An East Yorkshire security specialist is celebrating the milestone achievement of reaching 20 years of shielding businesses and organisations from crime.
Shield Security was formed in in 2003 and initially offered guarding patrols to businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire looking to protect their properties.
Having started with just a handful of employees, it now employs more than 600 people, making it one of the biggest security businesses in the north of England, covering across the east coast and North Yorkshire to South Yorkshire, Manchester and Newcastle.
Over that time it has expanded its services to cover almost every aspect of security and surveillance on behalf of its clients, generating a turnover of more than £10m.
It lists the likes of local authorities, NHS Trusts and many of the leading local business names as its long-term clients, with a commitment to going ‘above and beyond’ and always adapting with the times helping it to enjoy one of its best years in business as it celebrates reaching the two decades milestone.
“After 20 years the business is performing as well as ever and this has been one of our best years, which reflects the success we continue to have,” said managing director David Frank, who established the company with business partner Phil Mackay in 2003.
“We’ve evolved over the years to ensure we have remained at the forefront of the industry, and that has meant that we’ve added many extra services in that time.
“Our business was established as a guarding service, and that remains an essential element of our work today, particularly in the retail environment and also in the NHS at doctors surgeries, but a huge part of our work now is the installation of CCTV and alarm systems, which we monitor in our 24- hour control room, providing immediate response when required.”
Mr Mackay says the success of the business has been down to following company values which have essentially been focussed around being ‘a good company to work for and with’.
“We’ve always tried to just be a good business, and by that we mean a good business that our staff enjoy working for, and one our clients enjoy dealing with. We’ve had a ‘can do’ attitude from day one and that is reflected in how we provide a responsive, flexible and innovative services,” he said.
To celebrate the milestone of 20 years a celebration event was held at the company headquarters in Priory Park East, Hull, attended by Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Kalvin Neal, who was a former colleague of Mr Frank and Mr Mackay in their days in the Territorial Army, before Shield was formed.
Cllr Neal unveiled a plaque commemorating the 20 years in business and handed out a number of long-service awards to staff who have been with Shied for 15 years or more.
“It was really nice to get our staff together and celebrate all the business has achieved over the past 20 years, as is the staff who make us what we are. We are a team who come to work to do a good job, but also enjoy what we do. I think that has been the secret to our success,” added Mr Frank.
“To be presented the plaque by Kalvin, given our background together at the TA when myself and Phil met and worked together in local recruiting team made it extra special. It was good to be able to catch up and celebrate what we have achieved.”
