Staff Spotlight – Tahir Akhtar, Technical Security Operations Manager
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
With over 15 years in security and risk management, my career has taken me from safeguarding estates for major financial institutions like JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, and Bank of America, to leading operations at some of the world’s biggest events. Over the last six years, I’ve delivered security across more than 1,600 events welcoming over 4 million visitors annually.
Earlier this year, I was invited to Riyadh to head up security and crowd management for SoundStorm 24, one of the world’s largest music festivals. Across a 5km site with nine stages and 450,000 attendees in three days, I directed the deployment of 9,000 public safety staff and oversaw the rapid training of 2,000 security officers, ensuring safety through detailed planning, real-time crisis management, and close coordination with stakeholders.
Before joining Imperial, I managed security operations at ExCeL London, covering major events such as Formula E, World Travel Market, Comic Con, and DSEI, the UK’s largest defence and security expo. I also played a key role and Operational lead in the NHS Nightingale Hospital project, working alongside police and the military to secure one of the UK’s most critical health infrastructures.
Now, as Technical Security Operations Manager at Imperial College London, I oversee access control, CCTV, radio systems, and physical security across our multi-site estate. My focus is on strengthening resilience, future-proofing our systems, and ensuring a secure, accessible environment for our staff, students, and visitors.
What inspired you to join the Security and Community Safety team at Imperial?
Imperial felt like the perfect place to bring my experience from global events and high-profile venues into a community setting. What really inspired me was the chance to protect not just buildings, but world-class research, staff, and students. I was excited by the scale and complexity of the estate, and the opportunity to combine technical security with supporting and engaging people across campus.
What does your current role involve?
As Technical Security Operations Manager, I look after the systems that keep Imperial safe and running smoothly, from CCTV and access control to radios and other physical security measures across all our campuses. A big part of my role is making sure these systems are reliable, future-proof, and aligned with the needs of our community.
Day to day, that means planning and overseeing upgrades, working with contractors and colleagues across Estates and ICT, and ensuring we’re compliant with national security guidance and legislation. Just as importantly, I support and train staff so they feel confident using the systems, because good security is as much about people as it is about technology
What do you enjoy about your role?
What I enjoy most is the variety, no two days are the same. One day I might be working on future-proofing our CCTV and access control systems, the next I’m supporting colleagues on the ground or planning for major events.
For me, the most rewarding part is working with people, whether that’s training staff, engaging with the wider Imperial community, or collaborating with partners to raise standards. It’s knowing that the work we do behind the scenes directly supports the College’s teaching, research, and day-to-day life.
What are your current priorities?
Right now, my priorities are focused on strengthening Imperial’s technical security systems and making sure they’re fit for the future. That includes upgrading CCTV and access control across our campuses, improving how we manage and map critical areas, and ensuring our systems meet national security guidance and upcoming Protect Duty requirements.
I’m also focused on the people side of security, training and supporting staff so they feel confident using our systems, and building a culture where security is seen as part of everyday life at Imperial, not just something in the background.
If you could fix one thing, what would it be?
If I could fix one thing, it would be making all of our security systems fully integrated and seamless across every campus. At the moment, different systems and processes can feel fragmented, which creates extra challenges. A joined-up approach would make life easier for staff and students, while giving us stronger resilience and faster responses when it really matters.
What is one thing people may not know about you?
A few years ago, I received a Met Police Borough Commander’s Commendation after entering the River Thames on a cold winters morning to save a person from drowning. It was an intense moment, but it reminded me why I value staying calm under pressure and looking out for others, qualities that carry through into my work every day.