Paul Bland has been appointed as Divisional Director – Retail at The Shield Group, the UK’s tenth largest business security provider. Paul joins the Shield Group from Oltec Group, where he was the UK Operations Director.
The appointment comes at a crucial time for the organisation, as The Shield Group leads the way in a shift in industry practices. Paul will be instrumental in implementing the group’s pioneering Total Security Solutions approach across the retail division, bringing a wealth of sector experience having worked with high profile clients including Selfridges, House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Boots and J Sainsbury’s.
Paul will form a key part of a senior executive team overseeing this period of sector expansion for the group. In his previous roles Paul has worked with organisations such as, Sabrewatch, Oltec Group Facilities Management where he was the Operations Director and Corps Security as National Operations Director. At each of the companies, Paul was instrumental for driving growth across operational functions in the UK.
With retail crime on the rise, private security in the retail sector has not been more important to protecting the interest of retailers and that of their customers. Well trained security officers, allied to the innovative utilisation of advancing technological systems, are better placed to stifle criminal activities on the shop floor and implement rigorous crime and loss prevention strategies to discourage theft which accounts for more than 80 percent of retail crime.
Speaking about the appointment John Roddy, Chief Executive of The Shield Group said, “Paul joins us at an exciting time and as new opportunities continue to emerge in the industry. With his wealth of experience, Paul will play a vital role in expanding our presence and our market share, particularly in the retail sector. We are delighted to have him on board and we look forward to the opportunities he will bring in this business division.”
Paul Bland also commented, “The Shield Group is well positioned in the market and this is an ideal time for growth of its various business divisions. I look forward to being part of an exceptional and dynamic team where my main focus will be to build the portfolio of the retail sector whilst capturing on opportunities that exist across our key markets”.
As a former member of the Royal Air Force Police and with over 18 years of experience in the security industry, Paul is well placed to offer The Shield Group’s new and prospective retail clients support in developing a multi dimensional loss prevention strategy. With access to the Shield Group’s expanding range of Total Security Solutions, Paul is committed to advancing the offerings of third party security suppliers to the retail loss prevention and security markets.
Outside of work, Paul is very active in his local community, he is the co-founder and chair of RGC Worcester, a community based (not-for-profit) gymnastics club in his home town.