There can be no doubt that the MBE awarded to retired ASC Chair, Joe Connell, in the King’s Birthday Honours, is richly deserved.
Joe has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to security industry, counter-terrorism, and international security capacity building over a lifetime.
Roger Noakes, ASC Vice Chairman said “Joe has a lifetime of commitment to public service with the golden thread of professionalism throughout. This spans police service work, FCDO sponsored state capacity building, and outstanding voluntary work in the security sector.”
In 1974 Joe joined the Metropolitan Police as a cadet and served with distinction for 32 years. Amongst his many achievements during this time was the implementation of one the first internal reporting programmes against corruption in the Met. He was also instrumental in persuading the Association of Chief Police Officers to support the development of intelligence collection and sharing process on a national basis. This process was described by Chief Constable Mike Hedges, the then Chair of ACPO-TAM, as being “Years ahead of its time”.
Since leaving the police service, he has been a lynchpin of capacity building overseas. He has taught as a police expert across the world, bringing with him decades of experience. He has led and empowered teams in Somaliland on justice reform, helping combat sexual and gender-based violence and enhancing CT capabilities.
Outside of his consultancy work he has been an exceptional advocate for professionalising
the security industry. He has for 15 years been a London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Ambassador. During his time as an ambassador, he has mentored start-ups and entrepreneurs, and has regularly contributed to the work of the LCCI Defence & Security Committee.
As a director, and then Chairman of the ASC, he has overseen a period of unprecedented growth in terms of people, skills and influence – always with the ambition to
promote and raise standards in the industry. In 2017 he was elected Chairman of the UK Security Commonwealth (SyCom), the umbrella body for independent membership, trade and regulatory organisations. He led the design and use of a more inclusive governance structure increasing SyCom scope and influence.
Roger Noakes, ASC Vice Chairman finished “Joe is an inspirational leader and manager who, throughout his career has excelled by getting the best from his people - both within his team and the wider organisation.
“The association is proud and honoured to have had Joe as our chairman. We can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition”.