Silvana shared insights from her 30-year career in thenighttime economy, including her experience as a licensed door supervisor, her progression into operational leadership, and her current role as ChiefOperating Officer of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA). Thediscussion explored the challenges women face in the security industry,opportunities to increase female representation, the evolution of nightlifesafety practices, and the importance of building a safe, inclusive, andsustainable 24-hour economy.
Key Interview Findings
1. Career Development and Leadership in Nightlife
Silvana described a three-decade career in nightlife,security, operations, and workforce development. While working in daytimeadministrative and operational positions, she also served as a licensed doorsupervisor at clubs and events. Her frontline experience shaped her leadership approach,emphasizing interpersonal relationships, effective communication, conflictresolution, and staff development. As COO of NTIA, Silvana oversees membership support andorganizational operations while providing practical assistance to nightlifevenues, operators, and industry professionals. Her experience connectsfrontline security challenges with broader industry policies and organizationalleadership.
2. Increasing Women's Representation in Security
Silvana discussed the persistent underrepresentation ofwomen in frontline security and leadership positions.
Silvana emphasized the value women bring to security teams,particularly in communication, engagement, de-escalation, and supporting vulnerable patrons. Silvana also noted her recent appointment as a board memberof the International Professional Security Association (IPSA) senior leadershipteam, creating additional opportunities to influence industry standards andworkforce development.
3. Evolving Security Practices and Safeguarding
Drawing on her experience in the United Kingdom's regulated security environment, Silvana explained how licensing, training, and compliance standards have professionalized the security industry. She stressed that effective security goes beyond enforcement and physical intervention. Positive engagement, relationship-building, and early conflict resolution can improve safety outcomes for patrons, employees, and venues. Women's safety and safeguarding remain central priorities. Silvana advocated stronger venue policies, improved staff training, and coordinated responses to harassment, violence, and hate crimes.
Central Insight: Nightlife security should shift froma primarily enforcement-driven function to a people-centered model thatemphasizes prevention, safeguarding, inclusion, and professionalaccountability.
4. Changing Nightlife Business Models and ConsumerExpectations
Silvana reflected on the transformation of the nighttimeeconomy and the lasting consequences of COVID-19.
Key Takeaways
Silvana's interview highlighted five important themes:
Representation Matters: Increasing women's participation in frontline security and leadership can strengthen the industry's skills, culture, and effectiveness.
Security Is About People: Communication, relationship-building, and safeguarding are essential elements of professional nightlife security.
Nightlife Is Evolving: Venues must adapt to changing demographics, consumer preferences, and expectations for safer, more inclusive social experiences.
A 24-Hour Economy Requires Infrastructure: Transportation, public safety, and coordinated city services must support the hours when people socialize and work.
Partnerships Drive Progress: Effective nightlife management requires ongoing collaboration among government, regulators, security professionals, hospitality operators, and community organizations.
Silvana Kill is Chief Operating Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, Chair of Ask For Clive, Director of Operations at the UK Door Security Association and a Board Member of Equal Measures CIC. She also plays a leading role within the Night Time Industries Alliance CIC and has helped forge the VOICES of Women in the Night Time Economy Coalition and the Ask For Clive Coalition.
With almost 30 years’ experience across the night-time economy, Silvana has worked from the frontline through to national industry leadership, spanning venue operations, licensed security, HR, safeguarding, licensing, workforce development and equality, diversity and inclusion.
A CIPD-qualified HR and EDI specialist, Certified Licensing Practitioner and former SIA-licensed door supervisor, Silvana brings a practical understanding of what happens when policy meets real people, real venues and real pressure.
She has played a leading role in developing Night Safe Champion and Welfare Engagement Officer programmes and works across safeguarding, Martyn’s Law, vulnerability, LGBTQ+ inclusion, VAWG, workforce development and safer nightlife.
At the heart of Silvana’s work is a simple belief: meaningful change happens when the right people come together, communicate well and turn good intentions into action.
As a speaker and trainer, she is warm, straight-talking and grounded in experience, with a focus on people, leadership, safety, inclusion and the future of the night-time economy.
