Ranger Fire & Security - Experts & Thought Leaders

Ranger Fire and Security has become one of the first businesses in the fire and security industry to offer fully equalised private medical insurance (PMI) and life assurance benefits. It means that every employee across Ranger, regardless of role, seniority or which business within the Group they work for, will now receive the same wide-ranging and comprehensive package of workplace benefits. The move, which forms part of a wider set of workplace initiatives, breaks from an industry standard in which enhanced benefits are typically reserved for more senior or office-based staff. Comprehensive package of workplace benefits At Ranger, the same package is now being made available to engineers in the field, apprentices, administrators and leadership alike, helping recognize the crucial role they play in the business, and boosting the acquisition and retention of talent.  Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire and Security, said: “When we launched Ranger, our mission was to bring together outstanding local hero businesses, combining the expertise and talent of teams across the UK and Ireland to create a truly national platform capable of meeting every fire and security service need.” Buying additional holiday “Now, we’re focused on retaining and nurturing that expertise and talent, and our decision to provide every employee with the same workplace benefits underlines that commitment, as well as acknowledging the value that every single employee brings to the Group.” “Our engineers are the backbone of this business, and the idea that they should have a different standard of cover to anyone else never sat well with us. We are proud to be one of the first in our sector to put that right.” The enhanced package, available to all employees across the UK and Ireland, includes private medical insurance, life assurance cover, an employee assistance programme (EAP), a scheme for buying additional holiday, an employee referral scheme and other voluntary salary sacrifice schemes. It means that all members of Ranger’s now 550-strong workforce have access to PMI, compared to a national average of 13% of workers. Fire and security sector Alongside the benefits package, Ranger is also providing every company within the Group with access to a full in-house HR function - something that is rare in the fire and security sector, where many businesses operate at a size that makes a dedicated HR function difficult to justify or implement. It means Managing Directors and leaders within the Group, who may have handled people matters directly, are freed to focus on running their businesses and serving customers. For employees, it means professional HR support, clear processes and consistent standards wherever they sit in the group. Competitive labor market The changes are already influencing Ranger acquisition and retention of employees in a competitive labor market. Since the new package was introduced, multiple new hires have joined through the company’s employee referral scheme – which offers current employees a £1,000 bonus for successfully recommending an engineer and £500 for office staff. Several former engineers have also returned to the business in new roles, reflecting the strength of Ranger’s employee offer in a sector where enhanced workplace benefits are not always available consistently across the workforce. Bridges added: “We said we would invest in our people, and this is us putting this into action. A market-leading benefits package, a proper HR function available for every business in the Group and clear pathways for progression are already making a difference to how we attract, retain and grow – something that is good for our teams, our customers and the long-term strength of the business.”

Ranger Fire and Security has announced a new partnership with Ulster-based Fire Protection Ireland, bringing the total number of businesses in the Ranger Group to 26. Fire Protection Ireland was established in 2011 and is based in Cavan, Ulster, providing comprehensive fire and security services – covering design, installation and commission – to public and private sector customers across the nation. Smoke ventilation systems The business’s services include fire alarm and extinguisher services, CCTV, fire training, nursing call systems, smoke ventilation systems and intruder alarms. The company also specialises in fire retardant and resistant spraying for most materials including fabric and timber. Fire Protection Ireland recently acquired two fire and security businesses in Ireland, Red Blaze and Red Fire, which are now fully integrated under the Fire Protection Ireland brand. The senior leadership team at Fire Protection Ireland in Sean Sharkey (Managing Director), Richie MacKay (Sales Director), and Andy Redmond (Projects Director) will remain in place to help grow the business to the next level. Total number of businesses This latest acquisition of Fire Protection Ireland brings the total number of businesses in the Ranger Group to 26 and the number of group employees under the Ranger umbrella to over 550. The acquisition forms part of Ranger’s ongoing strategy to bring together high-quality “local hero” businesses to create a platform that is truly national in scope and capable of delivering best-in-class fire and security services across the UK and Ireland. Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire and Security, said: “Ireland is a key market for Ranger Fire and Security and the latest addition of Fire Protection Ireland provides a key hub, which will help further broaden our reach to new customers across the Republic of Ireland. The company brings their leading service and maintenance experience across both security and fire systems to the Group. They will be a key addition to the team and will help us on our mission to become the one stop shop for all fire and security needs in the UK and Ireland.” Quality customer-centric services Sean Sharkey, Managing Director of Fire Protection Ireland: “Over the last fifteen years, we’ve built a strong reputation for quality customer-centric services. Joining Ranger Fire and Security was therefore the logical next step for Fire Protection Ireland, enabling us to continue expanding our business.” “We will be working closely with the other Ireland-based Ranger businesses to continue to bring the best quality fire and security services to new and existing customers across the region, and we look forward to working across the whole Group to grow Ranger’s customer base and service offering.” Seamless customer experience The partnership helps strengthen Ranger’s existing presence in Ireland and builds on previous acquisitions, including Galway-based Henderson Fire and Safety and Cork-based Emerald Fire Technology, which both joined Ranger this year. With backing from Inflexion, Ranger is on a mission to become the one-stop provider for fire and security services across the UK and Ireland. Through strategic acquisitions and investment in technology and talent, Ranger offers a comprehensive range of services at a regional and national level, all while providing a seamless customer experience.

Ranger Fire and Security has announced two more acquisitions in both the South and North West of England, as part of plans to accelerate the company’s growth across the UK. The announcement comes after the recent majority investment from Inflexion, enabling Ranger to step up its acquisition strategy across the UK and Ireland. Recent majority investment The first of Ranger’s new acquisitions, CIA Fire and Security Limited is based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, serving customers across the South as well as on a national level. CIA Fire and Security was founded in 1982, and its services include fire alarms, intruder alarms, CCTV, extinguishers, keyholding. CIA has been acquisitive in its own right, acquiring PFS, a fire and security maintenance led business and Pioneer Automated Controls, based in Gloucester, that focuses on gates and barriers.  The three businesses join the platform, headed up by Matthew and Sally Harrison. The company’s 80 plus staff will remain with CIA as it becomes part of the Ranger Group, helping to maintain the company’s strong management to help drive growth. Strong focus on recurring servicing The acquisition of CIA Fire and Security will also help Ranger solidify its footprint in the South alongside the business’s existing companies in the area: Fidelity Integrated Systems, Scion Communications Limited, Partnership Fire and Security and Universal Fire and Security. AKD Fire and Security Ltd is a North West England-based fire and security systems provider, with services spanning fire alarms, security and access control and a strong focus on recurring servicing, maintenance, remedials and reactive call-outs. Its diverse customer base spans commercial, hospitality, public sector and residential property. The acquisition strengthens Ranger's footprint in the North West, bridging the gap between its North West hub, Syncro, and its Scottish hub, Secureshield, in Motherwell. Fire and security needs of local businesses Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire and Security, said: “Our two latest acquisitions, CIA Fire and Security and AKD Fire and Security, bring decades of industry experience to the Ranger Group and will help extend our presence across the North West and South of England. With existing Ranger businesses already well-established in both regions, our two new companies will be able to bring their experience and knowledge to the team, helping Ranger meet more of the fire and security needs of local businesses.” “With backing from Inflexion we will continue to step up our acquisition strategy, bringing on board the UK and Ireland’s best fire and security experts to fulfill our mission of becoming the one-stop shop for all customer’s fire and security needs.” Business service delivery Matthew Harrison, Managing Director, of CIA Fire and Security said: “Becoming part of the Ranger Group marks a significant moment for our team, enabling us to extend our services to new customers across the local region and beyond.” “Working alongside Ranger’s group of industry experts will give us a greater opportunity to cross-sell and we look forward to bringing our own experience and skill set to the Group, including strengthening the business’s service delivery and expanding their fire and security offering.” Seamless customer experience These latest acquisitions bring the total number of businesses in the Ranger Group to 25 and the number of group employees under the Ranger umbrella to over 500. The acquisitions form part of Ranger’s ongoing strategy to bring together high-quality “local hero” businesses to create a platform that is truly national in scope and capable of delivering best-in-class fire and security services across the UK and Ireland. With backing from Inflexion and from Hyperion Equity Partners, which has made a significant reinvestment in the Group, Ranger is on a mission to become the one-stop provider for fire and security services across the UK and Ireland. Through strategic acquisitions and investment in technology and talent, Ranger offers a comprehensive range of services at a regional and national level, all while providing a seamless customer experience.