All four divisions of the Edinburgh-based firm, which has up to 2,200 full and part-time stewards deployed around the UK, will now be re-branded under the G4S banner. These are: Rock Steady Security Ltd, Rock Steady Event Services Ltd, Rock Steady Sports Event Services Ltd and Avant-Guard Resource Services Ltd.
“The acquisition ensures G4S’ position as the unassailable market leading event security company in Europe,” a Rock Steady spokesperson said.
Rock Steady specialises in the provision of stewards for live music and sports stadium events, and in recent years has worked at high-profile events like Live 8, T in the Park and V Festivals. The firm also has regular contracts with Glasgow Rangers Football Club, Scottish Rugby Union, Sheffield Arena and Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Hamilton, who started the company 28 years ago, said the acquisition was “great news” for both Rock Steady and G4S.
“When looking at this opportunity we were impressed by the range of events which G4S already manages and are confident that merging the skills and services of both organisations can only be beneficial to clients, their customers and our staff,” he said.
Rock Steady reported a turnover of GB pound 12.2m last year and will now be brought in to complement G4S’ event security team, which already provides security at the Conservative and Labour party conferences, Wimbledon and the British Open Golf Championships.
“Rock Steady is a world famous name in the events sector and will complement our existing skills and expertise in this specialist part of the security market,” said Doug Hewitson, managing director of G4S security services.
“This growing market will benefit from the widened range of capabilities we are now able to offer from live music to political conferences, to iconic sports events.”
Rock Steady Group has gross assets of GB pound 5.3m.