A Highland security firm has recruited a former newspaper editor. The Castle Group, based at Dalcross Industrial Estate, Inverness, has made the appointment to support the largest recruitment drive the firm has undertaken since it began 22 years ago. Former Highland News editor Paul Breen, pictured, has been appointed as operations manager.
The guarding company says that it’s looking to hire more security officers in the coming months. It hired an extra ten staff, who all achieved their SIA license after completing the in-house course in February. It is now looking to recruit a further 10 candidates for their next five day SIA course on May 16.
The Castle Group works across all security divisions in the north of Scotland including static guarding, access control, key-holding and alarm response, mobile patrols and CCTV remote monitoring. The firm services both domestic and commercial markets including construction, oil, gas, marine and the renewable energy sector. Paul Breen was recently presented with a lifetime achievement in journalism award at the Highlands and Islands Press Awards.
He worked in regional and local newspapers in the north and north-east of Scotland for more than 40 years, working on well-known titles such as the Northern Scot, the Press and Journal and The Inverness Courier before joining the Highland News Group in 2002.
Managing director of The Castle Group, Jim Ferguson, said recruiting Paul as the firm’s operations manager is vital to the company at a time of restructuring and expansion. He said: “Paul brings to The Castle Group a wealth of experience in team management as well as knowledge and connections across the area and I am delighted to have him on board as a vital member of The Castle Group team.
“Normally the word restructure is met with fear as very often it can mean redundancies, but we are on our biggest recruitment drive since we began 22 years ago. We have seen demand in all areas of security. 2016 is going to see us focus on our largest recruitment drive of security officers to date. Our security officers benefit from professional qualifications, flexible working hours and a career for life. It’s an exciting time in the industry.”
Paul’s main role will be implementing and over-seeing a junior management team within the firm. He said: “As part of the firm’s restructuring plans, we intend to introduce a junior management team. Members will have specific responsibilities within the company and at they will undergo training and gain professional qualifications. This will see us develop a clear path for some of our talented staff for their future, and let senior managers concentrate on expansion and business development.”
The firm recently passed the renewal audit for ISO 9002:2008 standard certificate. ISO 9001 is a standard defining corporate Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
