Notice Board
How Life’ s Twists & Turns Built a Business: KG Key Services
When most people start a business, it takes meticulous planning, spreadsheets, and forecasts. But for Kenny Grant and Liz Dawson of KG Key Services in Edinburgh and Glasgow, it all unfolded by accident; a series of unexpected life turns, injuries, setbacks, and a shared spirit of resilience.
» WHAT BEGAN WITH KENNY FIXING locks after a devastating car accident and neck injury has grown into one of Scotland’ s most respected names in auto locksmithing.
Embracing Life
Kenny explained:“ I wasn’ t supposed to be here, not in this industry, not a business owner, and not for nearly 30 years. In 1992, I was working as a joiner when a car accident changed everything. I broke my neck. I was in my early 20s and was too young to be thinking about retirement, and I wasn’ t ready to stop working.
“ When I did eventually go back to working self-employed, it became clear that joinery wasn’ t going to be an option anymore. So, I started doing bits and pieces, general maintenance, some lock fitting, mostly on domestic properties and commercial units. No big plans, just enough to keep me busy and pay the bills.
“ Then the calls about vehicles started coming in. I didn’ t set out to be an auto locksmith, but one job turned into five, then ten. Word spread. It got to the point where domestic work dropped off, and the vehicle side took over. I had to learn fast. Back then, locksmithing was a small world. You got trained by other locksmiths already doing the job, one job at a time.
“ I officially launched KG Key Services in 1995. It was just me back then. Now, we’ ve got an office, a workshop, and a team. Still no trade counter, just focused work- key cutting, master keying, programming and diagnostics. It’ s evolved, but it’ s always been about helping people who are stuck.”
A Business Built on Friendship & a Few Broken Bones
Liz Dawson joined the business in 1999. Liz said,“ I’ d been doing Kenny’ s bookkeeping for a while on a selfemployed basis, but I had met Kenny years earlier at a model railway club; Kenny is big into trains. I was helping at an event, and we just clicked. I wasn’ t supposed to be there, I was in the territorial army and had broken my ankle in three places, I only came along to help a friend and to get out of the house. I said to Kenny:“ if you ever need a hand, give me a shout.” and he did.”
Liz became a partner in the business and now runs the office alongside Caroleann. Kenny continued,“ Liz is sharp, no-nonsense, and knows the difference between a Hyundai and a Ford remote just by scanning the screen. I don’ t mess with her office systems- well, not unless I want a fight.” Liz commented,“ It’ s like a sibling rivalry, really. We both know our areas and we both overstep sometimes. But it works. That’ s the beauty of a strong partnership.”
Then there’ s Gerry Dawson, who’ s Liz’ s husband. He used to be the operations manager for a major car transporter company. One week, Kenny hurt his back and asked if he could help-out and he agreed. Gerry told us,“ That was over a decade ago, and I’ m still here. With my background in heavy vehicle recovery, I bring extra experience and calmness under pressure.”
Liz, his wife, added:“ Gerry is great with customers, he just gets on with people, he loves to chat and has a genuine interest in people and loves helping them out of difficult situations. Our team has been
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JULY 2025
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