Meet Jessica Williams, Security Manager at OCS, who brings resilience, empathy, and leadership to her role on Exchange Quay, on the CBRE contract. With nearly two years at OCS and a career in security that began at just 17, Jess’s journey reflects the evolving face of the industry and the power of women within it.
From Stadiums to Storefronts
Jess’s story started in the stands, quite literally, working at events for Blackburn Rovers. Encouraged to pursue her SIA licence, she went on to support security operations for major events, including the London Olympics.
From there, her career expanded into retail and warehouse security with Tesco, where she began to hone her leadership skills.
“I realised I was ready for more,” she says. “Tesco gave me a foundation, but I knew I needed to step out of my comfort zone to grow.”
That mindset led her to OCS and to the career-defining opportunity she has now.
Breaking Down Barriers
Working in a traditionally male-dominated field hasn’t always been easy. Jess is candid about the pressure women often feel to prove themselves.
“There’s this unspoken idea that you need to work twice as hard just to be seen,” she explains. “Especially when you’re new to a team, you’re constantly proving that you not only belong, but that you’re capable.”
That challenge, though, has turned into one of her biggest motivations. “What I love most is when that perception shifts. When someone realises, ‘Actually, she knows exactly what she’s doing.’ That moment of recognition means something.”
