It was an immense privilege to present the Odette Hallowes Award to the Director General of The Security Service – MI5, on behalf of the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA). This award holds deep meaning across the national security and intelligence community, recognising those who carry out extraordinary yet often unseen work to keep the United Kingdom safe.
This prestigious award, given by The Security Institute, is reserved for individuals whose contribution to national security is both exceptional and unrecognised, the quiet professionals who operate without spotlight or praise, but whose impact is profound. In a world of increasingly complex threats, acknowledging this kind of dedication is more important than ever.
The award is named in honour of Odette Hallowes GC, MBE, one of the most inspirational figures in our nation’s security history. Her courage during WWII, her resilience under extreme adversity, and her unwavering determination to serve the country set a standard that continues to guide the values of our profession today. Odette’s legacy reminds us that bravery does not always take place on a battlefield, sometimes it is found in silence, in sacrifice, and in the steadfast protection of others.
To present an award carrying her name, to someone leading MI5 through one of the most dynamic threat landscapes we have faced in decades, was a moment of real significance. It reinforces the vital work happening every day to safeguard the UK, work largely unseen, but absolutely essential.
My sincere congratulations to this year’s recipients, and heartfelt thanks to all those across the national security community who continue to uphold the values Odette embodied. Your work may often go unrecognised publicly, but it never goes unnoticed by those who understand its importance.
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