Protector Group is growing strongly

Feb 6 2009 by Graeme King, The Journal

AMBITIOUS security company Protector Group has revealed details of several major contract wins helping to drive the business towards its aim of doubling sales to £20m inside five years.

The Gateshead company says it is proving successful in securing contracts in the rail industry for fire protection systems, and in winning customers for hi-tech security work based on remotely operated CCTV systems.

Protector is aggressively looking for new work not only in its home region but nationwide, as it builds up its growing divisions. On fire protection, Protector has won some very high profile work in the south east, including on the West Coast Main Line and the new Stratford International station which handles Eurostar trains. The company is also behind a security system for a new control centre on the Victoria Line on the London Underground. Closer to home Protector has installed a fire protection system in the new £22m Ramada hotel at Newcastle Airport. The company’s chief executive Chris Cunningham said Protector had won work in such competitive and sought after arenas by hiring experienced staff, and being highly competitive on pricing.

Protector has also started work for Mill Garages in the North East, providing security for its dealerships by investing in the latest CCTV technology.

Recent high profile Protector investors are ex-Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens and former Newcastle United chief executive Freddie Fletcher. Lord Stevens says he hopes to grow the workforce at Gateshead-based Protector from its existing 250 staff to at least 1,000 over the next five years and double sales.