First Response Group makes strategic acquisition of London-based Integrated Security Consultants Ltd (ISC) to accelerate growth.

October 5, 2023

Fast expanding First Response Group (FRG), the nationwide security, risk and property protection business, has strengthened its foothold in the events and stadia security management sector with the acquisition of Wembley-based ISC.

The acquisition, which was completed this week, is part of the group’s strategy of diversification, whilst underpinning its strategic expansion into stadia, arena and the leisure crowd-safety sector. According to the group’s CEO, Simon Alderson, the acquisition of ISC is an important step for the business as it broadens its portfolio and geographic footprint.

ISC was founded in 2003 by Pat Carr and enjoys a robust reputation in stadia security management. It employs more than 800 security officers, all of whom will be brought under the FRG brand. ISC brings with it a track record of more than 500 events, including two UEFA Champions League finals and provided all areas of security at Wembley Stadium for bands such as Take That and Coldplay. The company also ensured high-level tunnel and back-stage security when Wembley hosted Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and former prime minister David Cameron attended by more than 60,000 spectators.

Comments Simon Alderson: “For the past 20 years, ISC has enjoyed a great reputation within the industry for developing its people and embodies the exacting standards we ourselves set as a group, so it was a perfect match for us. As we extend our national reach and our range of security offerings, it’s important for us to identify trusted companies like ISC who have the resources and agility we need to meet our customers’ most demanding requirements. For this reason, it made perfect sense to bring ISC into the FRG fold once the opportunity arose.

“As an accredited, nationwide stadium security company we have responsive and adaptable resources to provide for the most complex of events. Bringing in the skills, and experience of ISC will allow us to provide even greater flexibility and peace of mind for our customers.”

Nabeela Bhutta, Director at ISC, said: “We have long admired FRG, and the way in which it operates as a business. As a National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Guarding Gold certified company, raising standards within our industry has been of great importance to us. It has been vital that we develop our most valuable resources, our people, and in doing so, enable them to help shape the delivery of our services, rather than just supplying off-the-shelf solutions.

“We knew that FRG holds to the same principles, and we are very much looking forward to being part of an expanding national group, and excited for the benefits this will bring.”

FRG, who is a finalist in this year’s British Business Excellence Awards in the Growth Business of the Year category, employs over 2,000 people and is forecasting revenue above £75m this year. The group also received a Living Wage Foundation Recognised Service Provider Champion Award in recognition of its commitment to ending in-work poverty and developing career pathways across the security industry.