RiskUKOctober2017

Meet The Security Company: Securi-Guard Fire and Security
In association with the
Having the accreditations is obviously very
important, but being consistently able to meet
the requirements of those accreditations is
absolutely vital.
Risk UK: In practice, what are the main
differences between ACS registration and NSI
Guarding Gold approval?
Scott Boyd: There’s probably very little
difference in as much as both schemes
recognise that, as a company, we’re
consistently meeting the highest standards of
service delivery which should afford our clients
and potential customers alike reassurances.
As the NSI has been providing certification
for more than four decades now, the
organisation’s ‘seal of approval’ does carry a
good deal of clout in our industry.
In its commitment to opening up new
business opportunities for the private security
sector, the SIA’s ACS has also been beneficial. It
helps in making sure that we don’t let our
professional standards slip.
Risk UK: How do you think technology has
changed the industry over the last couple of
years and what do you feel will be the
direction of travel in the future?
Scott Boyd: We could see how fast technology
was likely to develop and recognised its growth
potential, and so formed separate divisions for
the business, each with its own management
team and associated accreditations.
Those divisions cover security services (ie
guarding, key holding and mobile patrols), fire
and security systems (CCTV, access control and
alarms, etc), fire safety services (such as fire
extinguishers and fire door holders) and 24/7
monitoring services (security and fire alarm as
well as CCTV monitoring).
Technological innovation is now at the
forefront of our industry. A large number of our
clients have moved away from the traditional
24/7 manned security service. Increasingly,
they’re making good use of cutting-edge
electronic systems combined with ‘office hours’
security officers, 24/7 monitored fire and
security systems and ‘out of hours’ mobile
security officer response/patrol services.
Risk UK: When it comes to negotiating
contracts and responding to tender requests,
what aspects are of most value to customers
and how are these changing?
Scott Boyd: Customer satisfaction is the best
advert for any company’s services. We’re
extremely fortunate that the majority of
requests come to us through recommendations
and/or knowledge of the company’s reputation.
Ease of communication is also vital, which is
why our key team members are always
available on a 24/7 basis.
Increasingly, clients are asking for ‘shared’
services (ie reducing/removing their manned
security cover and introducing mobile patrols to
open/close sites, carry out random patrols and
respond to any security system activations that
occur during ‘the silent hours’).
Risk UK: How has Government legislation (eg
the National Minimum Wage, the National
Living Wage and holiday pay) affected your
business? Do you believe such legislation is
a good thing?
Scott Boyd: We agree with the introduction of
the legislation you’ve mentioned, but as
referenced earlier, over the last few years we’ve
witnessed an increase in clients requesting a
review of their existing ‘manned’ security cover
with the specific intention of reducing their
annual spend and replacing this service with
24/7 monitored fire and security systems in
tandem with police/security response services.
Risk UK: What are the most important
attributes you look for in your security
officers and staff members in general?
Scott Boyd: We seek candidates who wish to
be a part of our security and fire family. We
want committed and dedicated team players
who have the skills and knowledge to deliver
the best possible service for all of our clients.
When we invest in our staff, we’re investing in
the future strength of the business and, to date,
that effort has most certainly paid dividends. Of
the 154 members of staff employed by the
company at present, 58 of them have over ten
years of service with us.
Risk UK: How can the SIA, the NSI and
industry standards best serve the sector in
addition to the needs of your company’s
clients and the wider public interest? Will
the introduction of business licensing be a
positive step?
Scott Boyd: It’s imperative that we continue to
have a robust accreditations system in place
that’s always raising the bar and challenging
companies across our sector to not only prove
their professionalism and worth, but
consistently maintain – and, ideally, improve
upon – those high standards.
What would the introduction of a business
licensing regime from the Regulator ensure?
Greater accountability and better practises. It
would afford customers the added assurance
that they’re dealing with a reputable business
working within the strict confines of the law.
Name
Scott Boyd
Job title
Managing Director
Time in the security sector
I’ve served in the security
sector since 1985, having
joined Securi-Guard Fire and
Security that very year
Location of the business
Securi-Guard Fire and
Security operates from offices
in Plymouth, Devon and
Wellington in Somerset. Main
areas covered by Securi-
Guard Fire and Security
across Devon and Cornwall
include Bideford, Dartmouth,
Exeter, St Ives and Truro
Areas of expertise
Security guarding, alarm
response, mobile patrol and
key holding services, security,
fire alarm and CCTV systems,
fire safety services and 24/7
monitoring solutions
(security and fire alarm
monitoring, CCTV monitoring,
lone worker alarm monitoring
and vehicle tracking)
Accreditations
NSI Guarding Gold, NACOSS
Gold, NSI Fire Gold (BAFE
SP201 and BAFE SP2013-1),
NSI ARC Gold, SIA ACS
(Security Guarding, Key
Holding, CCTV)
Scott Boyd:
Managing Director of Securi-
Guard Fire and Security
57
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