With more than 20 years’ experience in the field of security services, John Roddy joins The Shield Guarding Company with an exceptional track record having held senior Board-level positions at major brands within the sector.
Roddy has served as operations director for the UK at Initial Security and as group managing director with Oltec Group Facilities Management.
He has great experience of the London security market, having developed strong relationships within the financial and blue chip sectors, and indeed throughout the UK. Indeed, Roddy has developed excellent service relationships with organisations requiring both national and regional account management.
Roddy gained further regional experience as general manager at Reliance Security Services, where he managed guarding and operational services across the Midlands and North West of England, in turn looking after a GB pound 55 million portfolio.
His regional expertise is key given The Shield Guarding Company’s national footprint. Now, Roddy will manage the company’s 2,000-strong workforce spread across its six offices in Scotland, the North of England, central England, the South West, two offices in Greater London and the South East.
Roddy began his career as a detective in the CID and Regional Crime Squad within the Greater Manchester Police, gaining an adept, hands-on understanding of the fundamentals of security within the UK.
Role that comes with pride and responsibility
Speaking about his new role, Roddy commented: “The Shield Guarding Company is the market leader in terms of unrivalled quality and service. The role of managing director of this company is one that comes with pride and responsibility. My understanding of the UK security market is key to my new role. I believe my leadership, management and commercial expertise will enable me to support the Board and regional teams to further expand our national capability, at the same time introducing additional security services to assist our valued and impressive portfolio of customers.”
He added: “Under the ownership of Topsgrup, The Shield Guarding Company has quickly made remarkable advances in the UK. I shall endeavour to continue this through my role as managing director, and look forward to working with the team.”
Executive director Stuart Kedward will continue to remain on the Board of the company in the capacity of non-executive director, assisting in achieving the growth objectives and vision of the company.
Contracts for international brands
With projected sales of GB pound 58.5 million for the fiscal year 2012-2013, The Shield Guarding Company is a national provider of security services for internationally recognised brands within the commercial, industrial, charitable and public arenas.
As the most recent acquisition of Indian security giant Topsgrup, The Shield Guarding Company is itself “a symbolic milestone” of Topsgrup’s pioneering growth within the global security sector.
Furthermore, under the ownership of Topsgrup, The Shield Guarding Company recently opened an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in Preston. The ARC will have full Category II status and be compliant with BS 5979.
Commenting on Roddy’s appointment, Topsgrup’s global chairman Dr Richie Nanda said: “With our acquisition of The Shield Guarding Company we’re committed to the British security industry, our customers and our employees. We have full faith in John’s ability to enhance the company’s services and grow the business to even greater heights. Building an incredibly able team is a stepping stone to maintaining the unrivalled standards of security and service that Topsgrup and The Shield Guarding Company maintain.”