Stevens will chair security business
Aug 4 2008 by Andrew Hebden, The Journal
LORD Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police commissioner, has revealed his ambitious expansion plans for a North East security business after buying a stake in the company.
The high-profile ex-policeman, who advises Prime Minister Gordon Brown on security issues, has been appointed chairman of the Protector Group after investing a “substantial” sum in the business alongside former Newcastle United chief executive Freddie Fletcher.
Lord Stevens said he hoped to grow the workforce at Gateshead-based Protector from its existing 250 staff to at least 1,000 over the next five years. He anticipates turnover more than doubling from the projected £10m for 2008 in the same period.
Lord Stevens told The Journal that he and Mr Fletcher had spent three years looking for a suitable investment opportunity. They were attracted to the Protector Group – which offers a range of goods and services such as CCTV, security guards and electronic fire detection systems - because of its “superb people, strong regional presence and immense national potential”.
The former Chief Constable of Northumbria has been a long-standing advocate of greater regulation of the private security industry. “I think it is time now for the private security industry to come in from the cold,” he said. “The private security industry employs more people than the police in this country and I would like to see it continue to improve and do well.”
Lord Stevens – who pledged to be “pretty hands-on” in his new non-executive role, said the company would offer “local solutions to local problems”, providing a bespoke service to North East businesses.
“The region is going through a tough time economically. At these times, then crime levels tend to go up and there is a general worry about safety,” he said.
“Our ambition is to become the main player regionally and then to see where we can go nationally. It is good for the North East if you have a very substantial security business based in the region.”
Mr Fletcher, who is also a director at construction giant Esh Group, said: “Our first objective is local. We want to be a much bigger operator on home soil here in the North East. The fact that our ambitions don’t stop there won’t surprise anybody who knows either John or me.”
The pair will work alongside the existing management team including founder John Harvey who becomes deputy chairman. Managing director Chris Cunningham is promoted to chief executive, Derrick Halliwell becomes executive director and Anne Griffiths takes charge of business development.
Strong CV
Lord Stevens served the police force for 42 years, culminating in his five-year spell as Commissioner of the Met, from 2000 to 2005.
Since then he has frequently featured in the headlines as he has headed up high-profile inquiries into the death of Princess Diana, the security forces in Northern Ireland and alleged corruption in football. During the last three years, he has also built up significant business interests.
His connections with the North East, where he lives, include extensive charity work and appointments as chancellor of Northumbria University and Deputy Lieutenant of Northumbria.
During his policing career, he was commended on 27 occasions for outstanding detective ability or courage, was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2001 and knighted in 2000. He was awarded a life peerage on his last day in the job as Britain’s most senior police officer.
