ICC Belfast to Host The Responsibility to Protect Conference in March 2026

12-02-2026

On Wednesday 25 March 2026, industry leaders, regulators and safety specialists will gather at ICC Belfast for The Responsibility to Protect: Life Safety, Security & Compliance in 2026.

Convened and sponsored by Diamond Systems, and delivered in partnership with ICC Belfast, the half-day conference will focus on the practical implementation of Martyn’s Law and the wider responsibilities facing organisations responsible for publicly accessible spaces.

The event is co-sponsored by Uptick and Fire Aware, reflecting a collaborative, industry-wide commitment to raising standards in life safety, security and compliance.

Turning Legislation into Practical Action

With the introduction of Martyn’s Law, organisations across the UK are facing new and heightened duties around security, preparedness and public protection.

The Responsibility to Protect is designed to cut through complexity and provide clarity:

What your responsibilities are
What the law expects
How to implement proportionate and effective measures
How competence, accreditation and technology support safer outcomes

The conference will move beyond theory and focus on practical, operational delivery.

Keynote Address from Figen Murray OBE

The keynote address will be delivered by Figen Murray OBE, whose campaign following the Manchester Arena attack led directly to the introduction of Martyn’s Law.

Her contribution will provide important context around the intent of the legislation and the responsibility carried by those managing publicly accessible environments.

Contributions from Regulators, Emergency Services and Industry Leaders

The programme brings together a powerful line-up of speakers including:

The Security Industry Authority
PSNI
Fire Industry Association
National Security Inspectorate
Axis Communications
Ambient Systems
The Emergency Group
Nimbus
Britannia Fire
Uptick
Fire Aware

Sessions will explore:

Martyn’s Law implementation
The role of regulators and enforcement
JESIP and emergency response coordination
Safe evacuation for all
Voice alarm and communication systems
Sustainable fire protection solutions
Real-time compliance visibility
CCTV and analytics
Competence, accreditation and elevating standards

The conference will conclude with a panel discussion focused on raising standards and strengthening professional accountability across the sector.

Who Should Attend?

The event is aimed at those carrying legal, moral and professional responsibility for public safety, including:

Facilities managers
Premises owners
Venue operators
Estates teams
Health & Safety professionals
Education campuses
Local authorities
Transport hubs
Healthcare providers
Hospitality and retail operators

A Shared Commitment to Safer Public Spaces

Speaking ahead of the conference, Rob McConnell, Chief Executive of ICC Belfast, said:

“Public safety is a shared responsibility, and venues like ICC Belfast have a vital role to play in leading best practice.

This conference brings together the people shaping policy, technology and standards to ensure our public spaces are safer, more inclusive and better prepared for the future.”

Angela Bennett, CEO of Diamond Systems, added:

“Martyn’s Law represents a significant step forward in how we approach safety in publicly accessible environments. This conference is about turning legislation into practical action, while also looking ahead to how innovation, competence and sustainability support better safety outcomes.

By bringing together policy leaders, safety professionals and technology experts, we aim to support those with responsibility for public spaces to understand their obligations, share best practice and implement proportionate, robust safety measures.”