SECURITY
Secure – Close Protection Security MD Glenn Bartlett , left , with AV Dawson and Port of Middlesbrough MD Gary Dawson
FIRST PORT OF CALL
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Security service rewarded for going extra mile with port contract extension
oing the extra mile for its big clients has seen Close Protection Security win a new three-year contract to provide security and facilities management to the Port of Middlesbrough .
The security firm now has a robust five-year plan , with the recent extension of its Middlesbrough Football Club contract , more work secured from Stockton-based Scott Bros and the Port of Middlesbrough deal bringing in revenue of more than £ 3m .
The firm – which also works with Darlington FC and provided security for the recent Olly Murs and Tom Jones gigs at Darlington Arena – has also increased the number of men on site at the Port of Middlesbrough , with its responsibilities extending to facilities management .
Glenn Bartlett , managing director of Close Protection Security , says : “ Securing three more years at the Port of Middlesbrough is really good for us – I think it ’ s absolutely fantastic that we ’ ve got this contract extension .
“ It keeps about 22 members of our team in a position for the next three years , providing job security for them .
“ It shows we have the backing and confidence of Port of Middlesbrough MD Gary Dawson , who is a major player on the Teesside business scene .”
Close Protection Security has already been working with the Port of Middlesbrough – an AV Dawson company – for two years , so will have completed five years with them by the time the new contract is up for renewal .
The contract extension comes after Glenn and the team immediately went the extra mile when they first secured the contract , putting themselves through Port Facility Security Officer ( PFSO ) training , so they had the relevant experience and knew how to dock a ship .
Glenn said : “ I ’ m not one of those people who just wants the contract and then when I ’ ve got it , I just walk away .
“ I learned the business and I wanted to do that because I ’ m responsible for it and I take that responsibility seriously .
“ We put ourselves through the training and learned the ‘ ins and outs ’ of how a port works .”
All staff also do counter-terrorism and first aid training .
“ Our staff are not just security guards lifting a barrier up , they are a vital member of our client ’ s team ,” said Glenn .
Gary Dawson , managing director of AV Dawson and Port of Middlesbrough , praised Glenn and the team ’ s “ excellent level of service ”.
“ As a port facility , it ’ s extremely important that we maintain high levels of security . We are a diverse , 100-acre site , so there is a requirement to have a constant security presence ,” said Gary .
“ Close Protection Security provided us
WORDS : SARAH WALKER PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
with an excellent level of service but also its team understands the complexity of our business and our operations .
“ As a Teesside business , we look to partner with businesses in the local area whenever we can .
“ The proximity of the new Close Protection Security office to our Port of Middlesbrough site means they can carry out regular patrols of our facility and are close by if needed .”
Glenn said : “ This new contract is great for business and it ’ s even better for my staff . I like to reward them the best I can at all times and now we ’ ve got three years of job security for them .
“ They are guaranteed this three-year contract with the Port of Middlesbrough and our relationship with them is stronger than ever .”
As a port , the AV Dawson facility has several security checks that need to be done each day , as well as the full port requiring patrols .
Close Protection Security ’ s response driver can be anywhere on the large proportion of Riverside Park that AV Dawson owns within a minute – something that gives Glenn an enormous amount of pride .
“ It ’ s amazing to see our pick-up trucks and Land Rovers driving about ,” said Glenn
“ When I was a kid , I didn ’ t think I ’ d be head of security for the Port of Middlesbrough . It ’ s great .”
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