Westminster group plc
Encyclopedia
The Westminster Group plc is a worldwide security company that specialises in Fire, Safety, Security and Defence. The firms' headquarters are at Westminster House, Blacklocks Hill, Overthorpe, near Banbury
, Oxfordshire
, United Kingdom
. The group operates through a network of over 70 agents and international offices in over 45 countries, with a slightly growing customer base consisting of predominately: governments and government agencies, embassies, non-governmental organisations and blue chip commercial organisations.
Over the years the company has and still provides worldwide anti-terrorist equipment and systems, as well as specialist diver detection systems, perimeter and border security, pipeline
protection systems and homeland security. It has seen recent press from the UK national newspaper The Times over the appointment of their new Non-Executive Chairman, Sir Malcolm Ross. National newspaper The Daily Express also commented about the company's intention to float on the Alternative Investment Market
, as did The Times.
, Master of the Household of the Prince of Wales and formerly of the Royal Household, and the company is run by its Chief Executive Officer
, Peter Fowler.
Westminster was founded in 1988 as a security systems business (called "Westminster Security Systems") supplying systems and equipment to the UK domestic and commercial marketplace.
In 1990, Westminster Security Systems was acquired by Menvier-Swain Group plc, at which time Peter Fowler joined Westminster Security Systems as Managing Director. Westminster Security Systems gained a number of notable achievements being the first security company to achieve NACOSS (National Approval Council for Security Systems) approval and certification to BS 5750 Quality Assurance, the first security company to be awarded a SITO (Security Industry Training Organisation) training award and the first company to design and install a full colour town centre CCTV surveillance system within the UK, linking the towns of Banbury
, Bicester
and Kidlington
. They also supplied several firms in these towns and Bloxham
with fire and burglar alarms, but sales have slackened off due to the credit crunch
.
In 1996 the directors mounted a successful MBO for Westminster Security Systems and in 1999 acquired London based security business CSG.
A restructuring in October 2000 resulted in the sale of Westminster Security Systems and its holding company, Westminster Security Group, to Chubb Electronic Security
. The Westminster Group's land, buildings and manufacturing business, Westminster Technologies ltd, were retained and transferred over to the new Westminster Group Plc.
Westminster Technologies was a small contract electronic manufacturing business producing printed circuit board
s and was sold in June 2006, leaving Westminster International to concentrate on the core Security and Defence business.
In 2006, Westminster Group Plc. purchased RMS Integrated Solutions ltd, specialists in distributed low-voltage systems; the company then listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange (WSG) in June 2007. In 2009 Westminster Group purchased Longmoor Group, the Close Protection and Security Training Services Group.
Westminster International ltd
This subsidiary has a broad-based security systems specialist which is in the provideing designs, the supplying of supply, installation and maintenance of a wide range of fire and security systems and equipment to domestic, retail, commercial and industrial premises, governmental establishments, banks, airports, sea ports, embassies etc. They operate in both the UK and abroad.
Westminster International has uses specialist low frequency
sound emissions in its experimental anti-frogman security systems. A sound that irritates or causes pain. Westminster International have also implemented this sonic factor, but they withheld the exact sound frequencies used.
RMS Integrated Solutions Ltd.
This subsidiary is a specialist provider of integrated low voltage
systems throughout the UK, including Fire & Security Systems, alarms, CCTV, Structured Cabling, TV & Satellite Distribution and Wireless Data Distribution Technology.
Longmoor Security
This subsidiary is a provider of security personnel and corporate security solutions (like pepper spray
, mace
, CS gas
and tear gas) worldwide, protecting high profile international customers including organisations such as the BBC. All consultants, operators and trainers have served with the British Army
's Royal Military Police
, UK Special Forces or the UK Police Force.
Westminster Security Systems
This subsidiary has specialist and more general purpose skills in installing both domestic, retail, commercial and industrial fire alarms, burglar alarm
s and on premises security systems.
The test grounds hold some of the world's most sophisticated perimeter security solutions, pipeline protection systems and integrated thermal imaging/night vision CCTV camera systems. Many of these systems were showcased during Westminster’s Open Days in September 2009. The BBC filmed and aired a two-minute segment, dubbed as "James Bond-Style Gadgets are devised for real". Westminster's Corporate Video demonstrates additional defence and security equipment not shown in the BBC video.
Banbury
Banbury is a market town and civil parish on the River Cherwell in the Cherwell District of Oxfordshire. It is northwest of London, southeast of Birmingham, south of Coventry and north northwest of the county town of Oxford...
, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The group operates through a network of over 70 agents and international offices in over 45 countries, with a slightly growing customer base consisting of predominately: governments and government agencies, embassies, non-governmental organisations and blue chip commercial organisations.
Over the years the company has and still provides worldwide anti-terrorist equipment and systems, as well as specialist diver detection systems, perimeter and border security, pipeline
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
protection systems and homeland security. It has seen recent press from the UK national newspaper The Times over the appointment of their new Non-Executive Chairman, Sir Malcolm Ross. National newspaper The Daily Express also commented about the company's intention to float on the Alternative Investment Market
Alternative Investment Market
AIM is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange, allowing smaller companies to float shares with a more flexible regulatory system than is applicable to the main market....
, as did The Times.
Corporate history
Westminster's Non-Executive Chairman is Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Malcolm Ross GCVO OBEOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, Master of the Household of the Prince of Wales and formerly of the Royal Household, and the company is run by its Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
, Peter Fowler.
Westminster was founded in 1988 as a security systems business (called "Westminster Security Systems") supplying systems and equipment to the UK domestic and commercial marketplace.
In 1990, Westminster Security Systems was acquired by Menvier-Swain Group plc, at which time Peter Fowler joined Westminster Security Systems as Managing Director. Westminster Security Systems gained a number of notable achievements being the first security company to achieve NACOSS (National Approval Council for Security Systems) approval and certification to BS 5750 Quality Assurance, the first security company to be awarded a SITO (Security Industry Training Organisation) training award and the first company to design and install a full colour town centre CCTV surveillance system within the UK, linking the towns of Banbury
Banbury
Banbury is a market town and civil parish on the River Cherwell in the Cherwell District of Oxfordshire. It is northwest of London, southeast of Birmingham, south of Coventry and north northwest of the county town of Oxford...
, Bicester
Bicester
Bicester is a town and civil parish in the Cherwell district of northeastern Oxfordshire in England.This historic market centre is one of the fastest growing towns in Oxfordshire Development has been favoured by its proximity to junction 9 of the M40 motorway linking it to London, Birmingham and...
and Kidlington
Kidlington
Kidlington is a large village and civil parish between the River Cherwell and the Oxford Canal, north of Oxford and southwest of Bicester.-History:...
. They also supplied several firms in these towns and Bloxham
Bloxham
Bloxham is a village and civil parish in northern Oxfordshire on the edge of the Cotswolds, southwest of Banbury.-Early settlement:Under Roman rule between the 1st and 5th centuries there were several farms and a burial site in the Bloxham area....
with fire and burglar alarms, but sales have slackened off due to the credit crunch
Credit crunch
A credit crunch is a reduction in the general availability of loans or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. A credit crunch generally involves a reduction in the availability of credit independent of a rise in official interest rates...
.
In 1996 the directors mounted a successful MBO for Westminster Security Systems and in 1999 acquired London based security business CSG.
A restructuring in October 2000 resulted in the sale of Westminster Security Systems and its holding company, Westminster Security Group, to Chubb Electronic Security
Chubb Locks
Chubb Locks is a brand name of the Mul-T-Lock subsidiary of the Assa Abloy Group, which manufactures high security locking systems for residential, secure confinement and commercial applications.-History:...
. The Westminster Group's land, buildings and manufacturing business, Westminster Technologies ltd, were retained and transferred over to the new Westminster Group Plc.
Westminster Technologies was a small contract electronic manufacturing business producing printed circuit board
Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board, or PCB, is used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, tracks or signal traces etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. It is also referred to as printed wiring board or etched wiring...
s and was sold in June 2006, leaving Westminster International to concentrate on the core Security and Defence business.
In 2006, Westminster Group Plc. purchased RMS Integrated Solutions ltd, specialists in distributed low-voltage systems; the company then listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange (WSG) in June 2007. In 2009 Westminster Group purchased Longmoor Group, the Close Protection and Security Training Services Group.
Corporate sub-structure
Westminster Group Plc has four subsidiary companies: Westminster International ltd, RMS Integrated Solutions ltd, Longmoor Group and Westminster Security Systems.Westminster International ltd
This subsidiary has a broad-based security systems specialist which is in the provideing designs, the supplying of supply, installation and maintenance of a wide range of fire and security systems and equipment to domestic, retail, commercial and industrial premises, governmental establishments, banks, airports, sea ports, embassies etc. They operate in both the UK and abroad.
Westminster International has uses specialist low frequency
Low frequency
Low frequency or low freq or LF refers to radio frequencies in the range of 30 kHz–300 kHz. In Europe, and parts of Northern Africa and of Asia, part of the LF spectrum is used for AM broadcasting as the longwave band. In the western hemisphere, its main use is for aircraft beacon,...
sound emissions in its experimental anti-frogman security systems. A sound that irritates or causes pain. Westminster International have also implemented this sonic factor, but they withheld the exact sound frequencies used.
RMS Integrated Solutions Ltd.
This subsidiary is a specialist provider of integrated low voltage
Voltage
Voltage, otherwise known as electrical potential difference or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points...
systems throughout the UK, including Fire & Security Systems, alarms, CCTV, Structured Cabling, TV & Satellite Distribution and Wireless Data Distribution Technology.
Longmoor Security
This subsidiary is a provider of security personnel and corporate security solutions (like pepper spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
, mace
Mace (spray)
Chemical Mace is a tear gas in the form of an aerosol spray which propels a lachrymatory agent mixed with a volatile solvent. It is sometimes used as a self-defense device...
, CS gas
CS gas
2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent...
and tear gas) worldwide, protecting high profile international customers including organisations such as the BBC. All consultants, operators and trainers have served with the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
's Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
, UK Special Forces or the UK Police Force.
Westminster Security Systems
This subsidiary has specialist and more general purpose skills in installing both domestic, retail, commercial and industrial fire alarms, burglar alarm
Burglar alarm
Burglar , alarms are systems designed to detect unauthorized entry into a building or area. They consist of an array of sensors, a control panel and alerting system, and interconnections...
s and on premises security systems.
Executive board members
The board of the Westminster Group consisted as of 2001, of four executive, two non-executive directors and one non-executive Chairman:- Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Malcolm Ross GCVO OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(Non-Executive Chairman, Chairman of Remuneration and member of the Audit Committees); - The Right HonourableThe Right HonourableThe Right Honourable is an honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain people in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Anglophone Caribbean and other Commonwealth Realms, and occasionally elsewhere...
Sir Michael Pakenham KBEKBE (disambiguation)KBE is Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.KBE may also refer to:* Knowledge-based engineering* Knowledge-based economy...
CMG (Non-Executive Director, Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Remuneration Committee); - The Right HonourableThe Right HonourableThe Right Honourable is an honorific prefix that is traditionally applied to certain people in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Anglophone Caribbean and other Commonwealth Realms, and occasionally elsewhere...
Sir John WheelerJohn Wheeler (politician)Sir John Daniel Wheeler, DL, JP, KStJ is a British Conservative politician who served as Security Minister in Northern Ireland.-Early career:...
KStJ, HQA, JP, DLDeputy LieutenantIn the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(Non-Executive Chairman of Longmoor Group); - Peter Fowler (Chief Executive Officer and Remuneration Committee);
- Nicholas Mearing Smith (Finance Director and Remuneration Committee);
- Roger Worrall (Commercial Director);
- Stuart Fowler BEng (Hons) (Operations Director).
The company test grounds
Westminster houses its test grounds and company headquarters on a 4½ acre site outside Banbury, UK . Many of the Group’s products and services are demonstrated on the grounds and inside corporate headquarters (e.g. access control systems, surveillance monitoring etc.). The Group regularly hosts overseas visitors and clients to discuss specific requirements, test products and evaluate appropriate systems.The test grounds hold some of the world's most sophisticated perimeter security solutions, pipeline protection systems and integrated thermal imaging/night vision CCTV camera systems. Many of these systems were showcased during Westminster’s Open Days in September 2009. The BBC filmed and aired a two-minute segment, dubbed as "James Bond-Style Gadgets are devised for real". Westminster's Corporate Video demonstrates additional defence and security equipment not shown in the BBC video.
See also
- Chubb LocksChubb LocksChubb Locks is a brand name of the Mul-T-Lock subsidiary of the Assa Abloy Group, which manufactures high security locking systems for residential, secure confinement and commercial applications.-History:...
- Yale (company)Yale (company)Yale is a lock manufacturer owned by Assa Abloy. It is associated with the pin tumbler lock, which is often known as the Yale lock.- History :...
*Business Technology AssociationBusiness Technology AssociationThe Business Technology Association is an international not-for-profit trade association serving independent dealers, value-added resellers, systems integrators, manufacturers and distributors in the business equipment and systems industry... - Glass break detectorGlass break detectorA glass break detector is a sensor used in electronic burglar alarms that detects if a pane of glass is shattered or broken. These sensors are commonly used near glass doors or glass store-front windows to detect if an intruder broke the glass and entered....
- History of BanburyHistory of BanburyBanbury is a circa 1,500 year old market town and civil parish on the River Cherwell in the Cherwell District of Oxfordshire. It is northwest of London, southeast of Birmingham, south of Coventry and north northwest of the county town of Oxford....
- Overthorpe, Northamptonshire
- Physical SecurityPhysical securityPhysical security describes measures that are designed to deny access to unauthorized personnel from physically accessing a building, facility, resource, or stored information; and guidance on how to design structures to resist potentially hostile acts...