The guarding company First Response Group (FRG) has appointed a new CEO, Simon Alderson, to implement its partnership business plan and rebrand to FRG.
Mr Alderson, 42, pictured, has nearly 20 years’ experience in the sector, gaining several directorships, including running the Netherlands division for the VPS Ltd and as their UK Commercial Director. In 2013 he became the first elected chairman of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), Vacant Property Protection Group.
The FRG’s Board of Directors said that they selected Mr Alderson because “he is exactly the right fit for our business in view of the next 10 years strategic business planning, which seeks growth organically and via acquisitions. Simon has the experience, knowledge and ability to implement our new mission, which is to provide our customers with the best service and innovation, through supporting our employees, and creating a culture of inclusion and happiness.”
In a UK sector report, FRG was listed last year as one of the top 100 Security Services companies by the industry analysts Plimsoll.
Alderson said: “The two owners of FRG, Jamal Tahlil and Edgar Chibaka, have spent over ten years building a superb foundation with a highly credible customer base. Their enthusiasm, commitment and integrity are why FRG is already known as a multi-services company to trust and rely on. Its key ethos is to treat customers as clients not as some commoditised account number, where only the bottom line counts. As such, this year we want to develop more great customer partners where we can deliver tailor made services that both meets their requirements precisely and adds value to their company.
“It will be exciting times as we continue to gain contract wins for our emphasis on service delivery to, and partnership with, our major customers, including transport hubs, insurance, utility companies and construction giants.”
Mr Tahlil, 37, first developed the business in his twenties, and, with Mr Chibaka, 44, the two Leeds-based businessmen have built FRG into an ACS Pacesetters company, as a firm in the top 15pc of firms accredited by the Security Industry Authority’s ‘Approved Contractor Scheme‘. The company points to its ethos that supports community initiatives, such as by raising tens of thousands of pounds for local charities such as Leeds Mencap. Mr Chibaka is also a Pastor at a local community church.
The firm has a head office in Leeds and six UK regional offices from Glasgow to Birmingham and Cardiff.
