Westminster group plc

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Please improve this article if you can. (May 2007)

Westminster Group Plc is a world-wide company, with headquarters in Banbury, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, that specialises in Fire, Safety, Security and Defence. The group operates through a network of over 60 agents and international offices in over 40 countries, who boast a customer base consisting of predominately: governments and government agencies, non-governmental organisations and blue chip commercial organisations.

The company is renowned for providing world-wide anti-terrorist equipment and systems, as well as specialist diver detection systems, perimeter and border security solutions, pipeline protection systems and homeland security solutions. It has seen recent press from the UK national newspaper The Times over the appointment of their new Non-Executive Chairman, Sir Malcolm Ross.[1] National newspaper The Daily Express[2] also commented about the company's intention to float on the Alternative Investment Market, as did The Times.[3]

Contents

[edit] About the company

Westminster's Non-Executive Chairman is Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Malcolm Ross GCVO OBE, 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.

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 boards 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., which concentrates on providing low voltage cable installation services to feed security, fire and communication systems.

[edit] Structure

Westminster Group Plc now consists of two subsidiary companies: Westminster International ltd and RMS Integrated Solutions ltd.

Westminster International ltd. is the Group's broadly based security systems specialist providing design, supply, installation and maintenance of a wide range of fire and security systems and equipment internationally to domestic, retail, commercial and industrial premises, governmental establishments, banks, airports, sea ports, embassies etc.

RMS Integrated Solutions Ltd. is Westminster Group's specialist provider of integrated low voltage systems throughout the UK, including Fire & Security Systems, CCTV, Structured Cabling, TV & Satellite Distribution and Wireless Data Distribution Technology.

[edit] Mission statement

Westminster aims to improve the quality of life of people throughout the world, regardless of race, colour or creed and will do so by providing world-class protection systems and services encompassing all aspects of Fire, Safety, Security & Defence.

Westminster believe all citizens of the world have a right to personal safety and security and to be free from the threat of terrorism, crime, fire, accident and mishap and will assist with the development, design, installation and maintenance of appropriate solutions to counter all likely and perceived risks to the individual and their property.

[edit] Test grounds

Westminster houses its test grounds on a 4½ acre site, along with the company's headquarters, Coordinates: 52°04′N 1°17′W / 52.067, -1.283. Many of the Group’s products and services are demonstrated throughout the grounds and the headquarters itself. (Access Control systems, surveillance monitoring etc.) The Group regularly host overseas visitors and clients where they have the opportunity to discuss their requirements, test products and evaluate appropriate systems.

The test grounds have some of the world's most sophisticated perimeter security solutions, pipeline protection systems and integrated thermal imaging/night vision CCTV camera systems that are deployed across the property. This is shown in Westminster's Corporate Video [4] which is hosted on their website.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Elizabeth Judge. Sir Malcolm Ross. The Times (May 14, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  2. ^ Andrew Johnson. Security Firm Thrives in the War on Terror. The Daily Express (May 14, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  3. ^ Elizabeth Judge. Anti-terror company set to float on AIM. The Times (May 14, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-22.
  4. ^ Westminster Group Plc. Corporate Video. Ken Rees, May 2007.. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.

[edit] External links