Serving the Teesside Business Community | 39
Force – Scotsman Derek Laird
became a senior NCO during
18 years with the Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders.
member of the prestigious Security Institute.
Now 46, his mission is to give security
a modern new image far from traditional
stereotypes.
“We don’t do door work, pubs and clubs –
there are enough companies doing that,” he
says. “We’re more specialised and operate
on a different level.”
April will mark two years in remission for
Derek but he will never forget the experience
of his hardest ever battle.
NLSS now employs 80 staff, with satellite
offices in Malton and Stirling. Derek is
the sole director and owner and has two
non-executive directors, one in charge of
close protection and the other responsible
for business development in Europe, the
Middle East and Africa. There are also two
operations managers in charge of their
respective areas within the UK.
“My back-office team, Rosie and Olivia,
are excellent at their job and make my life
so much easier,” he adds. “The company
wouldn’t be where
it is without them.
“Adrian is our
accountant and
keeps the cash
flow in the right
direction. We have
great support
from our HR and
health and safety
representatives
too.”
And although
Team – Next Level Security Services now has a total of 80 staff and is
headquartered at Gloucester House on Church Road in Stockton.
the business is
building an enviable
reputation on
location and we will always be based here.
both the national and international stages
with a third office in Scotland, headed up by
“We could easily move our head office
Stewart who is expanding opera