NEWS
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURES : CHRIS BOOTH
Leading Tees security firm is “ next level ” after being awarded top accreditation
Diamond standard security
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84 | Tees Business hen you are the first security firm in the UK to achieve a coveted diamond accreditation standard for your SIA Approved Contractor Scheme audit , you could be forgiven for resting on your laurels .
But that ’ s not how Next Level Security Services operates , as its name implies , it is a company always looking to go that extra step for its clients .
It has been a whirlwind few years for Derek Laird who , after 18 years serving with the British Armed Forces and the next nine working as a security consultant in hostile environments , took the plunge to set up on his own in 2015 .
From a Stockton base , his firm quickly established a reputation for top class security professionalism and now concentrates on several key strands : security guarding , close protection ( largely overseas ), SIA ( Security Industry Authority ) training , key holding and alarm response , security fencing , access control , and CCTV system installation and maintenance .
And now it is literally moving to the next level , with diamond accreditation in the bag , an impressive new HQ , a new website imminent and an ongoing raft of new staff appointments and contracts .
Speaking at their new HQ in Wynyard Park House , on Wynyard Business Park , Derek is understandably buoyed by the firm ’ s progress .
He told Tees Business : “ We ’ ve had an 800 per cent increase in business over the last 18 months , which is a big achievement , particularly in this climate .
“ We employ over 100 people in the Teesside and surrounding area in fulltime positions . In April , we moved into
The Next Level Security Services team ( left to right ): operations director Jane Laird , operations manager North Jordan Lockwood , office manager Olivia Moody and managing director Derek Laird .
Jane Laird , a former Cleveland Police detective with more than 25 years of policing experience , is Next Level Security Services ’ operations director .
our new offices which meant we are more strategically positioned to respond to our clients ’ requirements . We have a wide range of clients UK wide . Due to the confidential nature of our covert work and the sensitivity of our clients we don ’ t promote who we work for .”
MD Derek is quick to stress the “ us ” in Next Level , with a trusted team of managers and a 100-strong workforce ensuring every aspect of their security offering is covered .
A key part of that “ us ” is his wife Jane , a former Cleveland Police detective with more than 25 years of policing experience and now NLSS ’ s operations director .
Derek said : “ Combined with my lengthy military background and security qualifications , BSc ( Hons ) Risk and Security Management and a masters degree in international security studies , while Jane is an experienced police detective – it ’ s an ideal mix for any professional and trusted security operation .”
Also in the office are operations manager Jordan Lockwood who is currently undertaking his Master of Business and Administration with Teesside University sponsored by NLSS and office manager Olivia Moody – “ she keeps us in check and is vital to us ,” smiled Derek .
But , understandably , our conversation often returns to that SIA diamond standard accreditation , which saw auditors forensically inspect every aspect of the firm ’ s SIA approved contractor Scheme , ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems , and ISO 14001
Environmental Management Systems .
Derek explained : “ It looks at every aspect of the business . To get that diamond standard means , basically , we ’ re at the top of our game – but we won ’ t be complacent . We always look to improve .”
Jane added : “ Not every security company will put themselves through that process because they don ’ t have to . We did it because we believe in what we do .
“ Clients seeking a security provider may want to have the reassurance that their provider has been stringently audited .”
Derek , who is a member of the prestigious Security Institute and has a raft of security qualifications , says business continues to come in , largely through word of mouth and reputation .
Being a 24 / 7 operation means Next Level ’ s Wynyard control room is staffed around the clock , with three supervisors on rotation out of hours meaning clients can be reassured someone is always at hand .
But clearly , the time and effort they have invested in their business is paying off .
“ We now have both capability and capacity to take on additional large national and international contracts ,” added Derek .
“ We play to our strengths and it ’ s working well .” Visit nlss . co . uk .