VIP Close Protection helps Herefordshire security experts to double turnover

Major growth for former SAS men

[UKPRwire, Tue Aug 21 2007] A team of security experts from the heart of Herefordshire are protecting some of the biggest corporate names in the business world.

Anubis Associates, which was set up by Stuart Anderson, ‘Ginge’ Johnson, Trevor Easley and Geoffrey Pagham, has enjoyed rapid growth over the last two years and is now regarded by many as one of the international leaders in close protection services and the delivery of accredited training security.

Boosted by legal, planning and marketing support from Business Link West Midlands, the company is now turning its attention to diversifying its range of courses in a bid to more than double turnover to £750,000 by the end of the financial year.

“The four of us are all extremely experienced personnel from a cross-section of police and military backgrounds, but not one of us had the expertise or knowledge needed to turn our undoubted skills into a commercial operation,” explained Stuart.

He continued: “We’ve been involved in some of the world’s most hostile places in our previous careers, yet I have to say the most daunting experience to date is starting your own company and dealing with all the personalities, legalities and everyday issues that arise.

“Fortunately, we managed to surround ourselves with the right external guidance, which helped us put in all the systems that were required, in order for our talents to make a real difference.”

Anubis, which currently employs seven specialists, has been structured to provide an extensive range of services for any situation or climate, from Security Industry Authority (SIA) Close Protection Training at their facilities in Herefordshire to the completion of operational protection for corporate VIPs throughout the world.

It also leads the way in discreet personal protection and consultancy services for blue chip petrochemical groups, financial institutions and world leading stadia.

“A lot of people often focus on the close protection as they see this arm of the business as being ‘the most exciting’,” continued Stuart, who is a lead assessor for Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College.

“We focus on the softer skills of close protection that are so important when dealing with people in all types of situation. Our courses are designed to incorporate these qualities to give our clients exactly what is required in this arena.”





Anubis’ training division continues to go from strength to strength and is currently reaping the benefits of a recent £20k refurbishment project that has created truly bespoke facilities.

From this centre of excellence, the business delivers a selection of courses for industry, including the groundbreaking Certified Security Consultant programme and the Security Industry Authority’s full 150 hour Close Protection Course.

The latter is the highest possible accreditation someone can achieve and combines theoretical learning with real life scenarios, covering areas of expertise ranging from threat and risk assessment to legislation and use of close protection vehicle techniques.

As part of a new diversification drive, clients can also take advantage of specialist assistance to develop bespoke health and safety management systems.

“There is no way we could have achieved what we have done so far without the support of Business Link West Midlands,” continued ‘Ginge’.

“John Loach, our dedicated adviser, has worked with us from day one, assisting us with business planning, financial forecasts and legal issues. He also brought in a number of experts to help with the creation of a professional identify and a fully-functional website – two really important selling tools.”

He went on to add: “We will continue this relationship with our current diversification programme and fully expect this to help us during our next expansion.”

The remainder of 2007 is set to be an exciting year for Anubis, with a number of new global opportunities acting as the catalyst for a recruitment drive that will look to increase the workforce by a third.

Business Link West Midlands’ John Loach concluded: “This is a truly international business that has taken complementary skills and moulded them into a really successful company. The management team’s eye for spotting the opportunity will ensure that it builds on a positive start by continually diversifying into new areas.”

Business Link West Midlands is expected to help over 70,000 businesses and individuals thinking of starting a business with information, with a further 16,000 receiving intensive support by 2010.

This level of support is expected to generate a £400m improvement to the economic performance of the West Midlands.


Individuals and companies interested in speaking with Business Link West Midlands should contact 0845 113 1234.

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