About AUCSO

Geoff Brown
Head of Community Safety and Campus Security, University of Leeds

Geoff Brown brings over four decades of experience in law enforcement, security management, and community safety. His career began in 1982 with West Yorkshire Police, where he specialised in Road Policing before advancing into the Firearms Support Unit. There, he qualified as an Intervention Officer, a Close Protection Officer, and a Tactical Advisor.

In 2001, Geoff transitioned to North Yorkshire Police, taking the lead on the Close Protection team. He was responsible for managing security operations for high-profile visits, including those of the British Royal Family, members of Parliament, and foreign dignitaries.

After retiring from policing in 2012, Geoff took his expertise overseas, joining Heritage Energy Middle East as a security consultant. In this role, he managed the logistics and security of both local and expatriate employees in the search for new oil deposits in Iraq.

Returning to the UK, Geoff assumed the role of Security Manager at the University of York, where he spearheaded a transformation in campus security. Under his leadership, the security team evolved from a traditional asset protection unit into the Campus Safety Team - an approachable, student-focused department that prioritises welfare and safeguarding. His initiatives led to increased staffing, enhanced training, and the launch of a state-of-the-art Campus Safety Hub and control room.

In September 2024, Geoff joined the University of Leeds as Head of Community Safety and Campus Security. Despite the larger student and staff population in Leeds and its metropolitan setting, his mission remains the same: to foster a supportive, engaged, and 24/7 accessible safety team. With capital funding secured, Geoff is leading a five-year transformation project to modernise the university’s security infrastructure and operations.

Beyond his institutional roles, Geoff has been an active member of the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO). He served as Chair of the Northern Region from 2017 to 2019, was elected Vice Chair in 2023, and is set to succeed Ollie Curran as AUCSO Chair in April 2025.

Gary Stephen
Head of Security & Logistics, Estates Directorate, University of Glasgow

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades in law enforcement, security management, and strategic operations, Gary has built a strong reputation and is widely respected as a leader in security, risk management, and operational excellence.

Gary trained in infantry and weapons tactics with the Royal Air Force before beginning service in the Metropolitan Police Force, where he spent 16 years in various roles. During this tenure, Gary led intelligence-driven operations while fostering strong relationships with policing agencies.

Transitioning from law enforcement to the private security sector, Gary became a Contract Manager at MITIE Security, overseeing national blue-chip clients, including Vodafone, Network Rail, and Diageo. Progressing to Senior Operations Manager for Scotland, Gary managed seven operational managers and a workforce of 773 security officers, ensuring effective service delivery and financial management.

A move to HFD Group in 2014 provided an opportunity to lead security strategy for high-profile developments, including NPSA-accredited data centres, secure government buildings, and university properties. There, Gary played a key role in implementing ISO 9001 standards, improving security operations, and integrating cutting-edge technology to meet industry best practices.

Since 2016, Gary has served as Head of Security & Logistics at the University of Glasgow, a leading institution with over 42,000 students and 9,000 staff. Overseeing security, transport, stores, and digital strategy, Gary has led major modernisation initiatives, including the construction of an advanced security control room integrating CCTV, intruder alarms, and access control systems. In addition, strategic leadership has driven improvements in university logistics, sustainability efforts, and operational efficiencies.

From 2020 to 2021, Gary took on the additional role of Head of Operations, directing facilities management, maintenance, cleaning, and waste management during a significant departmental restructuring. The ability to manage complex organisational change while maintaining staff morale and operational efficiency demonstrated strong leadership capabilities.

As Scotland Regional Chair of the Association of Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) from 2022-2024, Gary played a key role in counter-terrorism strategy, policing partnerships, and Martyn’s Law advocacy, representing the higher education sector at conferences and government meetings.

Bringing extensive experience in crisis management, operational leadership, and stakeholder engagement, Gary continues to be a respected figure in the security industry, driving excellence in public sector and higher education security.

Qualifications:

• Counter Terrorism BTEC Diploma
• IOSH (Risk Assessment/Managing Safely)
• ISO 9001 Internal Auditors Course