Plenary 1 – Martyn’s Law

Welcome from Conference Chair – Hugh Woozencroft

SGSA Snapshot: Progress, priorities and the path ahead – Giles Smith, Chief Executive, SGSA

Keynote speech – Michelle Russell, Chief Executive, Security Industry Authority

Implementation of Martyn’s Law – Laura Gibb, Executive Director, Security Industry Authority

Questions from the audience

Breakout sessions – round 1

Shaping the new Green Guide – Hear the latest progress on the development of the next edition of the Green Guide and give your views in this interactive session.(Repeated in round 2)

Safety Advisory Groups: From guidance to action – Hear the latest on the forthcoming SAG guidance from the UK Resilience Academy, and be part of the discussion on the challenges and opportunities going forward.(Repeated in round 3)

Medical planning and provision – The latest updates on medical requirements, and hear how Medical Plans are being developed by the RFU.

Security Considerations – This session will hear from leading security experts, focusing on two areas: recent developments in bag screening in the context of high footfall screening, and effective management of a Security Control Room, particularly during a marauding terrorist attack.

Breakout sessions – round 2

Shaping the new Green Guide – Hear the latest progress on the development of the next edition of the Green Guide and give your views in this interactive session.(Repeat from round 1)

Extreme weather and safety – Extreme weather events are becoming a norm, not an anomaly, creating new safety and operational challenges for sports grounds. Hear from the Met Office about extreme weather and climate change and the considerations needed for sports grounds.  

Using data to effectively plan: A case study in toilets – Using data effectively can help safety teams plan and mitigate risks.  In this session, hear from Professor Aoife Hunt on latest research on toilets and how using available data effectively can help to plan, particularly in multi-use venues.

Technology and safety – What impact is technology having on safety management at sports grounds?  What could the future look like?  This session explores some of these themes.

Breakout sessions – round 3

Safety Advisory Groups: From guidance to action – Hear the latest on the forthcoming SAG guidance from the UK Resilience Academy, and be part of the discussion on the challenges and opportunities going forward.(Repeat from round 1)

Licensed standing: latest learnings – Since 2022 over 200,000 safe standing seats have been installed at grounds across England and Wales. This session will discuss the impact and what more is needed to address persistent standing in seated areas.

Tackling drones: Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems – Hear from leading security experts on the latest procedures for detecting, identifying and mitigating drones.

Rebuilding and renovating: Challenges and considerations – With many grounds considering new or renovated stands or stadiums, this breakout session will go over what grounds and SAGs need to consider when a ground is undertaking rebuilding / renovations while keeping parts of the ground open.  

Plenary 2 – Looking ahead

Welcome back – Hugh Woozencroft, Conference Chair

Green Guide 7: progress and development – Ken Scott MBE, Deputy Chief Executive, SGSA

Planning towards Euros 2028 – Tim Jones, Head of Stadium Safety and Security, UK & Ireland Euros 2028.

Panel discussion and questions from the audience.

Close of conference – Derek Wilson, Chair, SGSA