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Philip Stuart Clay Recognised as Influential Man in Business for Security & Training 2026

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Philip Stuart Clay, founder of MGPC Security & Training Limited, has been recognised with the Influential Man in Business – Security & Training 2026, UK award.

Philip entered the security industry focused simply on working hard, learning his trade and creating a future for himself. His career subsequently developed across security guarding, door supervision, CCTV, loss prevention, canine handling, close protection and investigations, with experience gained both in the UK and overseas. This broad operational background provided the knowledge and perspective that would eventually lead him to establish MGPC.

The company’s name carries particular personal significance. MGPC was created in tribute to Philip’s two working dogs, Max and Gibbs, who accompanied him during an important stage of his security career.

Gibbs worked beside him in challenging and potentially dangerous environments, where the relationship between handler and dog depended on complete trust. When Philip founded the company, incorporating their names allowed that part of his journey to continue into its future, while reflecting values of loyalty, vigilance and service.

Years spent within different areas of security also gave Philip a clear view of the company he wanted to build. Having witnessed both excellent leadership and environments where personnel could feel like little more than numbers on a staffing sheet, he wanted MGPC to place equal importance on its clients and the professionals representing the business.

This people-focused approach is closely connected to training.

Drawing on his experience as an instructor, Philip has sought to create genuine opportunities for individuals to enter the industry, strengthen their skills and develop sustainable careers. Becoming an approved training centre marked an important milestone, placing education and professional development firmly within MGPC’s identity.

“My philosophy is quite simple: do what you say you are going to do, treat people properly, maintain your standards when nobody is watching and never stop learning.”

Those principles have guided Philip through the realities of building a company from the ground up. Setbacks, self-doubt and difficult decisions have tested his resilience, but his operational background taught him to remain calm under pressure, assess what can be controlled and focus on the next course of action. He has also learned that resilience includes recognising when something has gone wrong, asking for help and using difficult experiences as opportunities to improve.

Leading from the front remains central to his management style. Having personally experienced overnight shifts, demanding public-facing situations and the responsibility carried by frontline security personnel, Philip understands the realities behind the role. That experience influences how he supports the team and the standards expected throughout MGPC.

For those hoping to establish themselves in security, his advice is to concentrate on reputation rather than title. Reliability, presentation, respect and willingness to learn can have as much influence on a career as qualifications. He also encourages people to continue investing in their development and to recognise that asking for guidance is a strength.

“Your reputation takes years to build and minutes to damage. Protect it.”

One of Philip’s greatest sources of fulfilment is seeing people progress. Watching learners gain confidence, qualifications and employment gives purpose to his work as a trainer, while seeing MGPC officers handle difficult situations professionally or receive positive feedback demonstrates what those standards look like in practice.

That progress has also made the growth of MGPC particularly meaningful. What began as an idea has developed into a recognised local business with its own team, learners and identity. Philip is especially proud of maintaining its roots in Lowestoft, with a commitment to supporting the surrounding community through employment, training, partnerships and opportunities.

Looking ahead, the ambition is to strengthen MGPC’s presence across Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and East Anglia, before gradually developing its capabilities more widely across the UK and, where appropriate, internationally. For Philip, however, expansion must be sustainable rather than growth for its own sake, ensuring the company’s standards develop alongside its reach.

A particularly meaningful long-term goal would be to see future senior members of MGPC who originally joined as learners or new security officers. Creating that pathway from training to employment and eventually leadership would, for Philip, represent a lasting legacy.

Receiving the Influential Man in Business – Security & Training 2026, UK award has given him an opportunity to reflect on a career that is usually focused on the next client, learner, member of staff or operational responsibility.

“I see an award not as confirmation that we have finished the journey, but as encouragement that we are travelling in the right direction.”

The recognition has also reinforced Philip’s view that influence does not depend on the size of a company or how loudly somebody promotes their achievements. It can be demonstrated through the opportunities created for others, the professional standards encouraged across an industry and the ability to show someone that their current circumstances do not have to determine their future.

Throughout his career, Philip has learned from both strong and challenging leadership experiences, shaping his own approach around integrity, professionalism and supporting others. His family and those closest to him have also played an important role throughout MGPC’s development.

His guiding principle remains simple: remember where you started, keep listening and, when you can open a door for someone else, hold it open.

It is a philosophy that continues to shape the future of MGPC Security & Training Limited.

Contact

Phone: 01502 441 622

Email: enquiries@mgpc.co.uk

Website: www.mgpc.co.uk