Who Are The Top 5 Security Companies?

The professional security business is a large one. In the UK, there are several major players. The top 5, by their annual turnover are:

1. Mitie Total Security Management- £594,000,000
2. G4S – £430,000,000
3. Securitas Security Services – £260,000,000
4. OCS Group – £165,000,000
5. Bidvest Noonan – £137,00,000

The logic of the market implies that the security businesses that make the most money, that have risen to the top of the list, are the best ones out there. But that theory may not be true in practice. So, you have to ask: are the biggest security companies really the best?

A great security company has several different characteristics. It must be knowledgeable. Both about the type of security a business needs, and are able to talk and communicate that with clients, and also about the local area. A big security firm splits different spheres of expertise across many different workers. That could hinder communication and makes smaller security firms sometimes a better bet.

Good security companies also have a desire to forge long-term relationships with their clients. Security is all about knowledge. Working with a client over a long period builds up that knowledge and allows security firms to enhance their expertise and reputation. Large security agencies, with thousands of clients, may lose that perspective and not care about one client or another.

Security is all about providing peace of mind. That’s why a good security agency will be stable and have a strong history behind it. That shows you that they have the experience to get the job done. It also means that they won’t go bust, leaving you scrambling to find a quick fix in a bad situation.

The first thing you should look for when choosing a security company is the accreditations they have. Security companies should be jumping at the chance to prove that they do hold these. These certificates are won by adhering to a high standard and following government regulations.

Another thing to look out for is the portfolio of a firm. Security agencies that specialise in retail security might not be a good fit for securing a construction site. A diverse portfolio of clients showcases professionalism, knowledge and great relationships a business has fostered. These are things to look for when choosing a security agency.

Protecting staff, customers and valuables is the role of every security company. Having good security means that you never have to worry about theft, about nuisance or dangerous people and can focus on growing and expanding your business. That’s hard enough to do, you don’t need other things holding you back.

Well trained, SIA licensed security guards will deter criminals, secure a location and handle any crime that does occur in a speedy, professional manner. Hiring a good security agency means that all this is handled for you.

The big 5 security companies rake in hundreds of millions of pounds a year. They have hundreds, if not thousands, of clients. They are also diversified. They offer security solutions for every conceivable business or sector. But they go beyond this. Most will offer other services, like cleaning or food preparation. That means they might not always have their eye on the security ball. It also means they need to hire thousands of people to provide those services. They can be less discerning in the people they bring into their business than smaller security agencies, who depend on their professional and polite staff to grow their reputation. Big security agencies are also easy to hire – it requires little thought or effort on their part to convince someone to hire them. It’s G4S, they are coasting off their name and size. Smaller security firms do not have that problem.

Biggest doesn’t always mean best. It’s important to keep that in mind when choosing a security company that you can rely on. Knowing what makes a good security firm and how to identify one, will let you concentrate on growing your business.