Zinc Systems and B&Q celebrate three Retail Risk 2024 Award Nominations

We are thrilled to announce that Zinc Systems and its partners have been shortlisted for three prestigious awards at the Retail Risk 2024 event. These nominations highlight our continued commitment to diversity, online risk management, and leadership in the retail security sector.

1. Diversity and Inclusion Award

Zinc Systems and the University of Northampton have been shortlisted in the Diversity and Inclusion category. This award recognises businesses that have made a significant impact in promoting diversity and inclusion within their workplace.

In partnership with B&Q, Zinc Systems has been dedicated to fostering diversity in the B&Q Crime Centre, B&Q’s intelligence function managed by Zinc. Our primary focus has been empowering young women graduates to build and thrive in careers within the security industry, which remains heavily male-dominated. In the UK security sector, the ratio of men to women is 7:1, according to the Security Industry Authority (SIA). In contrast, the B&Q Crime Centre has successfully cultivated a diverse workforce where 67% of the team identifies as female, achieving a 2:1 female-to-male ratio.

Moreover, 83% of these female team members are direct entrants from university, showcasing the effectiveness of the partnership between Zinc Systems and the University of Northampton. The university’s Corporate and Criminal Investigation degree course is designed to develop graduates who are well-prepared to enter the private security industry, crime investigation units, and corporate intelligence roles. This collaboration ensures that graduates, especially young women, are equipped with the skills and support needed to address the challenges in these traditionally male-dominated fields. This focus on inclusion and diversity is a driving force behind our nomination.

2. Online Risk Management Team of the Year

The B&Q Crime Centre, operated by Zinc Systems, has been nominated for the Online Risk Management Team of the Year award. This award recognises the most outstanding online retail team for their achievements over the past year.

The B&Q Crime Centre is central to B&Q’s security strategy, providing critical, actionable security intelligence not only to B&Q but also to its security partners, retail peers, and law enforcement. The team, structured into three pillars – Engagement, Investigations, and Data & Analysis—handles approximately 3,000 crime reports and security incidents every month.

One of the key successes this year was the implementation of the Engagement Strategy, which significantly increased incident reporting from 60% of locations in 2023 to an impressive 98% in 2024. The consistent monthly engagement rate now sits at 80%. By improving reporting accuracy, the Crime Centre has been able to provide a clearer picture of the challenges B&Q faces, leading to more informed decisions about the deployment of security resources.

One notable achievement of the Crime Centre was Operation Rupert, an investigation into an organised crime group (OCG) targeting B&Q stores in Scotland. The OCG, comprising nine individuals, was involved in stealing high-value power tools. The Crime Centre’s analysis and intelligence dissemination led to the identification of six members of the group by Police Scotland, resulting in significant disruption of their activities. This is just one example of how the Crime Centre’s integrated approach has delivered tangible results in reducing risk and crime for B&Q.

The Data & Analysis pillar has also played a crucial role, developing detailed dashboards and reports that support B&Q’s security operations. These dashboards are an essential part of the daily functioning of the Crime Centre, enabling data-driven decisions and improving overall operational efficiency.

3. Regional Profit Protection Manager of the Year

Finally, Jo Bloomfield, Head of the B&Q Crime Centre, has been shortlisted for the Regional Profit Protection Manager of the Year award. This award recognises an individual for their outstanding contributions to retail security and profit protection over the past year.

Jo has been with the Crime Centre since 2012 and has held multiple roles, including triage, investigator, and data analyst. Her broad experience and dedication led to her promotion to Head of the Crime Centre in 2023. Upon taking this leadership role, Jo quickly identified the need for a comprehensive strategic review, which she structured into three pillars: Investigations, Data Analysis, and Engagement.

Her leadership has strengthened collaboration across the team and driven improvements in resilience, ensuring that the Crime Centre operates more effectively. Jo’s empathetic and methodical approach has made her a respected mentor within the team, guiding colleagues through their development and encouraging them to reach their full potential. She has also built strong relationships with external partners, including law enforcement, including Pegasus and retail peers, further enhancing the Crime Centre’s operational impact.

B&Q’s Head of Security, Simon Moss, praised Jo’s leadership, saying:

I have worked with Jo for many years and have seen her grow into the exceptional leader she is today. Under her leadership, the Crime Centre has gone from strength to strength, and she is a true asset to our team.

These three nominations are a testament to the hard work and dedication of Zinc Systems, B&Q, and the University of Northampton. Together, we are driving innovation, fostering diversity, and strengthening security across the retail sector.

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