SECURITY
Ring ready - Glenn Bartlett ( left ) with boxer and friend Steven ‘ USSR ’ Robinson
WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
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Boxing
Clever
Champions lenn Bartlett has become something of a celebrity in his own Wynyard household .
Daughters Lilley , 11 , Laila , seven and five-year-old Isla - themselves keen kickboxers - are frequently glued to the Sky Sports BOXXER channel where their dad appears as personal security for heavyweight boxer and long-time friend , Steven ‘ USSR ’ Robinson .
“ They love it ,” laughs Glenn , MD of Middlesbrough-based Close Protection Security .
“ Even though being on the road with Steven means I miss a lot of family time , I can ’ t deny that I love this particular job . It ’ s another arm of the services offered by Close Protection Security .”
Robinson is a 6ft 7in , 18-stone Geordie man-mountain and future World Championship contender who has sparred with Anthony Joshua and is really making a name for himself in the boxing world , so it ’ s no surprise that the sight of their father protecting him gives Glenn brownie points with his kids .
While Glenn shadows Steven , other members of the Close Protection Security team look after the security driving needs of other boxers including Roy Jones Jr and Chris Eubank Jr , plus Ben Shalom , CEO of BOXXER .
Exciting stuff , yet being ringside with
There will always be VIPs who require security specialists like Glenn Bartlett to have their backs , but on some occasions that protection becomes personal , as Julie Burniston finds out
Steven is very special for Glenn , given their humble backgrounds and shared history .
“ Steven and I worked together in security five years ago , earning just £ 7.50 an hour on television and film sets ,” recalls Glenn . “ We became and remained great mates , so to see where he is now , well , I ’ m buzzing for him .” For Steven , there was only one person he would trust with his security .
“ I chose Glenn to be part of my team because ultimately I trust him with my life ,” he says . “ He has a great relationship with my family and I know he has my best interests at heart . In any sport , it ’ s vital that you surround yourself with honest people .
“ Glenn collects me from my house , we then go to the hotel or wherever we are required and the whole logistics side of things is sorted between him and my manager , Mark Clauzel - all I have to worry about is fighting .
“ Glenn is very professional in what he does and that goes back to the days when we worked together . His attention to detail was second to none and his achievements in his business speak for themselves .
“ Glenn is my extra eyes and ears when I ’ m busy working at a press conference or weigh-in . It ’ s always good to know that your personal security is
– Steven and the team celebrate another win
there watching your back .”
Glenn sees Close Protection Security looking after Steven until the end of the boxer ’ s career , but that ’ s not to say he is resting on his laurels when it comes to the other aspects of his business .
The company recently formed a partnership with Sky Sports , providing security for fighters , promoters and anybody else associated with BOXXER while they are in the North-East .
When you add to that new contracts with McDonald ’ s and the Cupral Group plus ongoing contracts with the Port of Middlesbrough , Middlesbrough FC , Scott Bros and the Map Group , it ’ s clear that Close Protection Security continues to expand apace , with more than 90 local people employed so far and an experienced management team taking care of business in Glenn ’ s absence .
While he often can ’ t believe how far Close Protection Security has come in just a few short years , Glenn shows no sign of slowing down , but he says he works so hard for all the right reasons . “ I ’ m dedicated to looking after my girls , my family and my staff ,” he says . “ Everything I do , I do for them .”
To find more about Close Protection Security , visit closeprotectionsecurityltd . com .
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