NEPEAN Regional Security (NRS) has been named Company of the Year at the Women Changing the World Awards!

With over 55 countries in the running, NRS CEO Gina Field said she was beyond proud to say, “we took out gold. Yep—little ol’ us from Penrith, up against the globe… and we brought it home!”

The awards were held in London and presented by the Duchess of York – Sarah Ferguson.

I have been fortunate enough to have had Gina as a close friend for many years. It has been my absolute pleasure to watch her shine over the decades. She’s a trailblazing goal kicker in every sense of the word—a brilliant example of what happens when passion, grit and determination come together. Gina is not only an inspiration to women but to anyone striving to be their best in small business. Her journey continues to motivate and impress everyone lucky enough to witness it.

  I chatted with Gina about what this recognition means.  

“This award isn’t just about me—it’s a reflection of the trust you’ve placed in our team, the partnerships we’ve built, and the work we’ve done together over the years. From the kitchen bench where it all started to an international stage… what a ride!”  Gina said.

“Thank you for being a part of our journey—this one’s for all of us, particularly women in business and for future generations of young ladies to believe in themselves.

It’s been an exciting month – First named the best in Australia at the Champion Awards last Friday and now the global awards.”

Me:  As the announcement was live in London, I have to ask, did you glam up in front of the TV or was it a pyjama event?  What did you say when you saw you had won?  Talk us through the big moment.

Gina: “I honestly didn’t think I was in with a chance—some of these women were absolute powerhouses. The stories of resilience, determination, and what they had achieved were almost unmatchable.

It was 5am In Sydney and about 8pm in London where the awards were held, I’d had two hours of sleep, I was in completely unmatching pyjamas, my “ you got this socks”, rocking ugly hair, a puffy face, and clutching a coffee like my life depended on it. When the announcement came through, I’m pretty sure I spat my coffee all over the computer screen and screamed, “You are kidding me!” some other choice words that are unprintable here, I was in total disbelief… Paul, my Hubby, came running down the stairs in his undies,  thinking we had to evacuate.  

Let’s just say… I did not look like someone who had just won a Global Award out of 55 countries—that’s for sure!”

Me: Tell us a little about when you first started NRS.  

Gina: Starting Nepean Regional Security in 1998 wasn’t some grand business plan—it was survival. I’d just been made redundant from the company I was working for, and I remember sitting there thinking, “Well… what now?”

I had no money, living week to week, driving a clapped-out old Holden with more rust than paint, and a security dog that—let’s be honest—had more fleas than training. But what I did have was experience, determination, and a bit of fire in the belly.

I registered the business and started working day and night, 7 days a week, building up my client base. My first clients were Rex Andrews Transport, St Dominics College, and Glenmore Country Club, all of whom are still with me today, 27 years later.

I started the business from the kitchen bench of the rental, and remember I had to clutch start my car to do patrols as I had no money to get it serviced,

In 2007, I applied for three former Olympic venues and got the contracts and the rest they say is history …. Still here, 27 years later, 47 staff, fleet of 14 cars and major contracts, including blockbuster movies, packed with 35 Industry awards, names the Australian business Champion seven times and now a global winner…. It’s still very surreal, and it hasn’t all been wine and roses; there is a lot of sweat on those invoices.

Me: Has the vision you began with and the goals set changed much since then?

Gina: Yes and no.

I still work in my business seven days a week. My mobile might as well be surgically attached to my hip, and yes—I’m that person reading and replying to emails at 3am. The hustle never really left.

But what has stayed constant is how I’ve chosen to run Nepean Regional Security. I’ve always seen NRS as a boutique-style security company. While others chased expansion and tried to go national, I stayed loyal to Penrith and Western Sydney. I’ve had opportunities to spread my wings—but I’ve always believed in quality over quantity.

That mantra hasn’t exactly landed me a Lamborghini or a super yacht—but it’s how I operate, and it’s how I roll.

I believe good leaders should lead by example, not just from behind a desk. That’s why I’ve always worked in the field with the troops—from day one. Sure, the body’s giving out a bit now (and the team jokes that I’ll be rolling in with an NRS walker fitted with flashing lights soon), but that hands-on approach has kept us grounded and real.

Over the years, I’ve watched plenty of companies come and go—usually because they stopped working in the business. That’s never been me. I know the names of my clients, I answer the calls, I know what’s happening on the ground. And that’s exactly why NRS has stood the test of time.

Me: Your impeccable business intuition, combined with your down-to-earth communication skills and quick wit have made you a popular choice as a guest speaker, as well as quite a few television appearances.  Tell us a bit about that side of your career?

Gina: “I know, right? Who would’ve thought that starting a security company would lead me into a media career? But somehow, it did—and over the past 12 months, it’s really taken off.

I’ve gone from doing night patrols and running a security company to being on national TV, radio, newspapers, and in magazines. It all started pretty organically. I began speaking at schools and business events—just sharing my story, the ups and downs of the security industry, and the reality of being a woman in a very male-dominated space.

Then I got invited to a media event in Sydney, and a producer just happened to be there. We got talking, and not long after that, I was being called up to appear on Sunrise on Channel 7 as a regular commentator. The rest, as they say, is history.

Now I get asked to speak on all sorts of platforms—live panels, radio, TV—about crime trends, women in business, running a 24/7 operation with 47 staff… all the things I’ve lived and breathed for over three decades.

At the end of the day, people connect with real. I don’t use big words or talk in business jargon—I just say it how it is. I speak from the heart, with a bit of humour and a lot of honesty. And I think that’s what people relate to.

If sharing my story helps even one person back themselves, take a risk, or realise they don’t have to tick every box to succeed—then that’s a win for me.”

Me: You often speak about the importance of having a point of difference in business.  What has been yours?

Gina: “This subject honestly does my head in. In the business world, people love to keep you pigeonholed—and let’s be real, no one’s going to blow your trumpet
for you. That’s something I learnt early on and it’s stuck with me ever since.

There are fewer than ten women in NSW solely running a security company. So being a woman in a male-dominated industry? That’s actually a point of difference now. In fact, some government departments now include female participation as part of their contract selection criteria—so what’s better than a female owner?

What was seen as a hindrance 37 years ago when I started in security has become my superpower.

We’re also one of the most awarded security companies in the state. But beyond the trophies, here’s the thing—I still work in my business. I know every cent that comes in and goes out. Some people call
that micromanaging. I call it having my finger on the pulse. And after 27 years in business, that pulse is still strong.”

Me: At a time when so many local businesses have faced closure, what other tips or advice do you offer those struggling to make ends meet?

Gina: “Expansion is not success, and this is sadly why many go under. At one stage, we had 64 competitors in the same area, but over the years, they either went broke or closed up; one particular competitor was always hot on my heels, and I then saw he changed his entire branding, cars, signs uniforms, went to a bigger office and crash and burned, matter of fact I rang him and said “what are you doing to yourself”, at the end of the day people do not care for mahogany desks and views of Sydney harbour, they just want service and quality. The reason why people keep coming back to NRS is that they know that they will probably speak with me. I am on the tools with my staff, and nothing looks better than the owner wiping and waiting on the tables and talking to customers. Sadly people need to work hard to keep a business going and if they are not willing for sacrifices, there is no point.

A business is like a newborn or a marriage, it needs to be loved, nurtured, and cared for.”