Cwmbran-based Weston Facilities Management Group, headed by Simon Weston OBE, has signed a national contract with leading integrated services provider, Speedy Services.

Weston FM will be providing a full range of security services, including security dog units and front of house operatives, to Speedy Services’ sites across the UK.

Award-winning Speedy Services operates across the industrial and engineering sector, and as well as a 12-and-a-half acre site at Newport Docks, has sites in England, Ireland and in Abu Dhabi.

Simon Weston OBE, chair of the Weston FM Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with Speedy Services. Like us, the company is currently in the process of expanding and growing its operations in the UK, and we are pleased that we are going to be part of that journey.

“Not only will this relationship be a huge benefit to both companies, it will create new jobs across the UK in the security sector, and we are looking forward to a long working relationship together.”

Damion Robinson, from Speedy Services, said: “The Weston FM Group is quickly becoming one of the most recognised and trusted security brands in the UK. We are currently in a period of growth and we feel safe in the knowledge that they will be looking after our sites.”

The deal is the latest step in the Weston FM Group’s ambitious growth plans.

The company has recently rebranded from Weston Security to the Weston Facilities Management Group, and appointed a new director, Robert Richards, who brings his own security company Alpha Logistics into the Weston fold.

The merger secures around £1m worth of contracts for the company, increases its core team to seven, and expands its reach across the UK with new offices in Cardiff, Shrewsbury and London.

Mr Richards, 56, served in the military for 23 years before spending six years with the Ministry of Defence Police. He set up Alpha Security Logistics in 2007 to offer security solutions and specialist protection to corporate clients, and has provided services at major sporting events such as the Formula 1 at Silverstone, and golf tournaments at St Andrews, as well as provided services to celebrities such as U2 and Pete Doherty, as well as members of the Royal Family.

He will now be responsible with the operations director Paul Hartshorn for growing and developing the company’s client base.

Mr Richards said: “After working closely with Weston Security on a number of projects, merging the companies and joining to take on a managing director role seemed like the perfect idea. My experience specialising in areas such as VIP protection, dog patrols, and personal security, offers something new to the company and together we can offer all existing and prospective clients a full package to cover all their security requirements."

Mr Weston said: “We are delighted to welcome Robert into the fold. His appointment marks a new dawn for Weston FM Group. We are always looking to the future and our long term goal is to offer a full facilities management and security service to our clients. We have recently launched a commercial cleaning arm of the business, TM Cleaning, and we hope to be able to announce some new partnerships and clients shortly.”

The Weston FM Group is currently based in the Springboard Business Innovation Centre in Cwmbran, which was set up by Torfaen County Borough Council to support businesses in the technology sector with high-quality accommodation and access to business support.