G4S Events (‘G4S’) has marked the completion of its most successful summer to date with four members of staff graduating from Bucks New University following the completion of a foundation degree in crowd safety management. Managing Director of G4S Events, Mark Hamilton, will also receive an MA in Leadership and Management from the University.

In addition, 388 G4S Events staff have successfully completed their pit safety training course which was delivered by G4S in conjunction with Bucks New University.

Foundation Degree in Crowd Safety Management

The Foundation Degree in Crowd Safety Management, set up by Bucks New University in association with key industry figures, is a part-time distance learning course and is open to all those working within the many different sectors of the events industry. The study is a mix of work based learning, specialist skills development, tutoring and project based studies. The four employees from G4S Events who will graduate with their foundation degree are Chris Burr, Nyree Cooper, Andrew Kelly and Karen Ferry.

Chris Burr, Operations Manager at G4S Events explains how he feels the qualification has helped him in his role:

“ The foundation degree has given me a theoretical basis on which to better understand and manage security and crowd management operations at large scale events and festivals. It has helped me match the experience I had already gained working at events with the theory being taught. I particularly enjoyed learning the theory behind how to work out capacities, occupant queue theories and egress capabilities.”


MA in Leadership and Management

Leading by example, Mark Hamilton, Managing Director, G4S Events will also graduate from Bucks New University this autumn having gained an MA in Leadership and Management with distinction.

Mark Hamilton Managing Director, G4S Events commented:

“At G4S Events, training is core to our operational success. The qualifications offered by Bucks New University provide a theoretical basis on which students can build their understanding of crowd dynamics and their management and leadership skills. I am delighted to see so many of our staff graduating from Bucks New University this year and hope they get as much value from the qualifications as I have.”


Pit safety training

Over 388 G4S staff have achieved a certificate in pit safety training in conjunction with the International Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies at Bucks New University.

This expertise has been put to good use at a range of concerts, to which G4S Events provided security and stewarding staff this summer, including Oasis at Heaton Park and Murrayfield Stadium and Take That at Lancashire Country Cricket Club and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

The courses highlighted in this document are in addition to G4S staff meeting all standard industry training requirements for the roles they fulfil.