Building a Career at G4S: An Interview with Ali, GM - Justice & Enforcement Services

When did you start with G4S, and what positions have you held along the way?

I started with G4S 18 years ago, in 2007, as a Correctional Officer at Port Phillip Prison (PPP). Over the years, I've held a number of roles at Port Phillip Prison, including being part of the Tactical Operations Group (TOG), Intelligence Officer, K9 Handler, Supervisor, Operations Manager, Security & Intelligence Manager, and finally, Deputy General Manager. 

After finishing my time as Deputy General Manager at PPP, I became the General Manager of Custody & Escort Services. Now, I’m the General Manager for our Justice & Enforcement Services business stream.

What are you responsible for in your current role as General Manager of Justice & Enforcement Services? 

I oversee a portfolio of contracts in our business, which currently includes Custody & Escort Services (CESV), Justice Prisoner Transport in Victoria (JPT), South Australia Electronic Monitoring (SAEM), and the Mobile Speed Camera Program in NSW. I have a terrific team of leaders and staff within those contracts who are safety-focused and provide a great service to our customers to support community safety. My role is to guide our teams, ensure we deliver on our commitments, and grow our business.

How has G4S supported your professional development and growth over the years? 

I've been fortunate to receive excellent development opportunities at G4S over the years. I've had the opportunity to work across multiple contracts in various roles, which has helped me become a more mature, experienced, and adaptable leader. I've also worked with some wonderful leaders and mentors at G4S, as well as participated in formal leadership programs with executive coaches.

G4S has supported my development in other ways, including my participation in a professional development trip to the United States in 2016. During this trip, my colleague and I connected with K9 handlers from the California Department of Corrections and around the world to conduct training exercises, share knowledge, and participate in workshops. We also visited San Quentin State Prison, California's oldest active prison. As part of the comprehensive visit, we interacted with the Prison Gang Unit and viewed prisoner accommodation blocks and kitchen/industries areas.

What are some of the key lessons you've learned about leadership throughout your career?

You don't need a fancy title to be a leader. Leadership comes through action and behaviour, not position.

One of the key lessons is to truly understand (and embrace) the responsibility that comes with a leadership position, particularly when it comes to those you are leading. Leaders should hold themselves to a higher standard than they hold others.

It's okay not to have all the answers or to be wrong about something. When I started my leadership journey, I thought I had to be right about everything or shouldn't ask for help. This came from a lack of maturity and experience, and not utilising the resources and support I had.

Be a learner. As soon as you stop learning, you will stop progressing as a leader.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I have a wife and two young children, so my time outside of work is fairly busy with their sports and activities, which is fun (sometimes 🙂).

Other things you might catch me doing in my spare time include going to the gym regularly, eating at a nice restaurant, or playing golf (a rare occurrence these days).

I also enjoy travelling the world; I've been to over 40 countries, so hopefully, I can add a few more to that list soon!