In the first episode of our Women in LP ‘25 series, bp UK’s Karen Warwick and Iona Blake join Auror’s Ellen Dick for a powerful conversation on what empathy looks like in loss prevention leadership.

They reflect on how their experiences with disability and neurodiversity influence how they lead and support others. Their approach to safety goes beyond procedures. It’s built on care, trust, and a willingness to understand the people behind the behavior. By challenging assumptions and staying close to the frontline, they’re helping create retail environments where everyone feels protected.

This is an honest look at how leadership grounded in empathy can change the way we respond to harm.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How empathy and inclusion improve safety outcomes in LP

• New ways to think about crime prevention through a human lens

• The need to be open about personal challenges and turn them into strengths

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Karen Warwick & Iona Blake introductions

(03:56) Frontline teams as the heart of customer connection

(04:44) How retail security became more open and collaborative

(07:40) Adapting leadership styles with different personalities

(13:47) Working through professional challenges with disability

(16:18) The power of empathy in diffusing customer confrontations

(22:46) Women breaking barriers in retail security

(27:02) What a real safety culture looks like

(31:20) Building trust through feedback and technology

Resources:

• Ellen’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ellendick

• Karen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-warwick-60263617b/

• Iona’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iona-blake-38ba844/

• Understand the latest organized retail crime trends: https://www.auror.co/retail-crime-insights-report 

• Learn more about organized retail crime: https://www.auror.co/organized-retail-crime

• Retail Secure Conference details: https://rccretailsecure.ca/agenda/

• bp’s website: https://www.bp.com/