Mark Harding has been Managing Director of Showsec since 2002. During his tenure, the company has delivered outstanding quality and growth: from what was once family owned business, Showsec has become an internationally recognised market leader. With an annual turnover exceeding £30 million, and a casual workforce of over 4,000, Showsec operate at over 450 venues across the UK and internationally.
Following a decade of part-time security and crowd management experience, Mark began permanent operational employment with Showsec in 1995 when the iconic Manchester Arena (formerly known as the Manchester Nyex Arena) opened. He was then appointed to Operations Director in 2001 before progressing to Managing Director of Showsec the following year. His substantial experience has led to him to deliver international projects and lecture at Universities and Conferences in both this country and overseas.
Mark is an invited member of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) Strategic Advisory Group, chosen to represent and articulate the commercial viewpoint of the industry to help shape future regulation and policy. With a wealth of industry knowledge, Mark was Chair of the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association (UKCMA) for 10 years until 2019 and was instrumental in the creation of the National Occupation Standards and qualifications for the industry. In 2019, he was asked to head the review of the British Standard BS8406 for Stewarding.
Steering Showsec to be a continuously evolving company with people at its core, Mark pioneers’ consistent excellence and has a passion for forging strong client relationships. His desire for education is evident throughout the company with e-learning modules and training courses on offer for all. Showsec also introduced a bespoke Management Development Programme in partnership with a leading university which has produced over 55 members of operational managers with tailored crowd management and security degrees.
Respected by industry stakeholders, Mark has been at the forefront of co-ordinating commercially competitive groups, government agencies and organisations with diverse interests to achieve industry progress and develop standards. Described as a protagonist, Mark drives the constant evolution of security and crowd management services providing opportunity, raising standards and improving public safety.