From working the doors to MD: Iain McCallister, MAN Commercial Protection
Former boxer Iain began his career in security working on the doors of Liberty’s, then Birmingham’s glitziest and most popular nightclub. In 1993, he joined forces with his father, a retired West Midlands police officer, to start a personal security business looking after pop stars and bands. MAN Commercial Protection was born.
Over the years the business has worked with some of the biggest names in rock and pop – from Oasis to The Rolling Stones, UB40 to U2. Iain’s love of boxing has also seen the company build a relationship with promoter Frank Warren, and MAN Commercial fast became the preferred supplier for the promoter’s events and boxing nights, including working with Mike Tyson in 2000. Most recently Iain’s team provided security for Tyson Fury’s WBC World Title bout against Dillian White in front of a sell-out 94,0000 boxing fans at Wembley.
Away from the glitz and glamour of the stage and ring, MAN Commercial Protection has grown into a business employing over 1,600 people with a turnover of £51 million. It has thrived thanks to Iain’s drive and determination, by putting people at the heart of its operations, striving for complete client satisfaction, and by focusing on staff retention and employee engagement.
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Iain is convinced that the security industry has something to offer everyone. “I truly believe that security is an excellent career path”, he says. “It’s great to see so many more females now than 30 years ago, and there are ample opportunities for career progression. MAN Commercial has numerous colleagues who started at the foot of the ladder with no experience who are now managers and directors.
“My best advice would be to do the hours required – security industry hours can be long – but give the job a chance, the opportunities are there. Many of our officers have gone on to work directly with our clients in loss-prevention or building-management roles after impressing so much on site. There is a huge opportunity for our sector right now as we have seen such growth in the past few years, during and since the pandemic.”
Iain was the winner of this year’s BSIA's British Security Awards Contribution to the Industry, recognising his dedication to a career in security, his outstanding leadership and flair, and his development into a leading industry ambassador.