James Kelly steps down from CEO’s role at the British Security Industry Association
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has announced that James Kelly (pictured) is stepping down from his role as CEO. In the interim, David Wilkinson – director of technical services at the Trade Association – will oversee the myriad responsibilities underpinning this key role as the search for a new leader begins in earnest.
After graduating with a degree in law, Kelly moved into the commercial world and held roles in business efficiency improvement and project planning for the Royal Mail. Consultancy work then followed, with further appointments encompassing the promotion of standards in both engineering and computing.
Kelly subsequently joined the Law Society as marketing services manager. Here, he was responsible for promoting legal services within the confines of a highly regulated profession and advised law firms on their development strategy.
He was later appointed director of marketing and business development at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, where he led the strategy aimed at raising the profession’s national profile and standards. Kelly developed business partnerships with some of the UK’s leading corporations, among them Rolls-Royce and Centrica, in order to maintain the Institution’s ongoing relevance to professional development as well as technical skills standards.
In 2000, Kelly was appointed chief operating officer of the Direct Marketing Association, where he was responsible for revenue generation, cost control and member service delivery. Promoted to the role of managing director within two years, Kelly led the representation of a multi-channel industry to the media, Government and regulators. In the first few years of his tenure, he led the organisation from one that was deficit-facing to become one making annual cash surpluses on a consistent footing.