In 1991 Grunge hit the UK and with it came a whole new issue of safety at concerts: Surfing. This craze seemed to be misunderstood by, at that time, Bouncers acting as Concert Security. There was a cry from bands for the need of a new style of security, one that understood the music, the genre and most importantly the fans.
And so the story begins
Two years later – Colin Lish and Steve Head joined a concert security company and with their knowledge and love of music, accepted the challenge and set out on a quest to find music-loving security staff… and so the story begins.
In 1993, Brit Pop exploded: Oasis, Pulp, Blur and the Verve took the UK music scene by storm and a whole new type of fan was born. Aggressive, boisterous and led by a bond of camaraderie with their fellow fans produced a very different issue at concerts: mass crowd movement.
This produced the need for bands to have a voice regarding the safety of their fans and that’s where Colin and Steve found a niche.
So, from 1993 to 2000, they worked tirelessly to find Security Staff that understood the music, the genre, what issues came with each artist and a solution to give the band a voice and say in the safety of their fans.
A clients list that looks like a historical view of BRIT and Grammy winners
In 2000 Headline Security Management Ltd (HSM Ltd) was born and here we are 24 years later with a current client list that looks like a historical view of BRIT and Grammy winners.
We stringently look at the client, its genre, its history and then select the member or members of staff that are best suited. This has always been our way and that’s the key to our 24 year’s success.
All our staff are registered with the UK SIA and are vetted by Her Majesty’s Police Force.
HSM hold a specialist Insurance policy that is bespoke to Close Protection Contractors specialising in the entertainment and music industries
Practical experience and academic theory
In 2012 Colin, Steve and David White (the company's Crowd Management Consultant), agreed that to give advice on behalf of touring artists in regards to safety of their fans, should not only be based on practical experience but underpinned by the science of Crowd Dynamics, the understanding of Crowd Behaviour and Crowd Safety by design, and all took on the prestigious ‘Crowd Safety Management Degree at Bucks New University, the international centre for Security Studies.
All gained their Bachelor of Science Degrees in this specialist field.
HSM Ltd management team support their staff on tours 24/7 and are always on hand to advise and assist.
With HSM Ltd you have a Touring Security Company that understands the importance of the fan to the artist, understands the genre attached to the artist style of music and accept that they are the voice of the artist and the fan when it comes to safety and security for all.