info4security Web Exclusive

Kudos Group gains ACS status

13 Nov 08

Lancashire-based security services provider the Kudos Group has attained Approved Contractor Scheme registration from the Security Industry Authority.

Founded in 2004 and now operating from new offices at Worden Park in Leyland, the Kudos Group has doubled its business over the past three years by providing security guarding, mobile patrol, retail security, training and recruitment services to a range of clients.

The company harbours ambitious expansion plans which newly-appointed Group business development director Mark Prendergast will oversee. “Any security contractor that attains Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) status benefits from greater access to blue chip clients. The sort of clients that will only work with ACS-registered companies. This should create more opportunities for us.”

The Kudos Group is the parent company of Kudos Security Solutions, Kudos Recruitment Solutions, Kudos Training Solutions and Kudos Personal Protective Equipment, with the operation’s overall workload overseen by former police personnel from the Merseyside and Lancashire services.

The Premier League of providers

“As far as we’re concerned, the ACS award catapults us into the Premier League of security solutions providers,” added Prendergast in conversation with info4security. “We can now compete with all the well-known security companies.”

In 2005, the turnover of the Kudos Group was £500,000. Within 12 months that figure had grown to £750,000 and, come last year, stood at £900,000. That figure will break the £1 million mark before the year is out. To achieve its goals, two aspects of the business that Kudos is looking to expand in the near future are the mobile patrol and key holding services.

Ten office staff are employed at Worden Park, the company currently boasting a pool of around 100 operatives. Prendergast wants to recruit between 25 and 35 additional individuals to work as security staff on a retained basis.

Responding to The Culture of the Blade

Of late, Prendergast has been issuing specific members of the team with stab-proof vests in direct response to the growing ‘culture of the blade’ highlighted within the pages of Security Management Today. The £250 vests are being handed out in batches, the first benefiting officers working on NHS contracts in the North West.

Prendergast was himself threatened with a 4” blade earlier this year while working as a door supervisor at a popular city night club in the region. The troublemaker he’d ejected from the premises took exception to being ‘discharged’, and pulled a knife.

“At the time, your training and instincts immediately kick-in and you act on autopilot, but as soon as the initial threat has passed you begin to think about what might have happened,” explained the 36-year-old. “I found out soon after the incident that my partner is pregnant. I’d like to be around to see our first child grow up. That’s why we’ve bought the vests which protect against knives, syringes, spikes and slashing instruments.”

More information on the Kudos Group

info4security readers who wish to contact the company direct should write to: The Kudos Group, 4 Farm Yard Cottages, Worden Park, Leyland, Preston, Lancashire PR25 1DJ (telephone: 01772 641567, e-mail: info@kudossecurity.co.uk)