A SPECIALIST security company in the North East has celebrated its third year in business by increasing its turnover 28-fold and agreeing a partnership to provide employment to ex-military personnel.

Newcastle-based Bulwark Group, which was established in 2009 by former soldier Kris Thompson, provides a range of high-end security services including close protection, residential security, executive driving and dog handling to businesses and individuals across the North East.

Bulwark employs specialised staff from an armed forces or police background, allowing it to offer a niche set of services and staff who are trained to the highest of standards.

Thompson said: “We have experienced substantial growth since our launch, and we have extensive plans for the future. I believe our success is down to the niche set of services we offer and the high calibre of staff we employ.

“Our staff are trained in the most extreme circumstances by the best in the industry, so the service we offer is second to none. They are also very versatile and have the ability to blend into the background or provide a visible security presence depending on each client’s requirements; this really sets us apart.”

Bulwark Group has recently started working with the Career Transition Partnership, an organisation that aims to find employment for staff that have recently left the armed forces.

Thompson, who served on active duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq after leaving his previous role in private security in the Middle East, continued: “I am passionate about providing opportunities to those who have served in the Army.