A PAIR of security experts are building up a business helping to keep businesses safe.
Christine Poole, who runs several martial arts clubs across the North East, joined forces with friend and ex-soldier Dean Fox to form Globaltech Security, focusing on instructing people in high-risk jobs, like the NHS, on how to protect themselves against aggressive and physical behaviour by teaching the breakaway technique.
The business partners had previously spent over 20 years working security in the region and between them, over the years, have caught more than 1,000 shoplifters in The Bridges shopping centre in Sunderland.
The business has gone from strength to strength and secured a number of regional and national contracts, including ensuring safe passage for the Olympic torch when it passed through the region.
Poole said: “In 1987 I found my love for martial arts. Being just 5ft 2in I knew I would need to get strong qualifications behind me.
“I was the first female door supervisor in the Sunderland area, women in the industry were almost unheard of back then.
“Having spent my life attending self-defence classes, I know how important it is that people learn simple techniques that can enable the victim to detach without causing serious injury.
“Going into business with Dean has been amazing. He is like my brother and knowing that we enjoy what we do and can make a living out of it is wonderful.” Fox said: “When I was discharged from the Army in 1991 after breaking my leg, I went into security.
“I worked for nearly all the shops in The Bridges but when I worked for TG Hughes I found that it was closing down and this inspired me to take control of my own destiny.”
As the duo are frequently out with customers, they opted to take a virtual office at the North East BIC in Sunderland.
Colin Turnbull, ICT manager at the North East BIC said: “Security is really important to us here at the BIC, whether it is IT-related or in the traditional sense, so it is wonderful to hear how successful a homegrown security company has been in such a short space of time.
“I wish them all the best.”
