500 new jobs on way at Tyneside security firm

Nov 6 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A SECURITY firm on Tyneside plans to create over 500 jobs in the next two years and increase its turnover from £15m to £50m after a big investment from its US owner.

Gateshead-based St James Security was subject to an eight-figure buy out by US firm IPC International in 2005, which has since invested £4.2m in the business, including the establishment of new offices in East Kilbride, Scotland and Hersham in Surrey.

The UK business, which has since rebranded as IPC security, is also looking to set up a further two offices in Manchester and Leeds as well as an additional call centre at its base.

The firm expects to double its number of security guards throughout the UK to 1,000, as well as double its employees in Gateshead to 60 within the next two years.

It is currently developing a range of new technologies, including a body camera and a small dashboard camera for the defence and intelligence services, and has increased its mobile patrol vehicles from three to 10.

In preparation for its aggressive expansion, the firm recently moved into new offices not far from its previous site near the Metrocentre, which has been doubled in size to 6,000 sq ft.

Although the firm said that some areas of its business had not been immune to the recession, it has seen increased demand for security guards as firms look to safeguard their biggest assets throughout the remainder of the downturn.

Mark Partridge, chief executive at IPC Security, said: “We have already grown significantly in size since the takeover four years ago and are now ready to enter our next phase of development.

“We expect to create a significant number of jobs in the North East and the wider UK and expect to more than double our size over the coming year.

“The security market is one that provides many opportunities, both in the need for extra manpower and the development of new, sophisticated technologies.”

St James Security was founded in 1997, initially to provide security and stewards for Newcastle United, but it has since expanded rapidly to work for Capital Shopping Centres, owner of the Metrocentre, and for several blue chip companies including Marks & Spencer, Sage and Northern Rock.

It also said that it would be extending its relationship with Metro operator Nexus and was working on a series of security cameras for car parks across the network and is continuing to provide revenue control staff for targeted ticket inspections at stations and on board trains.

The firm has also provided security staff for some of the region’s biggest events, including the Great North Run and last year’s Tall Ships race in Newcastle, and has just been contracted to handle next year’s race in Hartlepool.

Russ Collet, chief operating officer of the US parent company, said: “We have been very impressed with the work that has gone on in Gateshead since the takeover and are even taking some of the ideas back to the US.

“There is certainly a lot of room to grow in the UK and we will be providing further investment to the UK business when necessary.”