We are proud to announce that Les Allan has joined Audiebant as our new Senior Consultant. Les arrives with a career that few in the security and safety profession can match — more than 53 years of service across policing, government, and senior security and safety leadership. His appointment marks an exciting chapter for our team and for the clients we serve.
A lifetime dedicated to safety and security
Over five decades, Les has built a reputation as one of the most respected voices in the global security sector. His work has always been guided by a simple conviction: that protecting people, places, and reputations demands both hard-won experience and a willingness to think differently.
His skillset reflects that philosophy. Les specialises in revitalising security services with innovative solutions, integrating technology into everyday operations, conducting rigorous threat assessments, and developing the strategic security masterplans that organisations rely on when the stakes are highest. With decades of crisis management experience behind him, he has become a trusted contributor to community protection and reputation management alike.
Leadership on the global stage
Before joining Audiebant, Les served as Director of Safeguarding Services at Heriot-Watt University, holding a global remit across the institution’s five campuses worldwide. His portfolio there spanned health and safety, security, emergency planning, and logistics — a breadth of responsibility that speaks to the trust placed in his judgement.
Les is also a former Chairman of the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), a body representing 240 member institutions across 22 countries. His tenure there was defined by reform and renewal, and his influence continues to be felt across the sector.
Recognition earned over a distinguished career
Les’s contribution to the profession has been recognised at the highest levels. Among the highlights:
- Named International Leader of the Year at the INTERSEC Awards in the United Arab Emirates in January 2023.
- Awarded Fellowship of AUCSO in April 2025 for his contribution to global security — becoming only the 4th person worldwide to hold that honour.
- Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Risk Management.
- Ranked No. 2 in the world in the Security End Users category in the 2020 IFSEC Global rankings, and No. 4 in the same category in 2021.
- Recipient of the Security Commonwealth Dave Clark Award for Exceptional Contribution to the UK Security Industry.
Beyond his own accolades, Les has served as a judge for the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), the Security & Fire Excellence Awards, and the INTERSEC Awards in the Middle East. He has also contributed to the Advisory Board of the International Foundation of Protection Officers (IFPO) and, until recently, sat on the Board of the National Association of Healthcare Security (NAHS).
A champion for collaboration and the next generation
What sets Les apart is not simply the length of his career, but the way he has chosen to spend it. He is a persuasive advocate for investment in the global education security sector and a tireless promoter of shared best practice. Throughout his work he has sought to break down silo thinking, forging strategic alliances and mutual aid partnerships across the wider security industry.
During his time at AUCSO, that instinct translated into tangible change. Les led a programme of reform that modernised the Association’s structures, refreshed its media presence, introduced accredited training and webinar programmes, and placed equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of its work. He forged formal partnerships — through Memorandums of Understanding — with organisations including the Institute of Strategic Risk Management, the Higher Education Business Continuity Network, the Campus Protection Society of Southern Africa, IFPO, and NAHS.
Les is equally committed to the people coming up behind him. A dedicated mentor, he actively invests in emerging leaders, championing mentorship programmes that pair senior managers with talented individuals to support career progression and succession planning. As he has often demonstrated, real progress happens when experience and knowledge are shared freely.
A familiar face on the global stage
Les remains a sought-after guest speaker and panellist at conferences and leadership webinars around the world. His engagements have taken him from Sydney to Las Vegas to Johannesburg, and everywhere he goes he carries the same message: that the security and safety industry deserves greater investment, stronger collaboration, and a firm commitment to continuous improvement.
He has also served on the Scottish Government’s PREVENT Group and the Edinburgh Resilience Forum, supporting strategies for major incident response.
Looking ahead
Les’s exceptional enthusiasm, commitment, and strategic vision make him a natural fit for Audiebant. His talent for building alliances, modernising practice, and mentoring the next generation aligns perfectly with the values we hold as a consultancy.
Please join us in giving Les a warm welcome to the team. We look forward to the insight, energy, and leadership he will bring to our clients and colleagues alike.
To learn more about how Audiebant helps organisations strengthen their security and safety strategies, get in touch with our team.
