Assist Security Group Wins Four Awards at 2026 OSPAs

Healthcare security specialist recognised for outstanding company performance, training innovation, customer service and leadership at the UK's most prestigious security awards

Assist Security Group (ASG) collected four awards at the 2026 Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) on 19 February – more than any other organisation on the night – reinforcing its reputation as one of the UK's most innovative security providers.

The ceremony, held at the Royal Lancaster London and attended by more than 600 security professionals, saw ASG win:

• Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding) – Assist Security Group
• Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director – Paul Chubb
• Outstanding Customer Service Initiative – One Person One Voice
• Outstanding Security Training Initiative – NHS Security Development Programme

ASG had been named a finalist in all nine categories for which it was nominated in December 2025. Winning four of those nine made it the most decorated organisation at this year's event.

Troy Hewitt, CEO of Assist Security Group, said: "Four OSPAs in one night. I'm incredibly proud of the team. These awards belong to the officers, supervisors and managers who turn up every day and make a real difference. We've always believed contract security should be a genuine partner, not just a uniform on site. This tells us the industry sees it that way too."

Life-saving impact across the NHS

Three of ASG's four wins are directly linked to its work across NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations including Guy's & St Thomas', Croydon Health Services, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals, East Kent Hospitals, Tower Hamlets GP Care Group, and South London and Maudsley. ASG manages more than 100 security professionals handling thousands of incidents each month across its hospital sites, achieving a 99% success rate against three-minute response targets.

ASG's NHS Security Development Programme, launched in January 2025, has trained 477 clinical staff across 3,816 hours. Since launch, assaults on security staff fell by 50% at Epsom, 36.67% at St Helier and 4.55% at Croydon – despite the number of incidents rising at two of those sites. At St Helier, where the security team handles approximately 500 incidents each month, officers prevented nine suicides in a single year.

The One Person One Voice approach, which won the Outstanding Customer Service Initiative award, ensures a single trained individual leads all communication during high-risk interactions. This reduces confusion and overstimulation, particularly for patients experiencing mental health crises. Delivered at 30% lower cost than traditional programmes and achieving a 98% pass rate, the initiative has also contributed to a 2.2% reduction in staff injuries and a 7% improvement in positive staff feedback about security.

Award-winning leadership

Paul Chubb, Security Manager for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, was named Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director. Managing 50 security professionals across 3,500–4,000 annual incidents, Paul led the rollout of the NHS Security Development Programme at his sites. He has led responses to critical incidents including the safe detention of an armed suspect linked to a murder investigation. His push for better incident data and reporting lifted compliance by 20%.

Chris Ford, Group Deputy Director of Facilities at St George's, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Groups, said: "Paul has been instrumental in driving standards and consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership. His ability to balance operational challenges with a proactive approach has had a direct and positive impact on the hospital environment."

A standout year

The OSPAs cap a standout year for ASG, which also won Healthcare Team of the Year and the Violence Prevention and Reduction Award at the National Association for Healthcare Security (NAHS) Awards in November 2025. The company's operational subsidiary has grown 41% annually between 2021 and 2024, serving clients across healthcare, retail, corporate and hospitality sectors.

Three of ASG's four OSPA-winning categories automatically qualify for the 3rd Global OSPAs in 2027, putting ASG in contention for global recognition.

Assist Security Group Email: sales@assistsecurity.co.uk

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Images

OSPAs-ASG-Team-1.jpg - Left to right, top to bottom: Chris Ford, Group Deputy Director of Facilities at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group; Steve Lamley, Security and Parking Manager at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust; Paul Chubb, Contract Security Manager at ASG; Gavin Ward, Director at ASG Protect; Paul Grzegorzek, Account Director at ASG; Adrianne Carter at The Face Whisperer; Troy Hewitt, CEO at ASG; Cameron Cottell, Business Development Manager at ASG; Natalia Draghici, Business Development Manager at ASG; Shani Baldwin, Hospital Security Supervisor at ASG; Luke Overy, Security Officer at ASG; Lewis Elkins, Group Commercial Director at ASG.

OSPAs-ASG-Troy-Hewitt-CEO.jpeg: Troy Hewitt, CEO at ASG.

About Assist Security Group ASG provides security and risk management services combining physical security, electronic solutions, intelligence services and specialist advisory capabilities. The company serves clients across retail, healthcare, corporate and hospitality sectors through two primary divisions: Assist Security (physical security services) and ASG Protect (risk advisory). Under the leadership of CEO Troy Hewitt, ASG has over 30 years of security industry experience and employs around 300–320 people, delivering over £15 million in services annually.

About the OSPAs The Outstanding Security Performance Awards celebrate excellence across the security profession. The 2026 UK ceremony took place at the Royal Lancaster London on 19 February 2026, with Axon as headline sponsor. Winners from 14 categories qualify for the 3rd Global OSPAs in 2027. More information: uk.theospas.com