G4S Security Services (UK) (‘G4S’) has appointed John Whitwam as Managing Director of its Gurkha services division. Formed in September 2007, G4S Gurkha Services is comprised of former British Army Gurkha soldiers and officers, many with recent operational service experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whitwam will be responsible for ensuring the strategic development of the business and is tasked with exploring avenues for expanding the service offering.
In this new role Whitwam will seek to develop G4S Gurkha Services’ existing contract with the Ministry of Defence for the provision of pre-deployment training for soldiers being sent to Iraq and Afghanistan. The service enables serving soldiers to focus on more specialist roles. He is also looking to expand G4S’ market share in the provision of services to ensure the safety and security of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Whitwam joins G4S from the Pilgrim Security Group, a commercial security company that provides a range of security services, including the provision of former Special Forces personnel to the world’s hotspots. He served for 20 years in the British Army reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel commanding a regiment of 700 soldiers in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Cyprus. Doug Hewitson, Managing Director, G4S Security Services (UK), commented: “We are delighted to appoint an individual with such a wealth of experience to lead our Gurkha Services business. John’s experience in the private security marketplace combined with his military knowledge makes him ideally placed to lead this division. We are confident John has the leadership and vision necessary to develop our service offering and to support our mission to deliver best practice security solutions to the industry.”
John Whitwam, Managing Director, G4S Gurkha Services said: “With growing fears about geo-political instability on a global scale G4S is well placed to provide an extensive range of security services to clients across the public and private sector, from major multinationals to military forces. G4S Gurkha Services has a specialist offering and wealth of experience that is unparalleled in the industry. I have been set challenging targets for growing the business and look forward to taking our offering to new markets.”
G4S partnered with FSI Worldwide, a specialist Gurkha security, logistic and training company, to launch G4S Gurkha Services in late last year. G4S is now the world’s largest private-sector employer of former British Gurkha soldiers and officers. Gurkhas employed by G4S are currently deployed on a range of contracts giving security and logistical support for private and public sector organisations, as well as providing specialist training and support services for the military.