IFSEC Global has announced that Aotearoa – New Zealand’s Andrew Thorburn will succeed Canada’s Grant Lecky as Head Judge for the internationally recognised 2023 IFSEC Global Influencer Awards.
In what is a major international coup for New Zealand’s security sector, industry stalwart Andrew Thorburn will this year succeed Grant Lecky as head judge of the widely recognised IFSEC Global Influencers in Security.
As Head Judge, Andrew will lead the compilation of an international panel of security judges, guiding them throughout the process to ensure nominations remain of high quality and scoring is consistent across the process.
A perennial IFSEC Global Influencers awards recipient himself, Andrew assumes this new role with plenty of experience behind him, including as a tirelessly energetic industry champion and volunteer.
An outspoken and passionate advocate for professionalism, ethics, and inclusivity within the sector, Andrew has been the quiet and selfless driving force behind initiatives such as the Women in Security Awards Aotearoa (WiSAA), youth-focused security careers events, and initiatives aimed at tearing the many barriers and siloes in the sector down, such as the New Zealand Security Sector Network (NZSSN).
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Andrew is a long-time voluntary supporter of ASIS New Zealand Chapter, and a former Chapter chairperson, and he has done much to forge links with professional associations and networks beyond the ‘physical security’ domain, including with (ISC)2, the Women in Security & Resilience Alliance (WISECRA), the New Zealand Network for Women in Security (NZNWS), and others.His thought leadership contributions have been distributed across a range of forums within the industry, including conferences, webinars, and workshops, and as a contributor to publications such as NZSM and Line of Defence Magazine.
An exceptionally talented Security Consultant, Andrew is Enterprise Security & Risk Manager at security distributor Atlas Gentech, a former ASIS International Board Certification holder, and NZSA New Zealand Security Awards Security Consultant of the Year for 2018.
“The opportunity to be working closer with inspirational and influential leaders within the global security community meant I did not have to think twice when asked if I would support the IFSEC Global awards as the lead judge,” Andrew told IFSEC Global editor James Moore.
“Whilst there are giant shoes to follow, I am not missing the fact that we have many champions that guide, shape and truly influence others to achieve milestones they never thought of, or thought were possible. For the most part they go unrecognised outside of their county, city, or state, let alone country, and this is their time to be recognised.
“What IFSEC and the Security Partners Forum, led by Grant Lecky and Bonnie Butlin, have developed in these accolades is nothing short of incredible, and the opportunity to work more closely with both parties as the awards mature into the next phase is a privilege, and humbling.
“I have long been an advocate of recognising authentic success, no matter how little it might be. Too often we get caught in the weeds of day to day, facing the many challenges the security sector brings us, and in so much as we forget to recognise the contributions of our current and emerging leaders.”
The Influencer: Andrew Thorburn.
“From academia to thought leaders, front line management to the behind-the-scenes cyber and resilience practitioners, and educators, the IFSEC Global awards is without doubt the pre-eminent awards programme for industry by industry, without bias or borders.
“The proposed evolution is exciting, and I am thrilled to be a part of this programme where we can celebrate, promote, and influence excellence resulting in more practitioners changing the way we and future industry professionals add value.”
Grant Lecky, IFSEC Global Influencers Head Judge for the past five years, will continue to provide support to Andrew as next year’s judges are contacted and confirmed, and to ensure consistency and a level of continuity from previous years. Lecky will also remain as lead judge for the final part of the process – the IFSEC Global Influencer of the Year award.
During his time as Head Judge, Lecky significantly grew the international diversity of the IFSEC Global judging panel. The 2022 judges, for example, included security leaders from across the globe, spanning North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia.
“I can think of no one more appropriate to pass the head judge for the IFSEC Global Influencer Awards mantle on to than Andrew,” said Grant Lecky. “I am confident he will do an excellent job in continuing to elevate the awards, which are now a global recognition of achievement in the physical and cyber security industry.
“It’s been a huge privilege to lead the judging process over the past five years and work with such fantastic judges. And, there’s nothing better than being the ‘good news bear’, when contacting the winners with their accolades! I’m thrilled that I’ll be continuing my involvement in the awards as lead judge of the Influencer of the Year process – one that we believe provides an extra level of competition and recognition.”
“I am sincerely excited for what this next chapter brings to our global security and resilience communities with the expansion of the IFSEC Global Influencers categories,” said Andrew.
“We can’t do this alone, so please keep an eye on your inbox for a request to join the esteemed judging panel over the coming months.”
Andrew Thorburn: “we have many champions that guide, shape and truly influence others”.
