Heysham security company sees staggering growth after business support

A Heysham-based security management company has hired more than 60 new staff following tailored business support from Boost; Lancashire’s business growth hub. Lingwood Security, which has grown its numbers to more than 220 following the support, has also opened satellite offices in Glasgow and Watford to support new contracts and projects as it bids for further growth.

The family company was established by ex-Royal Marine Alan Lingwood senior in 1995 and supplies guards, CCTV installation and monitoring as well as other services to sectors including rail, construction and utilities. His son Alan Jnr joined in 2000. When Alan senior retired from day-to-day involvement in early 2019, Alan Jnr was looking for support to grow the company. He was introduced to the Boost Bespoke programme shortly after, through Sue Denver at Winning Pitch who he already knew.

Alan Lingwood, now managing director, said: “When my Dad retired, I was unsure on the direction I wanted to take the business. Boost has helped in a massive way to give focus and more confidence in sales and marketing. “The support has been invaluable in pointing the business on the right track for sustained growth.” Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Bespoke programme helps ambitious businesses to grow rapidly by determining and delivering the best support for them, whether that is through accessing new markets, boosting productivity or understanding the right financial options for their business.

The support is given by developing a tailored programme including growth workshops, peer-to-peer networks, one-to-one coaching and online help to meet a business’s unique needs. It is delivered by Winning Pitch. 

Sue Denver, programme manager for Boost Bespoke, said: “Lingwood Security was a company with huge potential which just needed some additional help to structure the business for the growth it has experienced. “Through the Bespoke programme, we worked with Alan and the team to understand how we could support. We decided practical coaching, as well as help to implement modern sales software which would underpin this new knowledge, was the way forward. “It’s been great to experience the way the company has taken on board the support they’ve received and reaped the well-earned benefits.” Lingwood worked on a one-to-one basis with business coach Hayley Caine to implement an effective business structure, people management plan and improve sales and marketing processes.

Alan added: “We are a business led by family and close friends and none of us have had any sales training before. “We were winning new work but Hayley spent quality time with us to give real structure to our processes. My sister, our CRM manager Summer Jenkins really benefitted and worked with Hayley to implement a new CRM system.” County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, Lancashire County Council said: "This is another great example of why Lancashire County Council supports Boost.

Companies such as Lingwood Security are vital to the Lancashire economy and we’re proud to hear they’ve created more than 60 new jobs as part of their fantastic growth journey. “Boost helps companies like Lingwood realise and achieve their growth ambitions by understanding their unique needs to ensure they receive a package of quality funded business support.” The support has also helped Lingwood to improve its staff culture, which has contributed to a lower staff turnover.

The company is now targetting turnover growth of 30-40 per cent in the next five years. Boost has received £3.65m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.