Commercial security expert Andrew Melvin has joined security risk mitigation specialist Pilgrims Group as the company’s UK business development director.
Melvin’s appointment follows a 21-year career with the police service and 12 successful years in the private security sector. He’ll now play a key role in developing Pilgrims Group’s domestic business and help continue to grow its security guarding service as a leading independent, dedicated security operation in the UK.
Melvin joins Pilgrims Group following his role as commercial director at The Shield Guarding Company. He’s a trustee of the Cross-Sector Safety and Security Communications (CSSC) charity, a legacy project of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and also a member of the Institute of Directors.
Andrew Melvin: UK business development director at Pilgrims Group
Speaking about his new role, Melvin stated: “I have a passionate belief in the provision of professional, high quality security services through a specialised security company which is not too large and impersonal. Several large companies now dominating the market offer a range of other solutions, such as cleaning and catering, but I believe this dilutes the focus on security.”
Melvin continued: “Pilgrims Group provides one of the broadest ranges of services in this single specialist sector, delivering comprehensive security risk management. The company is completely dedicated to the provision of professional security within the UK and on the international stage. It has a highly experienced management team from backgrounds that include military, policing and intelligence services. I’m looking forward to working closely with the team and building Pilgrims Group’s presence in the UK.”
Pilgrims Group’s managing director Bill Freear added: “We’re delighted to welcome Andrew to the company. We have been looking for a very long time now to discover someone with his talents. We have long had the product and track record but needed the final piece in the puzzle which was someone to ‘lead the charge’. Andrew has all the essential ingredients to fit into the Pilgrims Group team and present our services to the domestic market. We have extensive ambitions to grow our security guarding service which will offer so many opportunities for our clients in the coming months and years.”
Jeremy Spring takes on CFO role
Pilgrims Group has also announced the appointment of Jeremy Spring as Chief Finance Officer.
An experienced Board director, Spring will bring key strategic leadership to Pilgrims Group given his expertise in areas such as growth management, business integration, corporate governance, working capital management, commercial finance and multi-national accounting.
Pilgrims Group’s clients will benefit from Spring’s direction of operational finance, calling on his hands-on knowledge of managing high volume payables and receivable teams, systems integration, accounting infrastructure and customer service.
Jeremy Spring of Pilgrims Group
Chief Operating Officer David Freear commented: “We’re thrilled that Jeremy has joined the company and excited to add such financial expertise to our senior management team in order to create, support and drive the strategy of the business.”
Jeremy Spring stated: “Pilgrims Group has grown significantly in the last five years, establishing itself as a trusted industry partner. Through the proven expert delivery of high quality services and the prioritisation of customer service, the Group is looking to build on its phenomenal reputation and I’m overjoyed to be joining at such an exciting time in the company’s life.”
A member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Spring arrives at Pilgrims Group having spent more than 15 years in the international customer services’ industry, most recently working for a fast-paced, industry-leading multinational corporation with a global footprint.
All you need to know about… Pilgrims Group
Pilgrims Group is a medium-sized company with a global network and a strong crisis management background.
The company provides security guarding and intelligence services for businesses across the UK, including clients operational in the pharmaceutical, media and oil sectors.
Pilgrims Group also operates in countries including Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq and Ukraine and has helped clients in times of international crises (including 2013’s tropical storm in the Philippines and the disasters in both New Orleans and Haiti).
Complementing its security guarding offer, Pilgrims Group’s consultancy services include crisis management, evacuation, relocation, business continuity plans and reviews, training and specialist security exercises.
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