Gateshead security firm boosts multimillion pound growth with 70 new jobs

Gateshead’s security firm, The Protector Group, has created 70 new jobs with the opening of three new branches during 2017.

After securing a large contract, the company has moved from Hartlepool to operate in Billingham creating an additional 20 jobs, as well as boosting staff numbers to 130 on Teesside.

Protector described 2017 as a “record year”; its sales have grown 20 per cent to over £13m.

Ken Slater, Protector’s chief executive officer, said: “These are exciting times for the business. There is a growing demand for private security operations due, in part, to the ongoing reductions in police numbers.

“The new offices in Teesside, Hull and the operational base in Rickmansworth (near Watford) will allow us to service existing and new business as we continue to expand in line with our strategic growth plans.

“We are particularly pleased with our recent contract win on the HS2 related projects and this has great potential for the business over the coming years.”

The recent activity has seen Protector boost its headcount to 400, an increase of over 160 in the last two years.

Towards the end of 2017, Protector started work on a near £4m, five-year contract with a multinational petrochemical company to provide 800 hours a week of manned guarding cover for its Teesside operation.

The Rickmansworth office is ideally situated to service contracts won for HS2; the £40bn high speed rail line between London and Birmingham.

Slater added: “HS2 provides great potential for Protector. The contracts we are winning are for the enabling works and as HS2 gathers momentum we are bidding for the larger contracts on this project, which will last over 15 years.”

Jobs created by the company at its three new bases include; sales, administration, on-site and mobile security staff performing openings and lockups, keyholding and alarm response, lone worker checks, anti-social behaviour witness work and vacant property inspections.