First Response Group accelerates growth with ISC acquisition

The acquisition is very much part of the First Response Group’s strategy of diversification, while also underpinning its strategic expansion into stadiums, arenas and the leisure crowd safety sector. According to First Response Group CEO Simon Alderson, the acquisition of ISC is an important step for the business as it broadens its portfolio and geographic footprint.

ISC was founded back in 2003 by Pat Carr and enjoys a robust reputation in stadium security management. The company employs upwards of 800 security officers, all of whom will now be brought under the First Response Group brand.

Further, ISC brings with it a track record of having secured more than 500 events, including two UEFA Champions League finals and security at Wembley Stadium for concerts by bands including Take That and Coldplay.

The company ensured high-level tunnel and back-stage security when Wembley hosted India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former UK Prime Minister David Cameron. That event was attended by more than 60,000 spectators.

First Response Group is also a Security Industry Authority Approved Contractor (for security guarding and key holding services) and holds National Security Inspectorate Guarding Gold approval for the provision of security guarding and key holding in addition to NACOSS Gol approval for CCTV, access control and intruder detection services.

Excellent reputation

Commenting on the acquisition deal, Simon Alderson stated: “For the past 20 years, ISC has enjoyed a great reputation within the industry for developing its people. The business embodies the exacting standards we ourselves set as a Group, so this move represents a perfect match for us.”

Alderson continued: “As we extend our national reach and our range of security offerings, it’s important for us to identify trusted companies like ISC who have the resources and agility we need to meet our customers’ most demanding requirements. For this reason, it made perfect sense to bring ISC into the First Response Group fold once the opportunity arose.”

In conclusion, Alderson explained: “As an accredited and nationwide stadium security company, we have responsive and adaptable resources to provide for the most complex of events. Bringing in the skills and experience afforded by the team at ISC will allow us to provide even greater flexibility and deliver peace of mind for our customers.”

Raising standards

Nabeela Bhutta, director at ISC, responded: “We have long admired the First Response Group and the way in which it operates as a business. As a National Security Inspectorate Guarding Gold certified company, raising standards within our industry has always been of great importance to us. It has been vital that we develop our most valuable resource, which is our people. In doing so, e must enable them to help shape the delivery of our services, rather than just supplying off-the-shelf solutions.”

Bhutta added: “We know that First Response Group holds the same principles. We now very much look forward to being part of an expanding national operation and we’re excited for the benefits this will bring.”

First Response Group employs over 2,000 members of staff and is forecasting revenue above £75 million for 2023. It has received a Living Wage Foundation Recognised Service Provider Champion Award in honour of its commitment to ending in-work poverty and developing defined career pathways across the security industry.