The Formation of the ICSS
As global headlines hit regarding security issues across the world, ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2012 London Olympics, the idea for an independent global hub of experts in the field of sport safety and security was formed.
Ardent sports fan, retired Qatari Air Force Officer and CEO of a security training organisation, Mohammed Hanzab identified a gap in the way knowledge is shared among different organisations regarding the safety and security of major sporting events. In May 2010 and with the advice of Lord John Stevens, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, the concept for the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) was formed.
Having initiated the process of registering and announcing the organisation in October 2010, Mohammed Hanzab submitted his proposal at this time to the State of Qatar for support funding for his concept in order to properly set up the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS).
In Qatar, under Law Number 21 of 2006, citizens can submit a request for funding to the government to establish initiatives that are considered to be in the public interest.
With the aim of inspiring positive change for the benefit of the sport industry, the goal of the ICSS was first to bring together international experts in sport security to create a centre that contributes to policy development and shares best-practice to better serve and safeguard sport.
In early 2012, and prior to major issues of sport corruption making headlines, the ICSS made a significant move to extend its safety and security focus and expand its portfolio to include sport integrity, good governance and anti-corruption issues.
In September 2012, with the aim of engaging in its mission both youth and civil society, the ICSS launched its Save the Dream initiative. Save the Dream implements and promotes activities to empower youth through safe access to sport and to its educational and social values. Since its inception, the initiative has gathered support from around the world for its cause, building a movement of athletes and sportspeople along with international sporting and civil society organisations to achieve its aim.
Funding
The ICSS and its programs are funded by a mixture of grants and in-kind contributions from Governments, International and Regional Organisations, civil society and the business sector.
ICSS is particularly grateful to the State of Qatar, where ICSS headquarters is based, for its generous support since the establishment of the Centre.
ICSS also benefits from revenues generated from services that it delivers to its broad, international client base, revenues which are fully utilised in support of its not-for-profit mission, and its efforts to strengthen capacities across sectors to safeguard sport.
ICSS Governance and Management Structure
Overview
The ICSS management structure comprises a Board of Directors and a Management Board. The ICSS leadership team manages and oversees day-to-day operations.
Ethics and Accountability
Corporate Diversity
The ICSS recognises the value of employee diversity and strives to create a culture of commitment to our mission, one which fosters a positive and empowering workplace for all our employees. Our truly international and diverse team comes from 18 nations and speaks over 20 languages. ICSS is an equal opportunity employer.
Financial Auditing and Quality Management System
The ICSS prepares financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. The ICSS is audited on an annual basis as per our founding documents articles 20 and 21. ICSS headquarters financial records are currently audited by KPMG.
Our fiscal year is the calendar year, in line with standard practice in the State of Qatar.
The organisation has a yearly standalone audit for the organisation’s headquarters based in Doha and a consolidated report including accounts for all other entities owned by the ICSS Group.
ICSS INSIGHT LTD, the ICSS standalone UK entity, a community interest company limited by guarantee, publishes its financial accounts through the UK Government’s Companies House and has EU Transparency Register ID number: 228745717780-44.
The ICSS has implemented and maintains a Quality Management System which fulfills the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standards.