The Retail Risk Rising Star of The Year Award

Sufeyan Sawal

David Jones

To be recognized as the new Best Comer Award in the risk and loss prevention industry, I bring a unique combination of hands-on experience, collaborative success, and innovative practices. With my experience in Risk from KPMG and Macquarie Bank, Over the past two years, I have driven impactful changes and advancements that has made David Jones a stand-out contributor in this space.

1. Extensive Industry Networking and Collaboration
I have actively networked with peers across the retail risk and loss prevention industry, fostering strong relationships that allow us to tackle challenges together. This network has been crucial in building partnerships and sharing insights that strengthen the collective knowledge base and effectiveness within the industry. By working closely with other professionals, I stay informed about evolving tactics and contribute to industry-wide improvements that benefit both my business and the broader community. Some events include the Profit Protection Forum, Round table discussions held by the ARA, NRA, Adyen and Transmit Security revolving around the combat of Fraud and AI.

2. Collaborative Success on the Auror Platform
A key achievement has been my collaborative work with industry peers on the Auror platform. Working closely with neighbouring stores such as Scentre Group Security , Myers and Zara by sharing insights and working together on cases, we have successfully identified and stopped organized retail crime, preventing significant losses. This cross-business collaboration on Auror not only protects individual companies but also creates a safer retail environment by ensuring criminals are identified and held accountable.

3. Implementation of Body-Worn Cameras for Enhanced Security
To improve security and protect both staff and customers, my team and I have introduced body-worn cameras within David Jones. These cameras serve as both a deterrent and a valuable source of evidence in cases of theft, disputes, or fraud. Again, through collaboration with the team at Duress, we equip our team with this technology, to enhance situational awareness, minimized risk, and improved accountability.

4. Securing a Refurbished Store with New Security Measures
At our refurbished store, I played a central role in implementing innovative security tags, which have drastically reduced theft and loss incidents. Collaborating with the team at Sekura, these security tags represent an essential upgrade, adding another layer of protection to our products by being discreet and yet effective. This experience underscores my proactive approach in adapting and applying security measures to meet the specific needs of different retail environments, especially those susceptible to theft due to high-value merchandise.

5. Strengthening Phone Order Fraud Prevention
In response to increasing threats of phone order fraud, and after a great round table discussion with industry peers, I took the learnings of Application Orchestration, I have developed and implemented new policies and procedures specifically designed to safeguard against this risk. These measures include multi-step verification processes, improved transaction tracking, and training staff to recognize red flags in suspicious orders. By introducing these tailored protocols, we have significantly reduced instances of fraud, protecting our revenue and ensuring customer trust.

Conclusion
In a rapidly evolving risk landscape, I have implemented targeted, effective measures that make a real difference. My proactive work—ranging from body-worn cameras to enhanced fraud prevention—demonstrates both a hands-on commitment to loss prevention and a strategic approach that leverages collaboration and technology to drive positive change. Being awarded would honor these efforts and inspire continued innovation in our essential industry.

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