SECURITY
WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Teaming up - left to right , Mavas Foods ’ MD Dean Fitzmaurice with Close Protection ’ s operations director Shaun Woods and MD Glenn Bartlett .
CLOSE AT HAND
Why the personal touch is vital to the continued success of CPS
With its sixth-year anniversary fast approaching , managing director Glenn Bartlett and the team at Close Protection Security could be forgiven for taking time out to celebrate .
The TeesAMP-based company is constantly busy with ongoing contracts with some of the most prestigious names on Teesside and has many new deals in the pipeline .
But taking his foot off the gas isn ’ t Glenn ’ s modus operandi .
Having started with nothing but big dreams in 2017 , he continues to work hard , maintaining a reputation for excellence . Today , CPS employs 120 people , a number that is set to rise to 200 by the end of the year , providing secure jobs for local people – something Glenn is very proud of .
Offering close protection work , door supervisors , manned guarding , canine security and executive driving services to clients such as the MAP Group , Scott Brothers , AV Dawson , Grantley Hall and Middlesbrough FC , Glenn continues to pour profits back into the business .
He ’ s just invested in two new cars , another Mercedes S Class and a new Range Rover Autobiography , a truly luxurious motor heading his fleet of eight executive rides .
“ When a business is doing well , there ’ s the tendency to want to cast the net further , but it ’ s the personal touch which keeps clients onside ,” Glenn says .
“ We ’ re a Teesside firm and I like to keep our contracts within an hour ’ s drive so someone can always be on hand if required .”
The latest win for CPS is the development of security contracts for McDonald ’ s outlets in Middlesbrough , Darlington , Newcastle and Hartlepool , with
60 | Tees Business hopefully more in the nottoo-distant future .
Dean Fitzmaurice is vocal about the support given by Glenn and the team at his two franchises in Middlesbrough , one next to Cineworld and the other on Linthorpe Road .
“ CPS has fundamentally changed the threat profile of our restaurants for both our employees and customers ,” he says .
“ Running late or 24-hour businesses in any town or city centre will bring challenges , and it ’ s imperative for us to have the right level of professionally trained guards to allow us to operate safely .
“ Glenn and his team are incredibly professional and proactive in suggesting new measures that may have a positive impact on our late-night trade .”
Glenn is thrilled with the difference CPS has made in just a few short months .
“ Since taking over the security on Thursday , Friday and Saturday nights in Boro and Hartlepool , on MFC matchdays and every night in Newcastle and Darlington , the restaurants are once again a safe environment where people can enjoy themselves ,” he said .
“ It saddens me to think that the staff and nearby shop owners were once terrorised by kids or those on drink or drugs , so I ’ m really proud that CPS has helped reduce that .”
Caring about the community is second nature to Glenn .
As a football fan who played locally until the age of 25 , he enjoys the company ’ s links to the beautiful game in our region .
“ Football brings people together and is great for mental health and fitness ,” says Glenn , who also put a team together to play against the MFC Foundation at the Riverside Stadium – CPS won , with a couple of Glenn ’ s ex-professional footballer friends playing for him .
“ CPS have well-established partnerships with MFC and Darlington FC , Stockton Town , Marske United and Billingham Synthonia , providing matchday security and stewarding .
“ We are also back-of-shirt sponsors for Billingham Synthonia and security stand sponsors at Stockton Town , as well as being a club partner at MFC .”
Glenn is also a keen advocate of boxing as a fitness tool and his state-of-the-art boxing gym is available free of charge to all who work for him .
He added : “ A workout every morning really prepares you mentally and physically for the day and I ’ d like to offer the CPS gym to anyone in the Teesside business community who thinks it would benefit them .
“ For me , it ’ s all about looking after our own and giving back .”
To learn more about CPS , go to closeprotectionsecurityltd . co . uk