Professional Progression… Meet Tom Colman
Professional Security Career Progression: An Interview with Tom Colman
In this edition of our Professional Security career progression series, we speak with Tom Colman, Group Senior Head of Business Support, about his journey at Professional Security. In just five months, Tom has made a significant impact, bringing energy, insight, and leadership to his role.
What is your role and what do you do day-to-day?
Tom Colman: I’m the Group Senior Head of Business Support. Day-to-day, I focus on delivering support to our internal clients, operations teams and departments across the business. I lead multiple teams, including HR, Technology, Risk, Compliance, Vetting, Resourcing, and Group Transformation. My goal is to ensure that everything we do aligns with our overall strategy and that people have the right support to succeed.
What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Tom Colman: Our Business Support division needed development to support company growth. My first step was aligning with the wider group strategy and building credibility with the team and stakeholders.
A key part of overcoming these challenges is taking people on the journey with me. We focus on developing internal talent while being selective with external hires. Creating the right culture and having the right people in place is essential, even though the challenges evolve daily.
What new skills have you developed?
Tom Colman: This is a portfolio role, so I’ve had to pick up knowledge across multiple areas. For example, I now understand insurance – policies, aggregates, excesses, reserves, litigation and working with more litigious stakeholders.
Being involved across functions like HR, Risk, and Compliance has expanded my expertise. Each area has its nuances, so staying up-to-date is critical.
What are you still hoping to achieve or learn?
Tom Colman: Continuous learning is key, no matter your job title. I aim to refine my approach, embrace new opportunities, and adapt to constant change. Professional Security’s fast growth provides a chance to work with new people and solve new problems every day.
Do you see yourself progressing within Professional Security?
Tom Colman: Absolutely. My role is evolving and expanding. I’m involved in board-level projects, such as transformation and technology, and I’m considering how my role fits within the Senior Leadership Team as the group grows. It’s exciting to imagine what this role could look like in a year or two.