The finalists for the second annual Workplace Violence Reduction Awards (WVRAs) have been announced, highlighting the individuals and organisations leading the way in tackling workplace violence. The awards recognise excellence across all sectors, celebrating those who are making a meaningful difference in creating safer working environments.
Designed to be both independent and inclusive, the WVRAs are open to anyone demonstrating outstanding commitment to reducing workplace violence. The awards are founded on strong ethical principles and are supported by a wide range of respected industry bodies and special interest groups.
These organisations nominate judges to represent them, including the National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS), IAHSS, Security Industry Federation (SIF), IFPO, Security Commonwealth, Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Safer Business Network, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), Women’s Security Society, WISE UK, National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) and The Portmarnock Group.
This year’s WVRAs ceremony, proudly sponsored by Maybo, will take place on 29 April 2026 at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Co-located with The Safety and Security Series, the event will bring together leaders and professionals from across the sector for a celebratory evening, where the 2026 winners will be revealed and outstanding achievements in workplace violence reduction recognised.
2026 finalists
Outstanding Leadership
Heather Baily – Security Industry Authority
Chris Fieldhouse – The Brooknight Group
Edward Grassby – CareTech
Jordan Howard – GSTS
Matt Johnson – Compass Group UK & Ireland, Medirest
Arsalan Khan – K4 Group of Companies
Layton Lewis – Compass Group UK & Ireland, Medirest at Peterborough City Hospital
Jay Patel – London Borough of Croydon
Daniel Pike – NG Bailey
Luke Redhead – Compass Group UK & Ireland, Medirest at London Northwest University Healthcare Trust
George Reid – East Midlands Ambulance Service
Simon Tagg – Assist Security Group
Michael Turner-Voyzey – HSBC
Outstanding Training Initiative – Sponsored by Nuparadigm
Trauma-Informed Programme – Active Prospects
NHS Security Development Programme – Assist Security Group (ASG)
Relationships for Learning – Carrongrange High School
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Harassment Training Programme – CIS Security
Matt Johnson – Compass Group UK & Ireland, Medirest
De-escalation Skills for ALL 2.0 with Empathy – Melville Jimmy Garber
Northwest L&D Team – HC-ONE
IKON Joint Clinical and Security Training Initiative – London Northwest University Healthcare Trust and Medirest
Violence and Aggression Reduction Training (VART) – Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
Nicola Sproule – Safe Schools and Safe Systems Europe
VAWG & Domestic Abuse Training – Security Industry Federation
Outstanding Partnership Initiative – Sponsored by Invincible
Assist Security Group and NHS Trusts at Croydon, Epsom and St Helier
Glasgow Winter Project – Glasgow City Mission and Salvas Training
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Wiltshire Police
imabi and West End Security Group (WESG)
K4 Group of Companies & BUKO
Medirest Security and The Trust’s Health & Safety Team – Peterborough City Hospital
Medirest Security Management and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Operation Cavell – Merseyside Police and MWL Trust
Project Gemini – Northwick Park Security led by Luke Redhead, in partnership with the Met Police
Tiger Events and Camp VC
Outstanding De-Escalation Skills – Sponsored by Assist Security Group
1st Med Health Solutions
Elvis Imasuen – Capricorn Security Group
Yaovi Apetovi – Compass Group UK & Ireland, Medirest – Peterborough City Hospital
Moin Illyas – Compass Group UK & Ireland, Medirest – Peterborough City Hospital
Antero Fernandes – GSTS
London Northwest University Trust Intervention Team – Ealing & Northwick Park Hospital
Fern Lodge – Provide Care Solutions
Transport Team – Serenity Welfare
Adeel Javed – Sodexo
Outstanding Safe Settings/ Spaces – Sponsored by Trauma Action Group
Croydon, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals in Partnership with Assist Security Group
HSBC Protective Security Team
Jersey Adult Learning Disability Service Residential Team & HCJ Estates Team
Peterborough City Hospital Security Team
Roots & Rise
Tiger Events and Camp VC
Tickets to attend the WVRAs are now on sale. Buy your tickets online at https://www.thewvras.com/attend/ before they sell out.
