Una Riley: The Visionary Security Pioneer Who Broke Barriers and Built a Lasting Legacy

Una Riley is a British entrepreneur, security-industry pioneer, communications specialist and disability advocate. Born in July 1950, she became one of the most influential women in the United Kingdom’s private security sector, building a career across business ownership, professional standards, public relations, frontline advocacy and leadership development.

She is best known for founding Euro Security Systems, creating the Women in Security Awards, helping to establish major industry organisations and serving as Chief Executive of the International Professional Security Association from 2020 to 2022. She later became an International Ambassador for the organisation and continued supporting women, frontline workers and professionals with disabilities.

Her story is especially remarkable because she left school at 15 without formal qualifications, entered industries dominated by men and helped reshape standards, opportunities and recognition across British security. After becoming registered blind, she returned to leadership and transformed that experience into a platform for inclusion.

Una Riley Age and Early Life

Una Riley was born in July 1950 and is 75 years old as of June 2026. She will turn 76 in July 2026. She is British and has spent much of her personal and professional life in England, particularly Hertfordshire and London. She attended St Catherine’s Convent but left school at 15 without qualifications. Rather than allowing this to restrict her ambitions, she built practical experience through advertising, marketing and media work.

Early Work in Advertising and Marketing

Her early career included work with the Hampstead & Highgate Express, where she developed advertising concepts and managed a feature focused on women. She later worked in advertising and marketing for Time Out and became a Group Marketing Executive within Associated Newspapers.

How Una Riley Entered the Security Industry

Her move into security began after she became the victim of a burglary. When she tried to purchase a domestic alarm, she was disappointed by the quality of service. Instead of accepting the experience, she recognised a commercial opportunity.

In 1985, while pregnant with her daughter, she founded Euro Alarms, later known as Euro Security Systems. The company was established in an industry where senior female leaders were rare and technical workers often received less recognition than sales teams.

Building Euro Security Systems

Una led Euro Security Systems for more than two decades. Her goal was not to create the largest installation company, but to develop one known for quality, reliability, professional conduct and strong service. The company provided CCTV, intruder alarms, access control and consultancy. It also gained respected quality and safety accreditations.

Putting Engineers at the Centre

One of her most progressive decisions was to place installation engineers at the centre of the business. At a time when many engineers worked as contractors and were kept at a distance from management, she employed them on permanent contracts and called them Executive Engineers.

This reflected her belief that frontline technical staff deserved dignity, career development and professional recognition. It also supported her wider ambition to make security a respected career rather than a temporary occupation.

Una Riley and Women in Security

The British security sector was heavily male dominated when she entered it. She became one of the earliest female owners and managing directors of an installation company and used her position to create opportunities for other women.

She wanted women to see security as a serious and rewarding profession. During the 1990s, she began developing the idea of formal recognition for female achievement, although the number of women in the sector was still too limited to sustain a major annual programme.

Women in Security Awards

Her vision became the Women in Security Awards, founded in 2011. The initiative celebrates women working in technical roles, management, frontline services, consultancy and leadership. The awards helped challenge outdated assumptions about who could succeed in security. They also created a visible platform for talent, achievement and professional advancement.

Women in Security Academy

In 2023, she became founder and board member of the Women in Security Academy. The Academy was developed to provide mentoring, career development, professional support and leadership opportunities.

Leadership Across the Security Profession

Una Riley has held influential positions across major organisations. Her work has involved technical standards, professional representation, communications, equality and international collaboration. She was a principal founder of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals and later became the first woman elected as its Master.

She co-founded the Fire & Security Association, represented the British Security Industry Association and became its first female chairman of the CCTV section. Her European work included service with Euralarm, where she contributed to industry communication and standards.

SectorGuard, Sodexo and Consultancy

As Group Head of Communication at SectorGuard, she worked on projects designed to improve the standing of security personnel and attract younger people to the profession. She helped establish an Anglo-American private security exchange programme. She later worked as a security adviser to Sodexo on global special projects. Through UNACOM, she provided strategic consulting, marketing, crisis management, communications, business development and policy support.

Una Riley as Chief Executive of IPSA

On 21 October 2020, Una Riley became Chief Executive of the International Professional Security Association, one of the United Kingdom’s longest-established security trade bodies. She took the role during a period of major change. The COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the importance of frontline security officers, many of whom were treated as key workers but lacked access to support, training and professional benefits.

Free Membership and Frontline Support

During her leadership, IPSA introduced free membership for frontline security professionals and developed initiatives focused on welfare, health and safety, mental health, training and recognition. A Front-line Forum was also developed to give security officers, fire specialists and installation technicians a direct voice within the organisation. Her term as Chief Executive ended in October 2022. She then continued her connection with IPSA as an International Ambassador.

Blindness and Disability Advocacy

Una Riley became registered blind during the mid-2010s. The sudden loss of her sight had a profound effect on her life, and she initially reduced her professional obligations while adapting to the change. She stepped away from several business interests, declined invitations and withdrew from many activities. The shift to remote working during the pandemic later changed her circumstances. Online meetings reduced the physical barriers involved in travelling, entering unfamiliar buildings and attending events. This helped her return to professional life with renewed purpose.

Challenging Attitudes Towards Disability

She began speaking openly about disability, leadership and workplace inclusion. Her message has been that employers should not treat disability policies as documents created merely for compliance. They should become active commitments that shape recruitment, development and everyday working culture. She has encouraged organisations to judge people by their ability, merit and potential. Her appointment as a blind Chief Executive became a powerful example of inclusive leadership.

Her daughter, Talulah Riley, praised her resilience, describing how she remained a pioneer while blind and in her seventies.

Una Riley’s Companies and Business Interests

Over the years, she held directorships in companies including Euro Alarms Limited, Security Clinic Limited, UNACOM Limited, Quantum Management Services Limited, Script Elf Limited and Arts Cafe Limited. She also served as a director of iAudit Consultants Limited and held appointments connected with CDBAFI and CDBAFI Holdings. Most of these companies have since been dissolved.

Una Riley Husband and Family

Doug Milburn is identified as the father of Una Riley’s daughter, Talulah Riley. He previously worked in senior law enforcement, including leadership within the National Crime Squad, and later became a television screenwriter.

His writing career has been associated with programmes including Silent Witness and The Bill. Strong sources do not clearly document whether Una and Doug remain legally married, so it is more accurate to describe them as Talulah Riley’s parents rather than make a firm statement about their present marital status.

Talulah Riley

Talulah Jane Riley-Milburn was born on 26 September 1985 and is Una’s only publicly known child. She became an actress, novelist, screenwriter and director. Her acting credits include Pride & Prejudice, St Trinian’s, Inception, Westworld and Pistol. Talulah married actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster in June 2024, making him Una’s son-in-law. She was previously married twice to entrepreneur Elon Musk.

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Professional Credentials and Recognition

Una Riley uses the professional letters MCIPR, FInstSMM and FSyI. These reflect recognition across public relations, sales and marketing management, and the security profession. She has also worked as a columnist and editorial-board member for Professional Security Magazine.

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Is Una Riley Still Active?

As of 2026, she remains associated with the Women in Security Academy as its founder and board member. She also continues to be recognised as the creator of the Women in Security Awards, a Past Master Emeritus of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals and an advocate for disability inclusion.

Although she no longer serves as Chief Executive of IPSA, her influence remains visible in initiatives supporting frontline workers, women and professional standards.

Una Riley Wikipedia

Una Riley does not have a standalone English Wikipedia page. She is mentioned in biographical material about her daughter, Talulah Riley, where her work in security systems and public relations is acknowledged.

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Final Thoughts

Una Riley’s career is a story of ambition, resilience and lasting influence. She entered security after identifying a failure in customer service, built a respected company while pregnant and challenged the treatment of engineers and frontline workers. She went on to create opportunities for women, support professional standards and lead major organisations. After becoming blind, she returned to leadership and used her experience to advocate for meaningful inclusion.

Her legacy can be seen in the stronger position of women in security, greater recognition for frontline professionals and a continuing commitment to judging people by their talent rather than their circumstances.

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FAQs

1. Who is Una Riley?

Una Riley is a British entrepreneur, security-industry pioneer and disability advocate. She founded Euro Security Systems, created the Women in Security Awards and served as Chief Executive of IPSA from 2020 to 2022.

2. How old is Una Riley?

Una Riley was born in July 1950. She is 75 years old as of June 2026 and will turn 76 in July 2026.

3. Is Una Riley married?

Una Riley is associated with Douglas Milburn, the father of her daughter, Talulah Riley. Although some biographical sources describe them as spouses, their current marital status has not been publicly confirmed.

4. Does Una Riley have children?

Yes, Una Riley has one publicly known child, actress and writer Talulah Riley, who is married to British actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster.