CIS Security appreciate and value our Ex-Forces Personnel, Reservists, Cadet Instructors, and their families. As a company, we recognise that through their experience in the Armed Forces, their skill sets are second to none.
Armed Forces
Armed Forces Covenant
CIS currently hold the silver Armed Forces Covenant award and through the Employer Recognition Scheme, we are in the process of achieving gold.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
At CIS, we have an Armed Forces Covenant Group, this consists of three champions; Company Trainer, Lee Leyland, Regional Account Manager, Barry Thompson and Account Director, Darren Roberts. The group is in place to look after our Veterans, Reservists, Cadet Instructors, and their Families.
Please feel free to contact the team through the AFC`s e-mail address and we will endeavour to help where possible: [email protected].
Bios
Lee Leyland
“I was in the British Army for 22 years, serving all around the world and deployed on numerous operational tours in areas of conflict.
On leaving the Army I joined CIS Security as an Officer, working on the HFI contract. At first, this was a difficult period as I found that there was no support for service leavers, you just had to “get on with it”. After a while I was promoted to Supervisor, and I then took a manager’s position looking after 5 sites.
I then took a sideways step to the training team, having gained all my teaching qualifications. To date I am still training and really enjoy working and teaching others. I found my skills were transferrable and I love being able to provide the support to other service leavers that I did not know about when I first left the Army”.
Barry Thompson
“I served in the Army for ten and a half years. I started at the age of 16 as an Apprentice at the Army Apprentices College and finished as a Royal Engineer Soldier. Royal Engineer Soldiers are unique, motivated and intelligent. They are multi-skilled soldiers, combat engineers and tradesmen. They provide essential support to all areas of defence, both in peacetime and during operations.
I was based in the UK and Germany, and in addition to the obvious places of Iraq and Afghanistan, I completed operational tours in the Gulf, Northern Ireland and Bosnia. I also spent a lot of time away from base posting, doing projects and training in other overseas countries such as Canada, Cyprus, Kenya, Norway and Romania.
Life itself was a big change following my time in the forces, I wanted to get my children settled in one location before starting school, and some structure now I would no longer be away for long periods of time on tour. I joined CIS as a Mobile Supervisor nearly 17 years ago, I have had a variety of roles, including working in the Control Room, Area Supervision, Site Management and now I am in Regional Accounts. Although you leave the Army, it never really leaves you, I still keep in contact with many friends made.
Military life is exciting, you never know what is going to happen and you have to stay on your toes, solve problems and make good decisions. Every day is different on deployment. I find that Security is the closest job I could find to this”.
Regional Account Manager
Barry Thompson
Darren Roberts
“I served 24 years In the Royal Corps of Signals, delivering Operational Telecommunications support across the globe (Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Germany, UK).
In 2015 a job opportunity arose with CIS Security for a Security Manager in the Northeast (Newcastle), looking after 3 Corporate Buildings and managing the day to day operations of 11 Security Officers. There was a lot more to this role in terms of IT and System Security and I had to learn the client’s security systems and processes as they are the backbone to the site security infrastructure and visitor management.
In 2018 I was appointed as National Security Manager, continuing the service and contract delivery of the client’s portfolio, assisting with Electronic Access Control and CCTV projects working with clients and vendors to install correct specification electronic security measures.
In mid-2022, CIS tendered for the Ireland manned guarding contract, which facilitates 7 buildings and in late December 2022 we were informed that we had been successful and were awarded the full contract for UK and Ireland Manned Guarding sites. With the award of the contract, we had to put a new structure in place that would be robust with a solid management platform to deliver the Service across UK and Ireland, I was promoted to Account Director.
CIS have a great ethos and many of my transferable skills have played a vital part in my current success with CIS, succession planning does work, and I have been allowed to self-develop and grow with the company”.
Darren Roberts
Account Director
Peter J Faram
“I have been in the Security Industry for 10 years, after leaving the British Army in 2013 as a Brigade Armoured Reconnaissance Commander. I served for 12 years in the Household Cavalry Regiment, Blues and Royals. I had the great pleasure to serve with my regiment in the Middle East, Canada and throughout Europe during my time in the forces. My favourite and most memorable posting however was having the privilege to be a phase one Depot Instructor at Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn. Over the course of two years, I had the honour to train, guide and influence the newer generation of the British Army.
On joining the security industry, I took a supervisor’s position, which quickly led to a promotion to Security Manager. This was a very challenging, and demanding change in responsibilities and culture to what I was used to; however, this experience was the start of my career in security and contract management”.
Over the course of the past decade, I have managed the security some of London’s most iconic locations, including Regents Place, The Shard, Park House, London Bridge City, Amazon HQ UK, and the Paternoster Square. All of which I have gained continuous experience in numerous fields, from Counter Terrorism, Finance, Contract Management and Facilities Management. I strongly believe that the skills I learnt within the Army, and the management style I adopted during my time as an instructor, has led me to become successful in the position I currently hold as Head of Security at Paternoster Square, a location in the very heart of the City of London.
I have been with CIS for almost two years and I can confidently say that the company is the best I have worked for in the past decade. It is very important when leaving the Armed Forces to feel part of a team, even more so in the first 12 months of leaving. CIS operates with a “one team” ethos, with a family feel to it. This ethos is led from the top through the operational structure and to teams on the ground.
The security industry has changed and is changing at a fast pace. With hard work and determination, anyone leaving the Armed Forces can make a solid career within the industry. CIS are willing to provide the support and guidance to start off this process for those wishing to take the leap. As a service leaver, I have the experience to confidently state that ex-military personnel can go all the way if they are willing”.
Peter J Faram
Head of Security
13 Bridges Challenge
Each year, a team of CIS employees take part in the 13 Bridges Challenge to raise money for SSAFA and to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our forces and their families since 1885.
The 13 Bridges Challenge is a great opportunity to raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity by following a route across the 13 iconic bridges in London.
Memorial Day
Every year, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, CIS’ ex Veterans, along with our Managing Director, Neill Catton, put on a service and pay their respects at Lewisham War Memorial.