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Hi-Tech Euro-Tracking scheme gives Securi-Guard the edge

Securi-Guard has launched a major international scheme which re-thinks the rules on incident management for vehicle and asset tracking – saving customers time and money.

One of the UK’s leading independent Secure Operating Centres (SOC) for vehicle tracking, Securi-Guard has invested heavily in state of the art computer software for its innovative Securi-Track initiative which also removes the problem of any language barriers should the driver not speak the language of the country where the incident has occurred.

Under the initiative, it has secured agreements with security firms across Europe to provide a European Police Response Service to incidents of vehicle theft or hijacking abroad.

Currently, it is commonplace for tracking companies reporting incidents of vehicle theft or hijacking abroad to alert a third party company who then have to call a service provider in the country where the crime has taken place.

But Securi-Guard’s high tech software takes the third party service out of the equation and links directly to any one of a specially recruited team of partners - highly reputable security companies in key European countries.

The system means both Securi-Guard and its network of European security specialists (partners) are sharing a common computerised incident management platform that can be regularly updated and reviewed, thus speeding up incident responses.

Pete Stanley – Head of Telematics at Securi-Guard - has spent the last 12 months working with top Austrian net services company Denkmaiers to fine tune the computer system, as well as seeking the services of highly reputable security firms in the Republic of Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

“We streamline the service by taking out the middle man, which means as well as being able to speed up the response to an incident, we can also pass on a significant cost saving to the customer,” said Pete.

UK victims of theft or hijacking abroad alert Securi-Guard’s monitoring team in its Secure Operating Centre (SOC), where details of the incident are logged on the Securi-Track system.

The security company based where the incident has taken place are then given a secure passcode, unique to that particular theft or hijacking, as well as access to the system.

It gives them access to up-to date positional mapping and they can display all the information in either their own language or English – at the touch of a button. Any updates added to the incident can be viewed instantly by both Securi-Guard staff and the response company staff abroad.

Once the incident is closed it is archived on the system and can be called up if information is subsequently needed as evidence in a criminal prosecution.

Securi-Guard has carried out extensive trials of Securi-Track over the last few months, which have proved very successful, and has launched a separate website for the service.

The company believes it has huge potential and can lease out the operating system to any of the participating partner countries to enable them to develop their own version of the service.

“We believe this is one of the most exciting developments in the field of incident management for vehicle, asset tracking in recent years and will mark out Securi-Guard as a major player in our industry.” said Pete.

Promotion has put Mark at the heart of sales drive

Securi-Guard’s Mark Bostick has been promoted to sales manager to oversee the company’s continued success in securing new business.

Mark –whose previous role was business development manager at the Plymouth –based firm - now heads up the sales team on the fire and security side.

His 16 years of experience in the security industry has helped him develop a broad cross section of customers within the region.

The promotion is in recognition of the key role Mark has played in generating new business opportunities in the fire and security division at Securi-Guard - the region’s largest independent supplier of fire and security solutions.

In his new job, Mark will drive the sales team tasked with increasing Securi-Guard’s growing client base using the wide range of services that comes under the remit of the fire and security division.

His appointment also coincides with the recruitment of a new part-time sales person, who will add weight to the full time sales team already in place at the company.

In recent months, Securi-Guard has enjoyed significant growth as its reputation for first class customer service and expertise within the security industry continues to grow.

Mark said he was looking forward to the challenge of his new role and is determined to ensure the new sales drive will enhance Securi-Guard’s client roster still further.

“Growing numbers of businesses and organisations are recognising the benefits of employing a regionally based company who are able to provide all of their security needs,” said Mark.

“We have worked hard to attain steady growth over the last two years and we see many areas in which we can develop further.”

“Here at Securi-Guard we have the personnel and facilities to achieve this.”

Securi-Guard helps charity golfers raise cash for our heroes

Securi-Guard, the South West’s largest independent supplier of fire and security solutions is supporting a major pro-am golf tournament to raise funds for a leading forces charity.

Securi-Guard is a headline sponsor for the Big Pro-Am at Bigbury Golf Club and the Help for Heroes charity will be the main beneficiary of the day-long event on Friday 30 April.

Around 50 of the top golf professionals in the Westcountry will take part in the competition, which also features football stars including former Wigan boss Paul Jewell and Plymouth Argyle Head Coach Paul Mariner.

Securi-Guard is fielding three teams in the competition, which is open to golfers with a handicap (men 24 ladies 30). Each team comprises one golf professional and three amateur players.

One of the team members will be Securi-Guard’s Finance Director Richard Musson, one of the few members of staff at Securi-Guard with a golfing handicap.

Richard said: “Last year’s event was a huge success and we were more than happy to provide sponsorship support for this year’s competition.

“It is a great opportunity for some of our clients to enjoy a day’s golf and help raise money for an extremely worthwhile charity in Help for Heroes.”

Securi-Guard is one of the leading supporters of The Help for Heroes charity as many of its employees are former services personnel.

Last year, the company took part in a fundraising dinner in Plymouth in aid of the charity and personnel officer and ex-Royal Marine Neil Randall has organised a number of initiatives in support of his former comrades.

Nigel Blenkarne, Director of Golf at Bigbury, said 50 teams are due to take part in the Big Pro-Am this year.

“We are extremely grateful to Securi-Guard for its support for our event for the second year running and now we are hoping for some good weather on the day,” said Nigel.

“Some of the region’s top golfers will be in action and spectators are more than welcome to join us on the day free of charge.”

Securi-Guard’s sponsorship of the Prom Am tournament is just one of number of ways it supports the sporting scene in Plymouth.

The company helps with sponsorship of the Plymouth–based Astor Ladies table tennis team, as well as leading fencer Toni Denham.

Securi-Guard has the Golden touch yet again

Securi-Guard has become one of only two security companies in the UK to be awarded a gold standard for its vehicle tracking service.

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) accreditation means that Securi-Guard now has six NSI Gold accreditations for its wide-ranging fire and security services.

The company now has the most NSI Gold accreditations of any independent security provider in the South West, further evidence of its growing reputation for professionalism and quality of service in the industry.

The award has also been praised by research centre and leading vehicle security specialists, Thatcham.

Mike Briggs, Vehicle Security Manager at Thatcham, said "Securi-Guard is one of the market leaders in providing effective, high quality vehicle monitoring and this accolade is reward for the dedication and professionalism they bring to this very important security service.”

It is also a particularly satisfying accolade for Securi-Guard as the firm was instrumental in helping police authorities and other industries in developing the standard over the past five years.

Pete Stanley, Head of Telematics at Securi-Guard said: “This industry standard is recognised by every police force in the country and we are delighted to have attained it.

“The fact we played such a key role in developing it is testament to the knowledge and expertise we have in vehicle tracking – both here and in Europe.”

The award is a new UK Gold standard for high security vehicle tracking and Securi-Guard had to meet tough monitoring criteria to attain it.

Scott Boyd, Managing Director (Operations) said: “To now hold six NSI Gold accreditations is a considerable achievement and truly reflects the hard work and dedication of all the staff here at Securi-Guard.

“NSI approval means we provide a service that meets the highest recognised industry standards which can only give all our customers confidence in our ability.”

The company already holds gold awards for Fire Alarms, ARC intruder alarm monitoring, ARC fire alarm monitoring, CCTV monitoring and for security systems comprising intruder alarms, access control and CCTV.

As the leading approvals and certification body, the NSI is tasked with safeguarding the highest possible standards in the security industry.

NSI accreditation means Securi-Guard meets criteria including highest performance standards and providing a high level of staff training and supervision to industry best practice standards.

Gold status means the company also meet specific Quality Management System standard and offer a high level of insurance specification and preferment.

Ex-commando Neil leads charity trek for memorial fund

Former commando Neil Randall is rolling back the years as he leads a fund-raising yomp across Dartmoor in aid of a special memorial to fallen servicemen from Plymouth’s 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

Neil, 51, – who now works as Personnel Officer at Securi-Guard - is being joined by colleague Dave Campbell, 47, Operations Manager and around 18 other hardy souls on the arduous 30 mile walk this August.

The team will carry full backpacks on the two day sponsored trek, which will begin at Okehampton and end at the gates of the Royal Citadel, home to the regiment and where the Commando Gunner Memorial will be sited.

The fund raising appeal to build the memorial is being co-ordinated by Major Paul Greene, who Neil served with as a commando for ten years. They both joined as 16-year-old raw recruits at Lympstone in 1974 and went on to become firm friends.

“The regiment is keen to have a memorial that will be a focal point for people to pay tribute to those soldiers who gave their lives in service of their country,” said Neil.

“It was an appeal I simply had to support and we hope to raise as much money as possible to help pay for this monument. It has been a long time since I yomped across Dartmoor as a raw recruit so we have all started training now to make sure we are in good shape come August.”

A total of £30,000 has already been raised towards the £100,000 cost of the memorial. Built from Plymouth limestone and granite, it will feature the names of 14 soldiers killed on operations since the regiment was formed in 1962.

It is hoped that the memorial will be completed by the end of the summer and Major Greene is co-ordinating a whole host of fund raising events to help hit the target.

It is not the first time Neil has helped out his old services pal. Last April he recruited staff at Securi-Guard to contribute to a special Buddy Box appeal in which special parcels were filled with goodies and sent to servicemen on the front line in Afghanistan.

It was Securi-Guard chairman Bill Boyd who initially offered help to the regiment and his son, managing director Scott Boyd, pledged ten boxes from the firm. The company is a keen supporter of the services, particularly the Help for Heroes charity.

Other Securi-Guard staff also contributed scores of boxes of their own, donating items including toiletries, food stuffs, books, pens and writing paper -all co-ordinated by Neil.

To sponsor Neil and the rest of his team, email him at commandogunner@aol.com or telephone 07789371272

Schoolboy football stars get a festive kit boost from Securi-Guard

Securi-Guard has spread some Christmas cheer among members of a youth football team in Plymouth whose kit had seen better days.

The team strip for AFC Southway’s Under 14s squad was getting a little small so assistant manager Pete Stanley - who works as Head of Telematics at the Plymouth based security firm - decided the boys needed new gear urgently.

With limited club funds, Pete asked Scott Boyd Managing Director (Operations) at Securi-Guard if he could help and the boss agreed to sponsor the team – by providing them with a brand new kit.

It means that one of Pete’s grandson’s Kieran Pope,13, who plays in defence, and the rest of his team mates now have smart new royal blue and yellow shirts, shorts and socks with yellow piping to replace their old, all blue strip.

Pete hopes it can inspire the lads to bounce back into the top division of the Devon Junior Minor League under 14s, after the team – which was first formed in 2003 - was relegated to the middle league at the end of last season.

“The boys are delighted with their new kit and we are currently near the top of the division so we are hoping we can get promotion,” said Pete.

“It was a great gesture by Securi-Guard to sponsor the team and buy the new kit as the old one was getting to small for the team.”

Scott Boyd said: “I know how hard Pete works at the club and how important grass roots sport like this is to the kids and Plymouth as a whole, so I was happy to help out.”

Securi-Guard already enjoys a significant sporting profile in Plymouth, handling security for both Plymouth Argyle Football Club and the city’s rugby team Plymouth Albion.

The company also helps with sponsorship of the Plymouth–based Astor Ladies table tennis team and sponsors teenage fencer Toni Denham, a member of the Great Britain Under 17 squad.

Promotion for finance director who helps drive strategy

Securi-Guard Financial Controller Richard Musson has been promoted to Finance Director in recognition of his wide-ranging work to help develop the company.

An experienced business manager, Richard’s new role will involve him overseeing all the company’s client accounts, as well as helping to drive the overall strategy of Plymouth-based Securi-Guard.

Richard’s past business experience as both a managing director and a sales and marketing professional means he also plays a key role in Securi-Guard’s commercial negotiations.

Scott Boyd, Managing Director (Operations) said Richard’s promotion was well deserved and wished him luck in his new role.

“This promotion is recognition of the key role Richard has played in many facets of our business,” said Scott.

“He brings a wealth of business experience to Securi-Guard and has played a pivotal part in many of the commercial successes we have enjoyed as a company in recent years.”

Richard, aged 56, has spent the last 25 years in management roles for medium sized businesses in a variety of sectors, including jewellery, textiles, automotive and manufacturing.

He started working in the Manchester area where he grew up before moving to Plymouth in 1991, joining Securi-Guard in December 2002.

“I am very proud to have received this promotion, which I feel comes at a very exciting time for Securi-Guard as we look to develop new business opportunities both here in the South West and further afield,” said Richard.

Securi-Guard recently signalled its intention to expand across the UK with the appointment of experienced security industry professional Paul French, who is covering the whole of the country selling the company’s fast growing fire and security systems monitoring services to installers.

Paul’s key role is at the heart of a new drive to raise the profile of Securi-Guard’s Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) which monitors alarm and CCTV systems across the UK and vehicle tracking devices, both here and in Europe.

It is the largest centre west of Bristol and operates alongside the company’s guarding and security systems installation service, which covers the whole of Devon and Cornwall.

Securi-Guard scores a sporting double

Securi-Guard has landed a sporting double - after its contract was renewed by rugby club Plymouth Albion.

As the region’s largest supplier of fire and security services we recently landed a contract with Championship football team Plymouth Argyle to handle all fire and security measures at its Home Park ground and city centre retail outlet in Drake’s Circus.

Under the agreement with Albion, Securi-Guard will continue to sponsor a marquee at the team’s ground, as well as providing security for home games and maintaining and monitoring the alarms at the club.

Securi-Guard’s association with Albion now dates back ten years and Managing Director (Operations) Scott Boyd said he was delighted the club had signed another 12 month deal.

“We are very proud of our long association with Plymouth Albion and I know the contract has been of enormous benefit to both the club and ourselves,” said Scott.

“It has been a very successful partnership and let’s hope that the team can enjoy similar success on the pitch this season”

Louise Uncles, Plymouth Albion’s marketing director, said: “Securi-Guard has become an integral part of the club and always delivers its services with professionalism and excellent customer service.”

Securi-Guard plays an extremely active role in sporting sponsorship in the Plymouth area.

The company was the main support sponsor for the Big Pro-Am golf tournament held at Bigbury Golf Club in the summer and also helps with sponsorship of the Plymouth–based Astor Ladies table tennis team.

Securi-Guard also sponsors teenage fencing sensation Toni Denham. The 15-year-old Plymouth High School for Girls pupil, who fences in the epee category, is a member of the Great Britain Under 17 squad and was South West Regional Under 16 champion.

buddi, the world's leading GPS personal tracker, appoints Securi-Guard Monitoring

buddi, the world’s leading GPS personal tracker with emergency support, has appointed security specialists Securi-Guard Monitoring to provide 24-hour emergency support to all buddi customers.

The Securi-Guard team will act as the first response in the event that the emergency buttons on the buddi unit are pressed. The emergency call will alert the Securi-Guard team who will then be able to locate the wearer via GPS, inform the customer’s pre-chosen guardians and, if necessary, refer the incident to the relevant local authority or the police.

The fully trained staff will be based in Securi-Guard`s “Cat II level” response centre, which is quality assured to British Standards and registered with every police force in the UK.

buddi provides GPS accuracy to within three metres (10ft) worldwide and uses the latest assisted satellite technology which gives an instant location on a map accessible via a laptop or pc, mobile phone or Blackberry.

buddi is the brainchild of entrepreneur Sara Murray who developed the device after her daughter went missing. It is currently being used by a number of local councils in the UK for its lone workers and the vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with dementia, and has been adopted by NHS Trusts for midwives and nurses on home visits.

Sara Murray, CEO of buddi, said: “buddi is the world’s leading GPS personal tracker, which is why we are delighted to appoint Securi-Guard to monitor the buddi system. They are established experts and will help contribute to the outstanding level of service which buddi customers have come to expect.”

Scott Boyd, Managing Director (Operations) for Securi-Guard, added: “Through our state of the art Alarm Receiving Centre in Plymouth, we are an established company at the forefront of lone worker monitoring, as well as vehicle tracking, fire and intruder alarm and CCTV monitoring.

“The buddi is one of the leading devices on the market and we are delighted both to endorse the product and play such a key role in helping to protect those who use it.”

http://www.securi-guardmonitoring.co.uk/

Giving Help for Heroes a helping hand

Securi-Guard Personnel Officer and former Royal Marine Neil Randall is back on fund raising duty as the security company joins a special charity night to help injured British servicemen and women.

Securi-Guard is among several businesses in the city supporting the Help for Heroes Charity at a black tie dinner on Saturday 9th May at the Moat House hotel, Plymouth.

The Help for Heroes charity is particularly close to the heart of ex-commando Neil and the rest of the Securi-Guard staff as many of its employees are former services personnel.

Dinner will be followed by an auction to raise funds for the charity and in particular the Headley Court Rehabilitation Unit, where servicemen and women injured in combat are supported on the road to recovery.

Music on the night will be performed by the Band of the Rifles Regiment quintet and there is a DJ and disco later in the evening.

Neil attended last year’s Help for Heroes fundraiser held at the Holiday Inn and when he mentioned this year’s event to Managing Director Scott Boyd he decided to book a table for ten. Clients attending include Infoteam, Interserve and Derriford Hospital.

“I have been in regular touch with the charity’s co-ordinator and when i told Scott about it he wanted to show the company’s support by hosting a table,” said Neil.

“There was a time when around 60 per cent of Securi-Guard staff were ex-services and although it is not as much as that now, we still have a fair number of people who are former army, navy or air force.

“This is a charity that we as are very keen to support as much as we can and we are delighted some of our clients can join us on the night to help us do that.”

Neil is no stranger to fund raising for the services in his role at Securi-Guard. He organised staff to take part in the Buddy Box, which sent supplies and gifts to marines serving in Afghanistan.

Argyle staff tee-up for Securi-Guard

Members of Plymouth Argyle’s management team will be showing off their golfing prowess when they take part in a special pro-am tournament in Devon on behalf of Securi-Guard Fire and Security.

Securi-Guard is the support sponsor for the Big Pro- Am at Bigbury Golf Club and will field three teams in the day-long event on May 1, which include assistant manager Kevin Summerfield, goalkeeping coach Geoff Crudgington and first team defensive coach John Blackley.

Only those clients with a handicap (men 24 ladies 30) qualify for participation and each team features a golf professional. One of the nine-team members will be Securi-Guard’s internal financial controller Richard Musson. One of the few members of staff with a golfing handicap, Richard plays off 14.

Securi-Guard managing director Scott Boyd said: “We are certainly looking forward to taking part in the event. It will give some of our clients an opportunity to play alongside talented golf professionals and maybe do a spot of networking too.”

Nigel Blenkarne, Director of Golf at Bigbury said 50 teams are due to take part in the Big Pro-Am, the first time in nine years that the club has staged this kind of event.

“Some of the best pro players in the South West will be taking part in the tournament and I am also hoping to attract a couple of well known names,” said Nigel.

The sponsorship underlines Securi-Guard’s commitment to the Plymouth sporting scene as it has an association with a number of sports teams in the Plymouth area.

The company helps with sponsorship of the Plymouth–based Astor Ladies table tennis team, who are currently celebrating becoming British champions for the third time in five years.

The company also sponsors teenage fencing sensation Toni Denham. The 15-year-old Plymouth High School for Girls pupil, who fences in the epee category, is a member of the Great Britain Under 17 squad and was South West Regional Under 16 champion,

Toni has taken part in events across Europe and is hoping to make a big impact at the forthcoming Junior Olympics in 2011.

Securi-Guard also enjoys a close association with Plymouth Albion Rugby Club, sponsoring a marquee at the team’s ground as well as providing security for home games and maintaining and monitoring the alarms at the club.

Backing for new foundation pledging community support

Securi-Guard Managing Director (Operations) Scott Boyd has pledged his company’s support to a new charity foundation in Plymouth.

The region’s largest independent supplier of security services is one of a number of high profile businesses and organisations in the city backing the Drake Foundation.

As one of Plymouth’s best known family businesses, Securi-Guard has already supported a number of good causes in the city, including the services charity Help for Heroes and the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Scott Boyd was impressed with the Drake Foundation’s commitment to the city and its principal aim of creating an endowment fund of £5 million that will be made available to worthy causes – now and in the future.

“The Drake Foundation is hoping to make a lasting contribution to the local communities who already work so tirelessly to make a difference in the city,” said Scott.

“As our family business has its roots so firmly in Plymouth we want to continue giving something back to those communities and fully support the foundation in its mission to do just that.”

Based at Tamar Science Park, the Drake Foundation is a local community charity that is looking to support small voluntary and community groups in the Plymouth area through grants.

It has been established as a conduit for businesses and individuals keen to invest in their communities at the grassroots level by supporting a number of good causes and those in the community who may benefit from financial support.

The foundation is working in partnership with the Devon Community Foundation on Plymouth Grassroots Challenge, which has Government financial support for its programme of fund building and grant giving.

It will build on the Grassroots Challenge to achieve the target of the £5 million endowment and aims to recruit 10,000 foundation members from the Plymouth area.

Working in partnership with the other community foundations, it will look to help local heroes and smaller less established voluntary and community groups, ensuring funding is effective and long lasting.