“Success in leadership roles within the security sector depends on a mix of key qualities that help with decision-making and team unity,” says Jacqui Didieu, the Founder of Business Efficiency Services and COO at City Security Services. She believes clear communication is crucial for making sure everyone understands the goals and expectations. Leaders also need to be resilient, able to face challenges, and adjust to the constant changes in the security landscape. Integrity, according to Jacqui, is essential for building trust, both with teams and clients. Lastly, strong strategic thinking is key for leading the way and anticipating future trends. Together, these qualities help leaders inspire their teams and create a culture of excellence in the security field.
These leadership principles are at the heart of Jacqui’s impressive rise from law enforcement to her current role as a business leader. Raised by a single mother and facing the challenges of an abusive stepfather, she learned early on that circumstances don’t define your future. After nearly 20 years of service in the South African Police Reserve Force, Jacqui transitioned to leadership roles in private security, eventually becoming President of both G4S and Ultimate Security in Tanzania.
This broad experience led her to start her own consulting firm, where she shares her knowledge with others in the industry. Moving to the United States gave her a broader perspective and helped her focus even more on empowerment and collaborative leadership. Now, as the Founder of Business Efficiency Services, Jacqui uses her insights to drive excellence and create innovative security solutions that truly make a difference. She believes her journey proves that, “With determination and a commitment to continuous growth, we can emerge stronger and drive meaningful change in our communities.”
The Unexpected Path: A Woman’s Rise in Security
Jacqui’s career took an unexpected turn when she moved from law enforcement to the business world, motivated by the chance to make a lasting impact. Although the security industry wasn’t her first choice, it quickly sparked a deep passion in her, especially as she saw the opportunity to drive change. A key moment in her career came when a mentor helped her combine her law enforcement background with new business skills. This mentorship boosted Jacqui’s confidence, enabling her to carve out a unique and impactful presence in a male-dominated field.
Facing many challenges along the way, Jacqui learned to use her voice—not just for herself but to inspire other women in the security sector. “Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice; it’s about being a steady presence that helps others find their voice,” she says. This belief guides her actions as she works to empower women to pursue their goals fearlessly. She upholds her lifelong commitment to fostering safety and security for all.
Redefining Balance: Take on Thriving at Work and Beyond
For Jacqui, balancing career demands with personal well-being is an ongoing effort that requires focus and discipline. She explains that in the high-pressure world of security, the lines between work and personal life often blur, so she makes sure to protect her time for self-care. Jacqui treats personal time as sacred and encourages her team to do the same. Whether it’s taking breaks, going on vacation, or just having quiet moments, she believes it’s important to recharge.
Travel is Jacqui’s favorite way to reset—giving her new perspectives while stepping away from the daily grind. She emphasizes that real success comes from building meaningful relationships, sharing experiences, and taking care of oneself. By leading with this mindset, Jacqui hopes to inspire her team to thrive both professionally and personally.
The Jacqui Formula to a Niched & Networked Security Business
How does Jacqui help security companies stand out? She helps them discover their unique strengths and use them to grow. She starts by helping them define clear, impactful goals, understanding that a company aiming for long-term success needs a different strategy than one focused on short-term gains. Once they have a clear direction, Jacqui helps companies use their strengths to break into new markets.
She stresses the importance of a solid plan and executing it consistently. With so many distractions in the industry, Jacqui keeps leaders focused on their goals. She also believes in the power of content marketing, advising companies to create valuable content that speaks directly to their target audience. “Once a niche is defined, I encourage them to create and share a wealth of relevant and valuable content that speaks directly to their target audience.” This approach helps companies become thought leaders in their field, building strong relationships with potential clients and strengthening their brand.
Turning the Tide: Blueprint for Business Revival and Success
Five years of losses and a lawsuit from a disgruntled client—this was the tough situation Jacqui faced when she took over a struggling company in Tanzania. Instead of panicking, Jacqui took the time to listen to every employee, uncovering their concerns and ideas. This open communication led to the discovery of the real problem: a breakdown in operational processes that was causing security breaches.
Instead of hiring expensive outside help, Jacqui focused on her existing team. By promoting from within, she boosted morale, valued their experience, and encouraged a sense of ownership. This turned out to be the key to success.
The result? Not only did Jacqui successfully settle the lawsuit and secure a 46% price increase, but she also restored the client’s trust and guided the company back to profitability within a year. This wasn’t just a business turnaround; it was a testament to the transformative power of human connection. By leading with purpose and conviction, Jacqui demonstrated that we can inspire profound change, nurturing a culture of excellence that resonates far beyond financial metrics.
Defying the Odds: Rising in a Male-Dominated World
Early in her career, Jacqui faced a formidable opponent: gender bias. In a male-dominated industry like security, dismissive remarks and condescending attitudes were par for the course. She was often met with skepticism, her qualifications questioned, her ideas disregarded with a dismissive wave with people labeling her as “just a little girl.”
But instead of crumbling under the pressure, she rose to the challenge, channeling the negative feedback and the condescending whispers into a powerful fuel for her ambition. “Use the ‘no’ and bias of others not as a barrier, but as a compass; let their skepticism navigate you toward uncharted paths where your potential can truly shine,” she recollects.
This became her mantra. Determined to demonstrate that leadership and expertise aren’t defined by gender, Jacqui honed her skills, nurtured strong relationships with colleagues and mentors, built a foundation of respect and mutual understanding, showcased the value of her unique perspective, and consistently delivered exceptional results.
These experiences taught Jacqui that challenges are powerful drivers of motivation, and with perseverance and a clear sense of purpose, we not only overcome adversity ourselves but also inspire others to rise alongside us.
Jacqui’s Playbook for Operational Mastery
Inefficiency can quietly drain profits in security companies. Jacqui tackles this problem by carefully examining processes and finding ways to improve them. By aligning the team with the company’s goals, she uses their insights to reshape operations. Jacqui fosters a culture of continuous improvement, focusing on streamlining workflows, adopting smart technology, and making data-driven decisions. Her ultimate aim? To create sustainable operational frameworks that drive profitability while enhancing service quality and employee satisfaction, aligning organizational goals with the needs of clients and stakeholders.
The Power of Women in Security
Jacqui strongly believes that women play a crucial role in the security industry, bringing fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and an unwavering commitment to safety. She emphasizes that their unique contributions are essential for driving operational success. To further elevate women in the sector, Jacqui advocates for the visibility of female role models, inspiring future generations to pursue security careers. She expresses, “True strength in security comes from embracing diverse perspectives, where empowering all voices—regardless of gender—creates the foundation for a safer, more adaptable world.”
Boardroom Experiences: A Crucible for Growth
Jacqui’s time on various boards has been a key part of her professional development. It has given her valuable insights into industry trends, governance, and decision-making. These experiences have strengthened her leadership skills and deepened her commitment to creating inclusive, accountable organizations. By engaging with other professionals, Jacqui has become an advocate for innovative solutions and making a positive impact on her field and the communities she serves.
Acing Achievements: A Legacy of Impact
Jacqui’s relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to driving meaningful value has solidified her status as a trailblazer in the industry, earning her a well-deserved spot among “The 10 Most Empowering Women in Business to Watch, 2025.” But it’s the recognition from the President and Vice President of Tanzania that truly captures the essence of her dedication. Yet, the most rewarding acknowledgment for Jacqui is the award for rescuing a company on the verge of collapse. This triumph didn’t just preserve hundreds of jobs—it set the stage for a flourishing enterprise, still thriving thanks to the strategies Jacqui and her team implemented years ago. She points out that this experience highlights the profound impact one can have within the industry and emphasizes the importance of their work in fostering lasting, positive change.
Staying Ahead of Security Trends
Like all industry leaders, Jacqui stays ahead of trends by staying involved in professional networks and industry events. She engages with peers, reads top publications, and attends conferences to keep learning. This commitment to growth ensures she can continue to lead her team effectively and drive meaningful change in the industry.
Challenging the Status Quo: Advice to Aspiring Leaders
Leadership is a constant work in progress. She encourages aspiring leaders—especially women—to embrace their unique qualities, such as intuition and empathy, as strengths that can bring new ideas to the security sector. “As a woman in security, your perspective is not a limitation; it’s a strength,” she says. Jacqui also stresses the importance of mentorship—both receiving it and offering it to others—as a way to empower the next generation of leaders.
Above all, Jacqui emphasizes the need to lead with authenticity and courage. Women’s contributions to the security industry are invaluable, and their leadership can inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Through this, they can inscribe a lasting legacy within the security industry. “The world,” she affirms, “is ready to hear your voice.”
