Group Head of Physical Security in London

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 23,000 employees spanning over 56 countries. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Global Head of Physical Security to establish and lead a comprehensive corporate security function on a global scale. This strategic leadership role will be responsible for building the security organization from the ground up—including defining policies, standards, and controls that govern physical security and technical security across all global facilities and operations. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in security, risk management, and global program development, with a proven ability to measure success using clear, data-driven metrics.

What will you be doing?

• Strategic Leadership & Program Development
  • Establish and lead a global corporate physical security function aligned with business strategic direction.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain enterprise-wide security policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures to mitigate against physical security risk.
  • Design a global governance structure to ensure consistent application of security policy across regions and business units.
  • Provide SME input and advice to crisis management team and executives.
  • Continuously assess and improve physical and technical security strategies based on evolving threats and business growth.
• Security Operations & Implementation
  • Ensure consistent application of physical and technical security measures across offices, data centres, and critical facilities.
  • Lead the design and implementation of physical security systems (access control, CCTV, alarms, visitor management systems, etc.).
  • Establish and oversee global security operations centre (GSOCs), to identify and assess emerging risks and live events which have the potential to impact business operations and people safety.
  • Define and track key performance and risk indicators (KPI/KRIs) and metrics to measure program effectiveness and risk reduction.
  • Report security posture, incidents, and risk metrics to Chief Risk Officer, executive leadership and the Board as required.
  • Oversee security guarding (man guarding) to ensure delivery of security.
  • Conduct risk assessments and site security evaluations globally to identify threats, vulnerabilities, and gaps and manage orderly remediations.
  • Ensure compliance with regional laws, industry standards (e.g., ISO 27001), and regulatory requirements.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Team Building
  • Build and lead a global security team, including regional security managers and technical experts.
  • Collaborate with key business leaders, facilities, IT, HR, and legal and Risk department to ensure security strategies support operational needs.
  • Develop strong working relationships with external vendors, law enforcement, and international security networks in the geographies the group operates.

What are we looking for?

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in global physical security, corporate security, or protective services.
• Proven success in building and leading global corporate security programs from inception to maturity.
• Strong knowledge of physical and technical security systems, facility protection, access control, and surveillance technologies.
• Experience in developing policies, controls, and standards at the enterprise level for a global corporation.
• Demonstrated ability to define and manage security performance metrics and risk dashboards.
• Experience working in multinational environments and across diverse regulatory jurisdictions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and executive presence.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of an organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in Security Management or Industry certifications such as CPP, PSP, CISSP, or CISM as well as a military background are highly desirable.

What do we offer in return?

A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us: Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new. We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges. We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond.

Reasonable adjustments

We’re committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours or hybrid working. If you’re excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.