G4S Events (‘G4S’), Europe’s leading independent event security company, has opened a regional headquarters in Cardiff. The opening will ensure G4S has the appropriate capability to meet the growing demand for safety and security consultancy and operational support in this market within South Wales, after the company identified the region as a key growth area for sports and music events.
The company has already won and successfully executed the prestigious contract to provide a range of security services for the Ryder Cup, which took place at Celtic Manor in early October. The provision of stewarding and security services involved 650 employees, around two thirds of whom were drawn from the local area.
G4S has identified South Wales as a key strategic target because of the burgeoning growth in major music and sports events hosted in the region. The company believes that tourism and leisure in the region will be a growth sector and that South Wales will continue its growth as a regular destination for major live music and sports events.
Mark Hamilton, Managing Director, G4S Events said: “Cardiff and Swansea have the four biggest stadia in Wales; the Millennium, Cardiff City, Liberty and the SWALEC. In addition, Wales regularly attracts huge events such as international cricket and rugby fixtures, music concerts and of course The Ryder Cup. As the UK’s leading independent event security provider it makes sense for us to be part of these exciting events, which is why we are opening a major office in the area and will be investing significantly in the local economy.
“We were delighted to win the contract for the Ryder Cup, which was incredibly successful with a significant number of highly trained local residents operating on behalf of G4S. We look forward to supporting the growth of the Welsh events industry.”
G4S’ new office will be based in Gabalfa, Cardiff and will be led by Robin Keevil, Regional Operations Manager. Robin is a former Police Inspector, who has extensive experience in the Police management of critical incidents and events. These include the European Summit held in Cardiff, “Wembley Events” held at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, the Wales GB Rally Series and various association football matches at Cardiff and Swansea.
Robin also has extensive experience of managing music events at Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd and Swansea, and he personally held the role of lead planning officer for five visits of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II to the South Wales Police area, as well as numerous other Royal and VIP visits. Such Royal visits included the official opening of the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff and the Senedd of the National Assembly for Wales.
Robin Keevil, Regional Operations Manager, G4S South Wales, commented: “G4S will bring unrivalled experience to ensure health and safety at sports and music events in South Wales, having been providing security and crowd management services to the events market for over 25 years. We will also offer event solutions for political conferences, drawing on the experience of the G20 summit and G12 meetings. We will tap into skills and expertise in the local economy, recruiting talented individuals who will comprise approximately two thirds of employees for the majority of forthcoming contracts.”
G4S was on the Ryder Cup site from early July in preparation for the tournament. The company provided a wide-ranging security solution that included manned guarding services, perimeter patrolling, ticket checking, bag search and scanner searches, left luggage and mobile phone ticketing. G4S staff also patrolled hospitality areas including the Clubhouse, practice courses and driving ranges, provided security for the players’ hotels, and looked after travel stewarding from trains, buses and park and ride facilities.
G4S already carries out a wide range of other operations in South Wales in other industries, including the construction and operation of HMP and YOI Parc in Bridgend, and the management of police custody suites for South Wales Police.
G4S has been providing security and crowd management services to the events market for over 25 years. An experienced partner to flagship international sporting and music events, G4S ensures the safety and security of some of the most exciting events in the entertainment calendar.