The GMS Group has announced the appointment of a prominent fire safety expert as a non-executive director, as part of its expanding range of prevention services.
Dave Cutts, formerly employed by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) for 36 years in security and prevention roles, including his most recent position as the Global Fire Protection Manager overseeing JLR facilities worldwide, has joined the board of GMS. After retiring from JLR in 2021, Dave established DC Consultancy, offering advisory services to businesses on fire safety, such as site assessments, hazard identification, and recommending appropriate safety measures. Dave possesses extensive qualifications and affiliations in the field of fire safety, including the BS5839 Part 1 certification for designing fire alarm systems.
In his new role with GMS, Dave will provide advice to clients on safety and prevention matters as part of the company’s expanding suite of security services. He had previously collaborated with GMS on various services provided to JLR and its sites, including gate supervision and CCTV monitoring.
Expressing enthusiasm about joining GMS, Dave stated that he was impressed with the company’s work during his tenure at JLR and observed their growing reputation as they introduced new services for a diverse clientele. Acknowledging the increasing fire safety responsibilities for businesses, Dave emphasized the significant potential for GMS to offer high-quality prevention services and expressed his eagerness to contribute to their realization.
GMS has established itself as an innovative group of security specialist companies, renowned for delivering practical solutions based on trust, integrity, and reliability through integrated services. The company, employing a workforce of 500 employees, offers security solutions across the UK to prominent brands such as JLR, Aston Martin, CEMEX UK, Neovia, Kerry Foods, and Avison Young.
Neil Male, the CEO of GMS, said, “We are delighted to have Dave join us as his sector knowledge and business background will help shape our offering around fire prevention and develop growth plans for the future, especially in our technology division. Dave is very experienced and has a strong reputation in our sector, so we look forward to working with him as GMS continues to grow.”
Dave’s appointment follows the earlier appointment of Chris Tattersall as the head of GMS’s technology division, leveraging his over 20 years of experience in the electronic security and life safety sectors. Chris joined GMS due to heightened market interest in technology-driven solutions, having previously collaborated with Dave Cutts and his team on the JLR contract.