Serving the Teesside Business Community | 71
Taking security to the
Next Level
Next Level Services managing director
Derek Laird (right) and office manager
Rosie Mills receive the Armed Forces
Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme
Silver Award from major-general Ranald
Torquil Ian Munro CBE.
Why security firm’s
award takes pride
of place
Next Level Security Services has 80
staff and clients across the world.
Of all the many accreditations
bestowed on Next Level Security
Services during 2018, one stands
out above all the others. Michael
McGeary reports...
M
anaging director Derek Laird set
up the fast-growing firm with the
vision of establishing a new kind
of specialist security provided by a team of
highly qualified security officers and former
military personnel.
And so he was especially pleased to
receive the coveted silver award in the
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme,
having previously won the bronze award in
2017.
NLSS have also been awarded Security
Industry Authority approved contractor
status and ISO 9001:2015 for its quality
management systems during the year,
but the silver award is Derek’s proudest
achievement to date.
“Leaving the forces can be a considerable
challenge, but former military personnel
have so many skills that are invaluable in our
industry,” he said.
“That’s why we welcome ex-military
personnel to join our staff. This award
underlines our commitment to them and also
lets our clients know we are providing them
with the most highly trained staff possible for
their protection.”
Derek has first hand knowledge of the
benefits of elite military training. He joined
the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at the
age of 16 and advanced to become a senior
NCO.
After leaving the military he worked
in hostile environments for the UK
government and other employers, with his
duties including leading a 16-strong British
Embassy close protection team guarding
VIPs in Kabul.
That wealth of experience is being put
to good use as NLSS serves clients from
the oil and gas, construction, production,
warehousing and heavy industries.
On the wall of Derek’s office in Stockton’s
Gloucester House is a striking image
showing troops in action in a combat zone,
placed there in tribute to fallen comrades.
The silver award is yet another reminder
of the company’s roots and ongoing
commitment to services personnel.
*NLSS employs 80 staff, with satellite
offices in Malton and Stirling, and has
clients throughout Europe, the Middle
East and Africa as well as in the UK. For
a free security survey carried out by a
qualified security consultant, call 01642
265 365 or email [email protected].
The Employer Recognition Scheme
encourages employers to support
defence and inspire others to do the
same. Silver award holders must…
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Sign the Armed Forces Covenant
Proactively demonstrate that
service personnel/armed forces
community are not unfairly
disadvantaged as part of their
recruiting and selection processes
Employ at least one individual
from the armed forces community
category that the nomination
emphasises
Actively ensure their workforce
is aware of their positive policies
towards defence people issues
Demonstrate support to Reservist
training by providing at least five
days’ additional unpaid/paid leave
To find out more about the
Armed Forces Covenant, visit
armedforcescovenant.gov.uk. For
information about the Employer
Recognition Scheme, email
[email protected].