On the button: alarm service rings up big gains
SEND For Help, the largest lone worker protection firm in the world, almost doubled turnover last year to £6.1million and is on course for £7.8million in 2017.
Founders James Murray, 43, and Will Murray, 39 – the sons of technology entrepreneur Jan Murray, who launched PC World – operate the business through two subsidiary brands, Skyguard and Guardian24.
Their key-fob sized GPS safety device and apps are linked to an alarm receiving centre at the firm’s base in Epsom, Surrey, which is staffed round the clock.
Chief executive James said: ‘We sold our firm selling digital memory cards and printer cartridges in 2009 and were looking for other things to do. This was around the time of the emergence of smartphones, and we came up with the idea of protecting lone workers through an app.
‘The NHS was the biggest target and we’ve grown that part of the business. More than 100 NHS Trusts are clients.’
The firm also serves 150 local authorities, 200 housing associations, and hundreds of commercial organisations, from Tesco to Travelodge, British Gas and Boots. It works with more than half of the UK’s police forces helping to protect domestic abuse victims.
James said: ‘People have had heart attacks and pressed the button on the device and got the emergency services to them. We’ve had mental health workers under attack. We have numerous examples of where it has genuinely saved lives.’
Many clients prefer their device to a smartphone as it has a longer battery life. Workers can also be reassured via the device when help is on its way. ‘We work closely with a Chinese manufacturer who helped us develop the technology. We’re constantly improving it,’ said James.
He added: ‘My father funded the firm, but it is generating a lot of cashflow now, so we’re profitable and self-sufficient. There are up to eight-million lone workers in the UK. We protect about 100,000, so there’s certainly room for growth.’