This year marks a significant milestone for Securitas as the STARS programme reaches its ten-year‑ anniversary. As we mark this milestone, we reflect on a journey defined by continuous innovation and a commitment to making our clients’ world a safer place. We are proud to celebrate not only how far the programme has come, but also the people whose passion and expertise made this progress possible.
The vision behind STARS
The programme, as we know it today, was created by Jacey Bloomberg in 2016. At the time, she worked as an Area Director and was tasked with finding ways to enhance our existing standard receptionist programme. After conducting market research and gathering feedback from clients, she envisioned a blended role that extended beyond reception services.
Security Trained Assistance and Reception Services (STARS) combined front-of-house responsibilities with a vigilant, skilled security presence, delivered by individuals trained not only to represent a brand, but also to secure a site. By merging these responsibilities into one highly capable role, our clients benefitted from a more cost-effective solution that removed the need for separate security and reception positions.
By redefining the front-of-house role, Jacey’s ambitions extended further than operational benefits. Her vision was not only to deliver service excellence, but also to make security an attractive place to work, especially for women, by creating meaningful career pathways in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Jacey Bloomberg, Director STARS, reflects on the past decade of growth:
“STARS continues to amaze me, even after ten years. I still feel genuine joy watching the programme grow every day. Ten years ago, our current global footprint would have felt like a wish list. Today, that wish list is our reality. A decade on, it feels like we are only at the beginning of its journey. The sky truly is the limit.”
The STARS journey so far
In 2016, Jacey developed the STARS programme alongside her full-time role, driven by her dream that one day it would be a significant, independent offering within Securitas.
She began by introducing the concept to clients that she already had strong relationships with, based on their existing service needs. The programme launched with just four personnel in central London. Growth was steady to begin with, but the team were determined that their idea would transform the industry.
Francesca Halton Tamlyn, joined the team in 2018 as STARS Branch Manager in London, which was a pivotal moment in the programme’s development. Establishing a dedicated branch ensured proof of concept and demonstrated that the wider business was on board with the vison.
Launching our global journey
In 2019, we welcomed our first global client when a leading global technology company partnered with us at four of their office locations, soon expanding to seven sites worldwide.
Endorsement from a global powerhouse, marked the beginning of international growth. The team began travelling worldwide to deliver training and support the programme’s expansion into new regions and industries.
This momentum naturally paved the way for Jacey to step into the role of full‑time STARS Director in January 2020, ensuring the programme had dedicated leadership to support its growing global impact.
Shaun Kennedy, COO Europe, who has seen growth first-hand from the very beginning, comments:
“From the moment it launched, it was clear STARS carried enormous potential. Watching it grow into a globally recognised service has been remarkable. It embodies the absolute best of who we are: innovative, people-focused and committed to excellence. Its expansion worldwide shows the strength of the framework and the trust our clients place in it.”
Evolving our approach in a changing world
As our client portfolio continued to expand, we faced one of our greatest challenges and opportunities. While the COVID-19 pandemic transformed how the world operated, the development of our people and the delivery of our services could not stand still.
With global travel restricted, the team swiftly adapted the training model, converting in-person training to live remote sessions, ensuring the experience remained fully face-to-face despite being online. Within just two weeks, a climate-specific module was rolled out worldwide.
The shift to live remote sessions became a catalyst for accelerated global growth, enabling training to reach every region.
STARS played a vital role in supporting clients as they adapted to an evolving environment. With the return to the office bringing increased focus on access management, security protocols, and operational reassurance, the service not only remained highly relevant but continued to thrive despite fundamental changes to the way the world operates.
Building an inclusive and accessible workplace environment
As our platform grew, we continued to invest in developing our people, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and support needed to deliver an exceptional and consistent experience worldwide.
Our strong focus on equity, diversity and inclusion has enriched the training model through modules on working and therapy dogs, neurodiversity, and supporting people with visual and non-visual disabilities. In 2022, we built on this commitment by introducing Deaf Awareness training, supported by Chloe Brooke, whose sign language skills helped shape the module. Shaun Kennedy then advocated for the module to be rolled out through employee inductions across the wider business due to its clear value and impact, helping to reinforce our commitment to an inclusive and accessible customer service experience where every visitor feels supported.
To support our global growth and align with Securitas’ sustainability goals, we enhanced accessibility by transitioning all training materials to fully digital formats, making them more sustainable and user-friendly. Recruitment and learning resources now include built-in adjustments for colleagues with ADHD, dyslexia and other learning needs, such as voice-to-type functionality and shaded focus sections.
Showcasing service excellence
As our people develop their skills, we are increasingly being recognised for excellence across multiple fields, further strengthening our reputation and impact. This includes being nominated for the ‘Outstanding Security Training Initiative’ award at the OSPAs, a prestigious award ceremony in the security sector.
In 2025, Isabella Bagot was named a Corporate Receptionist of the Year Finalist, reflecting the high calibre front-of-house capability that our STARS trainers continue to invest in.
Reflecting on ten years of growth
What started as a small idea in 2016, a decade later, has grown into a thriving global initiative that has truly revolutionised front-of-house services. STARS has reshaped expectations across the industry and created opportunities for people who never saw themselves in security.
Today, the offering is simply known as Securitas STARS. As our people and service developed, the acronym was removed to reflect the expanded scope of the programme and its further ambition, reach, and impact far beyond front-of-house.
STARS has proven that when you invest in people, performance improves, trust grows and excellence becomes the standard.
- We now have more than 900 STARS operating across 27 countries.
- Over 20 Global trainers who ensure consistent service delivery worldwide.
- Trusted by 89 clients across a diverse range of industries.
- Training started as a one-day course, it is now a full two-day programme.
As we look ahead to the next decade, the programme continues to evolve. We are in the final stages of launching three different vertical work streams with tailored pathways designed to support excellence across a growing range of operational environments.
Several strands are now in advanced stages of development including: Data Center STARS, SOC (Security Operations Center) STARS and Corporate STARS, with further expansion planned over the coming years.
This progress is a testament to the unwavering commitment, expertise and passion of everyone involved and signals an exciting future still ahead.
