In Focus: Leon Hendricks Championing Professional Security for the Middle East

Leon Hendricks has long been a name synonymous with professionalism within the Middle East security community. In an industry that continues to evolve at a remarkable pace, Leon stands out for his unwavering commitment to raising standards, promoting lifelong learning, and bridging global best practice with local context. His latest achievement, becoming what the industry affectionately calls an ASIS Triple Crown recipient, holding all three of the organisation’s globally recognised certifications (CPP®, PSP®, PCI®), speaks volumes about his dedication to advancing both his own expertise and the broader profession.

What sets Leon apart is not only the depth of his knowledge but the way he applies it. With more than fifteen years of progressive leadership in corporate security, compliance, and investigations, he has built a reputation as someone who combines operational experience with strategic perspective. His credentials, which include the CPP®, PSP®, PCI®, and CFE designations, represent a rare balance between management capability, physical protection expertise, and investigative proficiency. Each certification demands a different mindset, and Leon’s ability to master them all reflects a practitioner who approaches learning as a continuous discipline rather than a destination.

Leon’s long-standing involvement with ASIS International’s Dubai Chapter has made him a familiar and trusted face across the regional community. As a member of the chapter’s executive committee, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening collaboration between the private sector and law enforcement agencies. His calm leadership style, combined with his genuine interest in mentoring others, has helped nurture the next generation of security professionals and reinforced the region’s reputation for excellence.

Beyond his ASIS commitments, Leon serves as an advisory board member of the Professional Safety & Security Alliance (PSSA), a newly established body in Dubai dedicated to advancing the professional capabilities of the safety and security sector. The PSSA’s mission, to develop recognised standards, accredited training pathways, and a stronger culture of professional development, perfectly mirrors Leon’s personal philosophy. His guidance at this early stage of the organisation’s journey is helping to shape what could become one of the most important professional associations for the region’s future security landscape.

Throughout his career, Leon has consistently championed the idea that professionalism in security extends well beyond systems, procedures, or policies. For him, it is about integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. His operational background, which includes senior loss-prevention and investigations roles across complex environments such as hospitality and large-scale entertainment destinations, has given him an authentic understanding of the challenges faced by frontline professionals. That experience, coupled with his ability to connect strategic objectives with practical realities, makes his insights particularly relevant in a region defined by diversity, rapid growth, and innovation.

Leon frequently speaks about the need to bridge the gap between physical security, investigations, and compliance, ensuring that organisations adopt a holistic approach to risk and resilience. He advocates for a balance between prevention and response, emphasising that true preparedness comes not from isolated systems but from integration, collaboration, and a shared understanding of purpose. His perspectives often focus on converged risk management, the role of professional certification in improving decision-making, and the importance of aligning regional practice with global standards without losing sight of local context.

His thought leadership extends beyond the stage. Leon’s written work has been featured in International Security Journal (ISJ), including the December 2023 Influencer Edition, where his article “Tackling the Rollercoaster of Security Risks” explored how organisations can anticipate and adapt to evolving threats. More recently, in the January 2025 Edition, his feature “UAE Hospitality: Focusing on Security, Innovation and Sustainability in a Modern Landscape” examined how technology and design are transforming the security posture of the region’s world-class hospitality sector. These publications further highlight Leon’s ability to translate experience into insight, providing valuable guidance for both industry veterans and those new to the field.

Recognition for his contributions has been growing steadily. In 2024, Leon received one of the industry’s highest honours at the Security Professionalism & Excellence Awards, where he was named Top Performing Operations Manager in acknowledgment of his exceptional performance and enduring impact. This year, he has again been nominated for a leading industry accolade, a reflection of the consistency, professionalism, and influence that define his career.

Leon often reminds colleagues that security is “a profession built on trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.” It is a statement that encapsulates not only his professional outlook but also his personal ethos. Whether through mentoring, advisory roles, or the countless hours he invests in industry development, Leon has consistently demonstrated that progress in this field is a shared responsibility, one that demands curiosity, humility, and the courage to keep learning.

As the Middle East continues its journey toward becoming one of the world’s most technologically advanced and security-mature regions, professionals like Leon Hendricks will play an increasingly vital role. His achievement of the ASIS Triple Crown, his continued leadership within ASIS Dubai, his advisory contribution to the PSSA, and his growing recognition across the global community collectively reflect a professional who is helping to shape the next era of excellence. His work reminds us that while technology will continue to evolve, the foundation of effective security remains rooted in people, in their knowledge, integrity, and commitment to doing things the right way.

In a profession that demands both foresight and fortitude, Leon Hendricks stands as a model for what modern leadership looks like: measured, informed, and purpose-driven. His journey offers a reminder that true impact in this industry isn’t found in the pursuit of recognition, but in the consistent effort to raise the bar for everyone else. And in that regard, Leon’s legacy is already well underway.