The Centre was opened by the University's vice-chancellor, Dr Ruth Farwell, and Patrick Jordan, managing director of Mojo Barriers, in the company of many distinguished guests from the security, crowd management and close protection industries.
The Mojo Barriers Education & Training Centre is the world's only centre for training staff indoors on using pressure sensing equipment with the Barrier Load Measuring System (BLMS).
The launch featured a full demonstration of the BLMS, lead by Patrick Jordan and Warren Tucker, who provides technological support for the Centre, enabling guests to witness the benefits of the system at first hand. Mojo Barriers has donated the BLMS to Buckinghamshire New University for the purposes of educating others in its use.
As well as providing BLMS instruction to Buckinghamshire New University crowd management, music and events students, the Centre will also offer training to event organisers and Student Union representatives from other universities, as well as corporate training where required.
University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ruth Farwell, welcomed the opening of the Centre: "I am delighted to be here today and to officially open the Mojo Barriers Education & Training Centre. The Centre demonstrates Buckinghamshire New University's commitment to making technological advances at an international level and within the wider context of public safety at major events. It's a really exciting project and I am very interested to see it in operation."
Patrick Jordan commented: "It is a privilege to work with Professor Kemp and the team at Buckinghamshire New University. The understanding of crowd dynamics at events has developed a lot in recent years and it is exciting to be part of a team that is continually pushing that development, with a view to making concerts and events safer for audiences. The BLMS has already offered us some fascinating insights as to what audiences actually experience at a range of events and I hope that this new Centre will help in the area of audience safety."
The launch event also marked the official retirement of Mick Upton, who, as founder of the Centre for Crowd Management, was an instrumental and long-standing member of Buckinghamshire New University's Faculty of Enterprise & Innovation. Upton has now handed over the headship of the Centre to Mark Hamilton, chairman of the Rock Steady Group.
(Jim Evans)
