Specialized Security Staffing Update

Specialized Security have been at the heart of major festivals and outdoor events for over three decades.

We run with exceptional governance, a close-knit core management team and an office support team helping to recruit and deploy industry-leading and award-winning crowd management and security services to some of the UK’s biggest events.

It is thanks to the commitment, professionalism and expertise of our staff that we have seen such success over the years, and we have built a strong foundation for a sustainable future.

While last year saw Specialized Security staff on site at more events, adding exciting new clients and building on long-standing existing working relationships – we cannot dispute the fact that the costs of running a business like ours have continued to increase and that we have faced barriers to the ways in which we deliver our services.

We are proud to be an SIA ACS accredited company, and as part of our aim to strive for continuous improvement, we regularly review our processes and organisational focus. As we prepare for the coming year – the directors of the company have explored a variety of financial restructuring options to reinforce our long-term organisational goals.

Retirement

Tom Clements, Financial Director at Specialized Security has worked within the outdoor events sector for nearly forty years and has been a guiding light in the organisation’s development and growth. He has chosen to take a step back from Specialized, with plans to retire in February 2026. Tom has been a defining figure for the company, and we have the upmost respect, appreciation and gratitude for his continued dedication and wish him all the best in his retirement. Tom will continue to support the company during the transitional phase, with Alex Williamson taking on financial responsibilities.

On his time at Specialized Security, Tom said: “After 36 years with Specialized, it feels like the right moment to step back from the day-to-day and begin a new chapter. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside some outstanding people and to be part of an industry that continues to challenge, evolve and inspire. Specialized has been a huge part of my life and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve built together.

Role Restructure

Following a comprehensive role review process and conversations with current staff, certain roles have been phased out over the last month to streamline working practices.

It is with regret, that we say goodbye to Aaron Sievewright (Operations & Training Manager), Rebecca Martin (Deployment Manager), Carol Robertson (Finance & Payroll Assistant) and Lorraine Parker (Quartermaster). They collectively represent almost 15 years with the company, and we are incredibly grateful for the years of hard work, insight and fresh perspectives that they each brought to their roles as well as personally embedding our values.

Kara Williamson and John Thompson remain committed to the continuity of service we provide to our clients and the future of the organisation with steadfast leadership. They are both well-respected figures within the business and across the events sector.

On the restructuring, Kara added: “We have an extraordinary team, and losing anyone is a decision that we have not taken lightly. We continue to navigate a challenging environment and in order to achieve our ambitions, we need to shift the focus and leverage the professional expertise within our team. Moving people into roles that best suit their experience strengthens our approach and organisational mindset and will aid us to continue on the path to success as a business.”

“Personally, I wish to extend my thanks to Tom, Aaron, Rebecca, Carol and Lorraine and wish them all the best in the next steps in their journeys”.

Specialized Security will be opening recruitment for our seasonal event team in March 2026. You can keep up to date with the latest news and announcements by following us on social media. We regularly update our Facebook and Instagram pages with news about upcoming shifts and new events. Additional updates about the financial restructure will be included in the 2026 Staff Handbook, which will be available on the Staff Portal.

We look forward to an exciting year, and a busy summer of festivals in 2026.