I Wanted Nothing to Do With Security, ft. John Redfern

"I applied everywhere. Then I became homeless."Shahzad Ali arrived in London from Karachi in 2001. Soon after, he was broke, evicted and sleeping on a red sofa in North London. His first security shift paid £6 an hour and took three hours to get to. In 2007 he started Get Licensed with £400, a Gumtree ad and seven students.In episode six of the Frontline Security Podcast, Shahzad, founder and CEO of Get Licensed, sits down with host Anthony Milner to tell the full story: the setbacks, the debt, the boss who changed everything, and what it took to build one of the UK's largest security training providers.They also take an honest look at the security industry today: why officers get paid what they get paid, why a licence doesn't equal competence, why experience goes unrewarded, and why frontline security staff who worked through Covid never got the recognition they deserved.In this episode:- From Karachi to London, eviction and two jobs seven days a week- Getting scammed on his first business and £40,000 of debt at 30% interest- 8 August 2007: the birth of Get Licensed- Why a company's ceiling is the founder's ceiling- Why he reads every single complaint himself- The meaning gap between security and the police, military and nursing- Business licensing and what's coming for the industry- His plans for neighbourhood safety and a national alert network for security officersChapters:00:00 "I applied everywhere. Then I became homeless."01:17 Karachi to London: arriving in 200103:19 The red sofa in North London04:37 First shift: Portslade, £6 an hour, a three-hour journey09:30 Two jobs, seven days a week14:05 The boss who changed everything18:15 Scammed on his first business19:18 £40,000 of debt at 30% interest21:41 £400, a Gumtree ad and seven students22:59 8th August 2007: the birth of Get Licensed24:25 The intern who became his co-founder and wife26:17 Quitting his job at £1M turnover31:46 Why a company's ceiling is the founder's ceiling36:36 What culture actually is40:08 Why he reads every single complaint himself43:20 The state of the security industry today46:23 Why guards get paid what they get paid48:33 A licence is not competence53:53 The meaning gap: security vs police, military and nursing1:02:44 "In Covid, more of us died. No one clapped."1:06:39 Business licensing and what's coming1:12:24 "Pay your own rent first"1:20:14 Why service is a winning mindset1:28:15 Neighbourhood safety, reimagined1:31:37 A national alert network for security officers1:38:22 Final thoughtsGuest: Shahzad Ali, Founder and CEO, Get LicensedHost: Anthony MilnerExplore the full series and apply to be a guest: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/frontline-podcastWatch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K4yzRAyKkgTrain for your SIA licence with Get Licensed: https://www.get-licensed.co.ukFind security jobs with GuardPass: https://www.guardpass.comHiring security staff? https://www.guardpass.com/employersFollow Get Licensed on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook: @getlicensed

Could robots ever replace the door supervisor?In episode five of the Frontline Security Podcast Specialist Series, US Army veteran and Get Licensed trainer John Redfern joins host Anthony Milner to talk about how AI, CCTV, biometrics and drones are changing security work, and why the people using the technology matter more than ever.From the days of VHS tapes and useless footage to cameras that tag a target and follow them across a town, John and Anthony look at where the tech is now, where it's heading, and why you can no longer afford to be uncomfortable with it.In this episode:- Smart tracking, facial recognition and gait recognition- Shared scanning systems: banned in one venue, banned across town- Drones for festivals, missing persons and thermal searches at night- Body cams and "You're on camera, mate" as a way to calm things down- Why AI is racing ahead but robotics isn't there yet- Keeping a human in the loop: accountability and false flags- Anti-drone technology, airports and lessons from Ukraine- Why private security keeps growing as policing shrinksChapters:00:00 Cold open00:18 Could robots replace security?00:47 Will the door supervisor ever truly be replaced?01:09 Why you can no longer afford to be uncomfortable with tech01:50 Smart tracking software: tag a target, the cameras follow02:40 The analogue days: VHS, degaussing tapes and useless footage03:38 4K, 8K, facial recognition and gait recognition04:07 Scanning systems: banned in one venue, banned across town06:54 Drones for festivals, missing persons and replacing the police helicopter08:14 Why security keeps growing even when the economy crashes09:56 The solar event that could take us back to the 1800s11:01 Modern CCTV: touchscreens, town radio and tracking ejected people12:35 Using cameras to protect vulnerable people13:53 Body cams, Staff Safe and technology as a deterrent16:25 Don't let the tech kill your basic skill set16:55 Robots that throw people out of nightclubs?17:50 Keeping a human in the loop: accountability and false flags20:53 Anti-drone technology and why airports keep shutting down21:20 Ukraine: how a cheap drone destroys multi-million-pound aircraft23:41 Where is the security industry heading?24:34 Why private security fills the gap as policing shrinks27:04 Build security and risk management into any business28:06 Closing thoughtsGuest: John Redfern, US Army veteran and Get Licensed security trainerHost: Anthony MilnerNext episode: I Was Homeless Before I Built This Company, ft. Shahzad AliExplore the full series and apply to be a guest: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/frontline-podcastWatch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLKG2Ri-wOgTrain for your SIA licence with Get Licensed: https://www.get-licensed.co.ukFind security jobs with GuardPass: https://www.guardpass.comHiring security staff? https://www.guardpass.com/employersFollow Get Licensed on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook: @getlicensed

"He never felt the punch that blinded him."In episode four of the Frontline Security Podcast Specialist Series, host Anthony Milner and US Army veteran and Get Licensed trainer John Redfern look at what really happens inside the human body when violence kicks off, and why most of what you think you saw in a fight is wrong.John and Anthony break down the body language tells that come before a fight starts, why your brain stops processing sound when adrenaline floods your system, why you can be hit and not feel it, and why a colleague's emotions can be the most dangerous thing in the room.In this episode:- Pre-fight tells: clenched fists, weight shifting and blocking exits- Why John has only been punched six times, and never felt one- Tunnel vision, lost hearing and how your brain fills in the gaps- Spotting when a teammate is about to cross the line- The under-25 brain, and why the military recruits young men anyway- After-action reviews and how good teams debrief- What security teams can learn from pilots about staying calm- Why getting your ego out of the way is the most important skill in the jobChapters:00:00 Cold open00:41 Body language and nonverbal communication01:38 Pre-fight tells: clenched fists, weight shifting, blocking exits02:29 Why you can't hear when you fight03:15 Tunnel vision and why your memory of a fight is wrong04:04 "I've only been punched six times", and never felt one04:22 The colleague who was blinded by a punch he never felt05:07 Court or the hospital: what happens when adrenaline wins05:26 Spotting when a teammate is about to cross the line06:39 The prefrontal cortex and the under-25 brain07:20 Why the military recruits young men09:11 After-action reviews and how good teams debrief11:01 "Get your ego out of the way"13:23 The aviation parallel: why pilots stay calm14:21 Fight, flight or freeze explained15:26 The painting that fell off the wall17:28 Why your brain fills in the gaps19:17 Reading your colleagues without saying a word20:31 Why cohesive teams have fewer incidents21:32 A manager's job: putting people where they thrive23:24 Closing thoughtsGuest: John Redfern, US Army veteran and Get Licensed security trainerHost: Anthony MilnerNext episode: AI, Drones and the Future of SecurityExplore the full series and apply to be a guest: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/frontline-podcastWatch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejKXIpZgz14Train for your SIA licence with Get Licensed: https://www.get-licensed.co.ukFind security jobs with GuardPass: https://www.guardpass.comHiring security staff? https://www.guardpass.com/employersFollow Get Licensed on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook: @getlicensed

"This field is absolutely massive. It's not just standing on a door."In episode three of the Frontline Security Podcast Specialist Series, host Anthony Milner and US Army veteran and Get Licensed trainer John Redfern map out the UK security industry: what the SIA actually does, where each licence can take you, and the careers nobody tells you about when you sign up for your first badge.John and Anthony break down the four core SIA licences (Door Supervisor, Security Officer, CCTV Operator and Close Protection), where they overlap, and the paths that open up once you treat security as a career: corporate security, risk management, travel and hostile environment work, nuclear power plants, NGOs, maritime security, women's shelters and AI data centres.In this episode:- Why the Private Security Industry Act 2001 was "brought in to protect the public from us"- Why CCTV training matters in court, and how one paperwork mistake can let a guilty person walk free- Why dual licensing is one of the smartest moves you can make- "The only thing I own that can make money for me is my time"- Why your CV gets binned, and how to get past the AI filter- Festivals as the fastest way to build a security CV- What the 2027 SIA qualification update might bringChapters:00:00 Cold open: "It's not just standing on a door"00:31 Welcome back and what this episode covers01:36 Every business needs security02:49 The Private Security Industry Act 2001 explained04:23 Why the SIA is 25 years behind the threat06:16 The four core SIA licences08:23 The Manchester Arena attack and why CCTV training matters11:33 Evidence, court and how paperwork mistakes set guilty people free12:26 Security Officer licence vs Door Supervisor licence15:02 Why dual licensing is the smartest career move17:24 Why your CV gets binned and how to beat the AI filter18:46 How to present yourself in a security interview20:48 Close Protection licence and the festival circuit21:53 Beyond the door: corporate, risk, travel and hostile environment security23:30 Nuclear power plants, NGOs, maritime and women's shelters24:50 Festivals: the fastest way to build a security CV25:13 BTEC pathways from Level 2 to Level 726:08 AI data centres: the next big security employer26:48 What the 2027 SIA qualifications might changeGuest: John Redfern, US Army veteran and Get Licensed security trainerHost: Anthony MilnerNext episode: Body Language and Staying Calm Under PressureExplore the full series and apply to be a guest: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/frontline-podcastWatch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ6vQLN_PzQTrain for your SIA licence with Get Licensed: https://www.get-licensed.co.ukFind security jobs with GuardPass: https://www.guardpass.comHiring security staff? https://www.guardpass.com/employersFollow Get Licensed on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook: @getlicensed

Control yourself, and you control the situation.In episode two of the Frontline Security Podcast Specialist Series, US Army veteran and Get Licensed trainer John Redfern joins host Anthony Milner to talk about the skills that keep a door safe long before anyone has to step in physically: leadership, self-control and communication.In this episode:- Why every security role is a leadership role- Assertive vs aggressive vs passive, and where each one gets you- Dressing and thinking two levels above where you are- Culture: what you do when no one's watching- What trainers can't teach in the classroom- Hard skills vs soft skills, and why business owners should hire ex-security- Real stories from closing time and "the fog of war"- Adapting to the room: restaurants, hotels, R&B clubs and footballChapters:00:00 Cold open: Control yourself, control the situation00:43 Welcome back and what this episode covers01:48 Why every security role is a leadership role03:46 Assertive vs aggressive vs passive04:41 Dress (and think) two levels above where you're at06:03 Culture: what you do when no one's watching07:48 The limits of the classroom and what trainers can't teach08:00 Conflict management: who gets in, who doesn't09:30 The right team on the front door10:36 Hard skills vs soft skills explained12:37 Why business owners should hire ex-security13:32 Real stories from closing time and "the fog of war"18:19 Tony, the most adaptable doorman ever19:45 Managing a busy pub shift21:43 Restaurant, hotel, R&B club, football: same job, different room24:43 Closing: lead yourself firstGuest: John Redfern, US Army veteran and Get Licensed security trainerHost: Anthony MilnerMissed episode one? Go back to I Wanted Nothing to Do With Security for John's career story.Next episode: It's Not Just Standing on a DoorExplore the full series and apply to be a guest: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/frontline-podcastWatch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyhvl_C2cRYTrain for your SIA licence with Get Licensed: https://www.get-licensed.co.ukFind security jobs with GuardPass: https://www.guardpass.comHiring security staff? https://www.guardpass.com/employersFollow Get Licensed on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook: @getlicensed

John Redfern joined the US Army at 18, was tapped for security work, and wanted nothing to do with it. Then he fell in love with it.In the first episode of the Frontline Security Podcast Specialist Series, John sits down with host Anthony Milner to share the career that took him from Kansas to the US Army, through deployments in South Korea and Afghanistan, and into the UK night-time economy, where he now trains the next generation of security professionals at Get Licensed.In this episode:- His first real security role: a checkpoint in South Korea- The major incident involving six hard drives in a gas mask carrier- Why looking "out of place" is one of the first things security should notice- Deploying to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, and the night three guards were caught asleep- Leaving the Army in 2016, moving to the UK and starting over on the door- Why he became a security trainerChapters:00:00 Cold open: the night three guards were caught asleep00:36 Welcome to the Frontline Security Podcast01:52 Meet John Redfern: Kansas to the US Army02:14 Joining the Army at 18 in 199305:51 "I wanted nothing to do with it... and I fell in love with it"07:18 First real security role: a checkpoint in South Korea08:46 The major incident: six hard drives in a gas mask carrier12:14 Why looking "out of place" matters in security14:11 Deploying to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan (2009-2011)16:33 The sleeping guards story19:43 Leaving the Army in 2016 and moving to the UK21:39 Starting over in the UK night-time economy22:53 Why he became a trainer23:31 What's coming in future episodesGuest: John Redfern, US Army veteran and Get Licensed security trainerHost: Anthony MilnerNext episode: The Best Doormen Never Use Their HandsExplore the full series and apply to be a guest: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/frontline-podcastWatch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj1NAznRNOwTrain for your SIA licence with Get Licensed: https://www.get-licensed.co.ukFind security jobs with GuardPass: https://www.guardpass.comHiring security staff? https://www.guardpass.com/employersFollow Get Licensed on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook: @getlicensed

Welcome to the Frontline Security Podcast from Get Licensed.This is your first look at the new chapter of the show, now hosted by Anthony Milner. Anthony has spent around 25 years working in UK security, and he's bringing that experience to the mic.Each episode, Anthony sits down with special guests from across the industry: frontline officers, trainers, business owners and leaders. Together they talk through the topics that matter most, from licensing, training and door supervision to public safety, and the bigger national and international stories shaping security.As Anthony puts it, the podcast is about "talking to amazing guests, learning with you, and sharing with you." Follow the show so you don't miss an episode.Explore the full series and apply to be a guest: https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/frontline-podcastWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getlicensedTrain for your SIA licence with Get Licensed: https://www.get-licensed.co.ukFind security jobs with GuardPass: https://www.guardpass.comHiring security staff? https://www.guardpass.com/employersFollow Get Licensed on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook: @getlicensed

What’s it really like working inside a UK prison?In this episode of the FrontLine Security Podcast, Carl sits down with Lester Hales, a Prison Custody Officer with 15 years of experience in the security industry — and a Royal Humane Society bravery medal to prove it.We talk about:Life behind the prison wallsOfficer corruption and how it’s spottedThe mental health challenges prisoners faceHow Lester was assaulted on duty before earning national recognitionAnd the skills he brought from private security into the prison systemIt’s raw, insightful, and packed with real frontline experiences — from riots and restraint training to teamwork and second chances.

In this July 2025 edition of Frontline Round-Up, Carl dives into the latest happenings in the UK security industry. From celebrating International Security Officers Day and the heroic actions of Abdullah Tanoli, to major SIA business updates, private security initiatives, and summer festival season successes, this episode has it all.Also, Get Licensed updates on the Project Transition initiative, which has trained over 100 candidates now working in the industry, and exciting news about upcoming giveaways and opportunities in security training.Tune in for all the industry news, shoutouts, and inspiration from the world of security!Ask ChatGPT

In this episode of the Frontline Security Podcast, host Carl Randle sits down with Daniel Blackwood, the Managing Director of ResponSec, to explore the high-pressure world of event and festival security. From managing massive crowds at football stadiums and music festivals to keeping calm under pressure, Daniel shares his journey from frontline security to leading one of the UK’s most respected event security firms. We also cover crowd control techniques, essential safety tips, how Martyn’s Law will impact the industry, and the traits that make a great security professional. Whether you’re working in event security, thinking about joining the industry, or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insights. 🎯 We cover: What it's like running security at massive events How to manage huge crowds safely Why training is key for security professionals How to handle high-pressure situations on the job Safety tips for festival goers and event attendees How Martyn's Law will affect the events industry What the future holds for security professionals This is a must-watch for anyone in the private security sector, aspiring to work in event security, or interested in the behind-the-scenes of how safety is maintained at the UK’s biggest venues.