Professional Security, headquartered in Leeds, which operates nationwide across the hospitality, leisure, retail and public sectors, has further strengthened its position in the hospitality security sector after acquiring Phoenix Security. The transaction was supported by Clarion’s corporate team, led by Sarah Harrison.
Established in 2005, Professional Security works with a wide breadth of hospitality customers including many of the most influential independent, regional and national operators in the UK. The business has seen transformational growth over the last few years, with established hospitality security and guarding arms. It provides clients with full nationwide coverage and cover client deployments across England, Wales and Scotland. The company’s senior leadership team and management infrastructure has extensive experience within the hospitality sector.
The acquisition gives a combined workforce of over 10,000 frontline personnel and will see Professional Security integrate the full Phoenix operations team into its four regional operational teams that cover the length and breadth of the UK. Steve Howe, managing director of Phoenix, will remain in the business as business director of Professional Security.
Professional Security CEO Dave Fullerton said: “We are absolutely delighted with the acquisition of Phoenix. Phoenix is an exceptionally well-run business and its operational footprint perfectly complements our own. They have built up an incredible client portfolio and have an exceptional operations and frontline team, all of which we look forward to working with over the coming weeks, months and years. Steve’s appointment as business director will add further strength and industry insight to our senior leadership team.”
Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Phoenix was established in May 2000 by managing director Steve Howe and has door supervisors working across the UK, from Aberdeen to Southampton. The company has built a strong client portfolio including McDonalds, KFC, Stonegate Group, Revolution Bar Group, Turtle Bay, Lane 7, Roxy Leisure and Mojos to name just a few.
Steve Howe, former managing director of Phoenix and now business director of Professional Security, added: “I’m excited to be moving on to the next chapter with Professional Security. As a combined entity, we will have an unmatched nationwide staff base and the biggest operational infrastructure in the sector. We are very much aligned on strategy for the business and the direction of the industry. We’re looking forward to combining best practise from both businesses to further strengthen the service we offer our valued client base.”
Professional Security was advised on the deal by Sarah Harrison of Clarion.
Professional Security and Phoenix are both Approved Contract Scheme (ACS) accredited and endorse best practise. The coming together of both businesses means a heightened ambition to further drive standards across the sector.
Jason Thorndycraft, COO at Professional Security, commented: “We feel that the security sector needs to re-regulate post Covid and this acquisition gives us the opportunity to make positive change.”
