Position: Assistant Contract Manager
Area: North England
Years spent in security: 7
We’re meeting some of our colleagues at Amulet to highlight the important work security officers do at the heart of the industry. Today, we are meeting with Ellis Wood.
Journey into security
Ellis’ career in security began in 2017, where he was a steward providing crowd management at high-profile venues in Leeds. His decision to study music business led him to Manchester, where he was moved by the resilience of his coworkers who had been affected by the Manchester Bombings. He dedicated more time to the security industry, which led him to gain an SIA Door Supervisor licence.
Because of his tireless work, he naturally progressed to the role of a supervisor. He felt drawn to management and aimed to continue his trajectory. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic scuppered this. Not deterred, he re-assessed his goals and looked at other areas of the security industry.
Fortunately, an offer came in May 2021 to join the Northern Trains Network as a travel safe officer (TSO). For someone who is professional, knowledgeable, and focused on delivering excellent customer service, it seemed like a perfect fit for him. Settling into the role, he became an accredited officer only a few months later, passing his British Transport Police Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 2 under the Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme.
In early 2022, he was able to re-imagine his dreams of management by becoming a supervisor for the Manchester-based team. His largest team had 26 accredited officers! But even with a reputable industry contract under his belt, Ellis wouldn’t let that be his peak. He continued to develop his skills, learning from his managers about the intricacies that made the contract successful, while also supporting the development of others. He then later transferred to Amulet in April 2022 when Amulet secured the TSO tender for the Northern Trains Network.
Because of his continuing career in management, Ellis won the Churchill Ultimate Star Award in 2023 at the annual Shining Stars ceremony.
A typical day
As the assistant contracts manager, Ellis is currently working on two contracts for Amulet Security: the Northern Trains TSO contract and the Counter Terrorism (CT) Security contract.
The Northern Trains network stretches out over 500 stations, which require carefully thought-out operational deployment. Ellis is responsible for planning these deployments, as well as providing development opportunities for officers and supervisors and day-to-day contract management.
Ellis enjoys meeting with clients and stakeholders, including British Transport Police and other local authorities. He also liaises with safeguarding agencies like Railway Children and Samaritans. Meeting with officers allows Ellis to improve the quality of work even further.
What Ellis enjoys most
Ellis enjoys the development opportunities available to him at Amulet. Thanks to the support from his regional director, he’ll soon be starting an IOSH qualification as well as a management apprenticeship. These qualifications allow him to conduct risk assessments and write specific assignment for all the sites he works on.
The personable people surrounding Ellis make Amulet a special place to work. There is always a support system in place, whether that’s through formal employment services or from helpful colleagues. Ongoing advice and assistance have been vital to the ongoing work within security. Looking to the future, Ellis hopes to develop further while doubling down on the commitment to those around him.
Are you interested in becoming an officer with Amulet? Explore our careers options: https://www.amulet.co.uk/company/careers/
