefan to the FSA, where his expertise will no doubt be of enormous benefit to our offering to members and the industry at large in his role as Head of the FSA."
As the largest representative body in the fire and security industry, Stefan's role will be to further develop the FSA's membership base and consolidate its reputation as the voice of the industry. He will act as the focal point of the FSA as the source of advice and guidance for members on all matters concerning the industry, and will work closely with the regional management teams to promote, recruit and retain industry specialists.
Stefan joins the FSA from Skills for Security, the industry skills and standards setting body, where he was Director of Business Development and Communication.
Initially, as Director of Strategic Development, Stefan played a key role in the launch of Skills for Security in January 2006 and held responsibility for sector consultation, commercial policy and, together with the Interim Chief Executive, strategic direction. He was the organisation's contact to various Government bodies and agencies, the education sector, key industry stakeholders and trade bodies.
Stefan says, "I am extremely happy to be joining the FSA at such an exciting time, where so much vital work is underway for the benefit of the future of the fire and security industry. I look forward to rising to the challenge and hope my experience in this field will allow me to deliver positive results."
Stefan's previous roles include Deputy Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and Managing Director of its training subsidiary, the Security Industry Training Organisation (SITO) from 2002, until it was incorporated into Skills for Security.
He joined SITO in 1998 as Contract and Development Manager, having embarked on his career in the security industry at Firm Security Group Ltd in 1992. He worked his way up from Security Officer to Area Operations Manager, where he was responsible for the security for a large number of blue chip organisations in central London, the City, and throughout the South East and was then promoted to National Training Manager.
Before joining the security industry Stefan was an officer in the Merchant Navy and Contracts Manager for Heron Freight Distribution.
In recent years, Stefan has worked closely with the SIA Competency Team to develop the Core Competency Specifications for CCTV Operation, Door Supervision, Security Guarding, Cash-in-Transit, Close Protection and Dog Handling and has worked with a number of agencies to determine the ongoing role of the Private Security Industry in Community Safety, the Counter Terrorism effort and in relation to the 2012 Games.
He is a former Board member of the Confederation of European Security Suppliers and was President of its training committee. Stefan is a registered expert on the Private Security Industry to the European Commission, a regular contributor to industry trade journals, a Fellow of the Security Institute and Member of the Risk and Security Management Forum.