MEET THE BOARD
Our Women’s Security Society board is composed of women from different backgrounds who want to help and inspire other women with their careers. If you are interested in joining our board, please contact us!
Jayne King
Advisor
Jayne King joined the NHS in 1991 and has extensive NHS experience in managing Security Services. Jayne is currently the Head of Security and Site Services at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London which is one of the largest and oldest hospitals in the UK. Prior to her NHS career, Jayne spent 9 years in the Royal Air Force assigned to both National and NATO Forces.
She has served two full terms (six years), as Chair and currently serves as Chair and Executive Director of the National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS); developing links both at home and abroad. She is considered a subject matter expert and renowned speaker in her field of expertise. She is the current chair for SyCom (Security Commonwealth), where she has been instrumental lobbying Government for change along with the National Perceptions Campaign. Jayne has also developed the EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Group within SyCom.
Siân Doherty MSyI
Board member
Secretary and Treasurer
I didn’t plan to find my career within the Security Industry, I started at Arc Monitoring in 2010, after graduating from University in Bristol. I worked within the CCTV control room, working 12-hour shifts 4 on 4 off. I worked during the day and even did the odd night shift. I was very lucky to have a supportive manager who introduced me to this wonderful industry. I took on more and more responsibility within Arc Monitoring, becoming the Control Room Manager after a few years.
In the summer of 2021, I was asked to step up into the role of Managing Director. I feel like I have a unique insight into the technical security world, as a young woman and also as someone who has worked their way up from the front line. I want to ensure that other women are offered the same opportunities to succeed as I was offered in this industry.
Anas Wihaib
Board member
With the original plan of becoming a Scenes of Crime Officer, Anas discovered a different interest looking at the realms of private security for both large corporations and Small Medium Enterprise. She went on to complete her Masters Programme, focusing on the impact of business crime across UK retailers, it was from here that she embarked the start of her career in security partnership. Today Anas holds a wealth of experience in public-private partnerships, business continuity and corporate resilience.Throughout the years she has built her network, in both law enforcement and private security and has worked on a number of counter narrative programmes hoping to bridge the gap between private security and law enforcement.
“I am very proud to join the board of the Women’s Security Society, where I hope to work on a number of innovative projects with the wider board, partners in promoting and professionalising the security industry as a desirable career path for both those embarking on their career, or those considering a new path in their career journey ”
Ruth Ripley
Board member
Ruth’s journey started back in 2013 whilst applying for part-time work to fit around her university studies (a previous stint working in a chip shop had been notoriously unsuccessful!) Through working at her local student nightclub and several national festivals and events, she discovered a passion for managing customer welfare; the diversity of the work opportunities, and challenging the expectations others might have of a 5’4 young female working in security.
Like many others, the industry got under Ruth’s skin, so much so that after a couple of years of teaching, she found herself missing the proactive, reactive, and reflective cycle of security work. Her skills as an educator were subsequently directed into upskilling the next generation of security trainers and professionals through delivering the Award in Education and Training and other security-based courses and taking the proactive approach to learning, is always on the lookout for CPD opportunities both for herself and for others.
Ruth found herself working in a variety of supervisory roles in retail and events before taking the reins of one of the largest contracts in London for FGH Security. Following her passion within the events sector, Ruth is now the UK Events Security Manager for The Walt Disney Company. Ruth’s strengths lie in EDI and tackling stereotypes and stigma attached to the industry to reveal the opportunities available to women in a security career. Ruth’s standards demand equality for all and she loves nothing more than helping others and raising the bar for women in the industry.
This has led to Ruth being a finalist for this year’s Women in Security awards 2022 and her team being finalists in the Security and Excellence awards 2021 & 2022.
Outside of work, Ruth loves to watch rugby, cook, go for long walks with her sausage dog, and socialise over a glass of wine!
Anna-Liisa Tampuu
Board member
Anna-Liisa has over 11 years of experience across the security sector; she is currently working in the public sector. Previously, Anna-Liisa spent almost 7 years working for a global emergency assistance company, gaining valuable experience as the head of intelligence and analysis. Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, in 2019, Anna-Liisa also founded SheTravel, a platform focused on safe travel for women.
Anna-Liisa is passionate about empowering women and providing support for those keen to enter the security sector. She co-chaired the Security Institute's Inclusive Security Special Interest Group for over 3 years and in 2021, the IS SIG was awarded the David Clark Award for Exceptional Contribution to the UK Security Industry by The UK Security Commonwealth. In 2021, Anna-Liisa was selected to join the UN Women UK delegation to the 65th Commission on the Status of Women in 2021, hosted at UN Headquarters, joining online. Anna-Liisa also runs the Minerva initiative, supporting women in the security sector, and documenting the career journeys of women working in the industry.
Anna-Liisa holds an MA in International Relations and Security and a BA in Politics and Governance with a complimentary year in Criminology. After her studies, Anna-Liisa was a trainee with NATO HQ Counter- Terrorism Section in Emerging Security Challenges Division. Anna-Liisa also volunteered as a caseworker for Victim Support in London.
Claire Humble
Advisor
Advancing to senior leadership level in Cleveland and New Zealand Police, Claire has transitioned over to the corporate world, co-founding a Safety & Security Consultancy, Learning and Development and SMART business, Nuology. As an accomplished transformational change agent, Claire has positively impacted many organisations' culture, people, and processes, nationally and globally.
An engaging speaker who captivates multicultural audiences, presenting on topics that resonate with others, such as ‘Transformational Change within Security Sector’, she is frequently invited to attend webinars as a panel member. She holds a Master’s in International Security that complements her vast experience in security, risk and resilience. Advocating Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Claire sits on multiple ED&I working groups in renowned international security institutes.
Judy Atkinson
Board member
Judy started in the security industry nearly 20 years ago at Reliance Security, delivering on all of their services and is now Head of Operations - Area for Securitas UK. She is passionate about delivering a holistic approach to security. She has worked during that time for different size and styles of security companies from operations to account management and sales. She has also run a CAT II Alarm Receiving Centre.
She believes that staff should be our number one priority and all should be paid fairly and have the opportunity to develop.
She is a big advocate for raising the profile for all who work in the security industry and to make it as diverse and inclusive as possible whilst encouraging our next generation to look at this as a career.
Judy is on the board for ASIS International UK Chapter, IFPO, Women’s Security Society and the Co Founder of Running on Empty. She is also an ambassador for White Ribbon and Walksafe.