Danhouse Security relaunches to tackle gap in City of London market

The business has taken its 30th Anniversary as an opportunity to re-focus operations and address a clear gap in the capital for an independent corporate security business with the “agility, appetite and proven experience” to deliver bespoke services for customers.

Current managing director Neil Barham is leaving to make way for new leadership headed by CEO John Fitzpatrick with support from Waleed Eltayib and Edward Holmes as, respectively, operations director and commercial director.

John Fitzpatrick commented: “Since joining the business in 2017, Neil has brought forward changes to systems, performance and reporting that have helped see the business through some challenging times. He was also one of the first in our industry to embrace the Living Wage for all security officers. Now is the time to build on those firm foundations and establish Danhouse Security as the preferred security partner for property management companies and corporations looking after the most prestigious buildings across London.”

Fitzpatrick added: “As well as meeting the needs of our clients, we will also be ensuring that our front line security officers are well supported financially, physically and emotionally and, importantly, that they have access to Best-in-Class training and genuine career progression.”

Operational experience

A familiar name in the City of London’s security space, Fitzpatrick boastns upwards of 30 years’ operational experience, having started his career with Thorn Security in 1986.

Most recently, he served as director of operations at Bidvest Noonan following its acquisition of Axis Security in 2021. He believes that commercial customers in the City of London are currently faced with limited choice in terms of their security provider following a series of market acquisitions in recent years.

“London is a unique market,” observed Fitzpatrick. “Our experience tells us that property managers often want to work with more boutique players rather than the larger total FM businesses. Smaller firms tend to be more customer-centric, are arguably more imaginative and also more capable of addressing any challenges their clients may have.”

He continued: “Of course, security businesses need to have scale, and to that end we are well supported financially, but this can’t be at the expense of delivering a personal service and having the right account management structure in place. You also must have the experience to understand that security is as much a customer services role as it is one of keeping people, buildings and assets safe. Our security managers and officers are representing our clients’ brands and we know full well that first impressions count.”

Rising through the ranks

Waleed Eltayib is responsible for day-to-day operational matters at Danhouse Security. He’s well-equipped for the role, having started life in the industry 20 years ago as a security officer and then rising through junior, middle and senior management to become director of operations for his previous employer.

Eltayib boasts significant and proven experience in the management and operational delivery of innovative blue chip security operations for organisations and iconic destinations including The Crown Estate, Paddington Central, South Bank Place and The Scalpel.

Edward Holmes is similarly very experienced in working with the demands of blue chip customers having started his security career with Securitas back in 1997. A former business development manager with Axis Security and Bidvest Noonan, Holmes will work closely with the operational management teams to ensure that clients’ expectations are always being met.

Danhouse Security is ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 accredited and also an Approved Contractor registered with the Security Industry Authority. Further, the business is also a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and an accredited Safe Contractor.

The business will be rolling out its new branding in the coming weeks.