1998 – GMS Security & Property Support Services Ltd incorporated
Set up by the previous owners including John Goldsmith.
1998 – GVA Grimley, now Avison Young was one of our first customers
At the time, we provided security and property risk management services to them
2000 – Neil Male, current CEO was headhunted from HSBC and joined the business
His first job title was Administration Manager and at the time, the company turnover was £200K
2000-2004 – Preparing for Growth
The key focus was on developing a Quality Management System for the business and increasing efficiency ready for growth
2000 – One of the first prestigious contract wins
Contract won with Arup Midlands Campus, whose founder, Ove Arup was involved in the original design of The Sydney Opera House
2005 – Reached £2.5m turnover
At this time, the Group employed 90 staff
2005 – Opportunity for Neil Male to Buy Into the Business
At age 27, Neil raised £100k by re-mortgaging his family home and signed a personal guarantee of £250k to buy 33% of GMS
2005 – Huge Business Win for GMS
GMS win the Jaguar Cars Ltd contract worth £1.3m at the time. JLR, as it is known today remains a loyal customer to GMS
2006 – Security Industry Authority Approved Contractor Scheme
GMS Security Services Ltd achieved Security Industry Authority (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) status
2008 – Another Automotive Sector Win
GMS secured Aston Martin Lagonda as a customer which it still is today
2010 – The Stream of Contract Wins Continues
GMS win a contract with Triumph Motorcycles, a partnership which now spans a decade
2010 – Recognition for Robust Information Security systems
GMS achieve ISO 27001 (Information Security) and are still the only manned guarding business to have this accreditation in the UK
2010 – GMS Achieve 175% Growth in Five Years
Group turnover grows to £6.9m
2013 – Contract Win in the Food Logistics Sector
Contract win with AF Blakemore & Son, Spar Retail Distribution Centre who now work with most divisions within the group from technology to traditional manpower solutions
2013 – The Beginning of Awards Success
GMS awarded a highly commended Customer Service of the Year Award from the Family Business Awards
2014 – Another Family Business Award
Neil is awarded with Highly Commended Midlands Director of the Year from the Family Business Awards
2014 – Personal Development for Neil
Neil joins a personal development programme with Vistage UK, which included peer-to-peer mentoring and access to global speakers and this led to the team developing a Group strategy
2015 – Sole Ownership
Neil and his wife, Emma become joint owners of the whole Group. Neil conducts the final of five management buy outs, making GMS Group wholly owned by the Male family at a cost over the period of £1m.
2015 – The Growth Continued at Pace
Group turnover grows to £11.2m
2016 – Entrepreneurial Award Nomination
Neil reaches regional finals of EY Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year and is runner up against some 250 applicants
2017 March – Company Share Scheme Launched
Company share scheme introduced as an incentive and retention programme for key employees and directors
2017 – Another Contact Win with Global Brand
Appointed Mercedes AMG Security Partner contract
2017 – Another Award Shortlist
IFSEC Awards, shortlisted for Security Guarding Company of the Year in the under £50m turnover category
2017 – Secured by Design achieved
Secured By Design (SBD) status achieved giving GMS a ‘Police Preferred Supplier’ status for innovative Key Holding & Emergency Response Service. This makes GMS the only security company in the UK to achieve this accreditation for a service provision.
2018 – Faces of a Vibrant Economy
Neil named one of Grant Thornton’s Faces of a Vibrant Economy 2018
2018 – Key Anniversary with One of the Groups First Customers
20 year anniversary as a key supplier to Grant Thornton’s Recovery & Reorganisation team which has involved some high-profile insolvency cases with no insurance claims made and strong operational service delivery with national & global partners
2018 – Innovation Award Shortlist
Neil is shortlisted for the West Midlands IOD Award for Innovation.
2018 – GMS Diversify into Security Technologies
The Group launches a technology division including the appointment of an experienced Senior Technical Manager; a division which has made exceptional progress in a short space of time
2019 – Transformational Leader Award Win for Neil
Neil is awarded Transformational Leader by the West Midlands Leadership Awards
2020 – Contract Renewal with Jaguar Land Rover Following 15 Years of Success
Jaguar Land Rover UK extend their contract with GMS for a further two years, following 15 years of consistent service delivery and being benchmarked every three years through their tender process
2020 – West Midlands Masters Awards Shortlist
GMS is shortlisted for the West Midlands Masters Awards in the large business category. We remain hopeful as the dinner has been postponed due to Covid-19
2020 – Group Continues Growth
Despite the pandemic, we are on track to turnover £15m this year and now employ over 500 people nationwide
