Lord Stevens, chairman of Protector, and Bill Naylor, chairman of Valleywatch.
Image Source: Nick Hill

Gateshead's Protector acquires Team Valley security firm Valleywatch

A security services provider led by a former Chief Constable of Northumbria Police has acquired Valleywatch - a company created 20 years ago to secure the Team Valley Trading Estate.

Lord John Stevens, chairman of Protector, says the acquisition will play a major role in the development of the Gateshead-based business which last year posted record sales of £11.4m.

The purchase of Valleywatch is also expected to open up the potential to boost revenues further by entering the national industrial estate security market.

Protector’s recent progress has been boosted by the acquisition of Hartlepool business QW Security in 2015 - and staff numbers across the group have risen from 230 to 370 in the last two years.

The growth of the company, which is also based on Team Valley, saw it secure a spot in The Journal and Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 in 2016.

Lord Stevens said: “We are very pleased to have completed the purchase of this vital and well-respected business. Our aim is to develop new services and introduce new investment to build upon its long-established monitoring and response operation.

“Police cuts are supporting the growth of the private security industry and the purchase of Valleywatch means The Protector Group now possesses two control rooms supported by the region’s largest mobile response fleet.”

Bill Naylor, chairman of Valleywatch and founder of commercial property agency Naylors, added: “The Protector Group has great reputation with the backing of well-respected and high-profile individuals.

“They understand our business and have an ethical approach to business. We like that they are a local company and we feel they are the perfect fit for the business.”

Valleywatch was established by businesses on the estate after being subject to a spate of burglaries in the 1990s.

A not-for-profit organisation, Valleywatch was funded by over 100 of the estate’s businesses and over the years its manned control room, complete with dozens of security cameras, has secured contracts as far south as Birmingham, and Scotland to the north.

The Protector Group was founded by ex-Royal Marine John Harvey, and later secured backing from former Newcastle United Chief Executive, the late Freddie Fletcher.

Mr Fletcher’s son Alan, co-founder of enterprising Newcastle law firm Square One Law, sits on the board as does Lord Stevens who took a controlling stake in 2013.

Former Newcastle United finance director Ken Slater, was promoted internally to Chief Executive Officer last year.

Mr Slater said: “Our strategy is to continue to grow the business in a structured way, with the industrial estate protection market providing huge opportunities for The Protector Group. We will also be looking out for further acquisitions if suitable opportunities arise.”

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