Universal Security

Private Security Servicesuniversal-security.co.uk

Universal Security is a UK private security services provider, founded 1994 in London, delivering integrated manned guarding, mobile patrols, 24/7 remote monitoring, keyholding, event security, and technical installation to enterprise clients across all four UK nations.

Company typePrivate
Founded1994
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Headcount251–500
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What Universal Security does

Universal Security is a UK private security services provider founded in 1994, headquartered at 70 White Lion Street, London, and operating across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland with a 251-500 employee workforce. The company delivers integrated manned and technology-enabled security services to enterprise clients, with core offerings spanning Security Officers (manned guarding), Security Patrol, Mobile Patrols, 24/7 Remote Monitoring (CCTV control room), Event Security, Keyholding with CyberLock electronic access control, Fire Watch, and Technical Installation of CCTV/ANPR/access control/intruder alarm systems. Service delivery is supported by an integrated IT management stack — Verifi (checkpoint/GPS patrol verification), MyTAG, Timegate (workforce tracking), and Clientshare (client portal) — plus a Learning Management System for staff training.

The business model is principally enterprise B2B with multi-year contracts and quote-based, custom-pricing; recurring subscription-style streams dominate (guarding, remote monitoring, mobile patrols, keyholding), while event security, fire watch, technical installation and affiliated cleaning/concierge services supplement revenue. GTM is direct enterprise field sales with free security risk assessments, dedicated account management, and dedicated contract mobilisation handling TUPE transfers. Notable customers include Grant Thornton, TUC, Knight Frank, Savills, Workman, Royal College of Nursing, Intesa Sanpaolo, Boston University, Wimbledon, The O2, and Francis Crick Institute. The company is SIA Approved Contractor, holds ISO 9001/14001/27001/45001 plus multiple British Standards codes of practice, is a Living Wage Recognised Service Provider, holds an Executive Committee seat on the London City Security Council, and operates with the "world's first" net zero staff pension scheme under a published Net Zero by 2035 target.

Ownership is private and independent (no disclosed parent, institutional investor, or funding rounds) under Managing Director James Blake Baldwin, Operations & HR Director Stuart Kedward, Finance Director Quoc Pham, and Business Development Director James MacDonald. AI/ML capability is limited to GPS/checkpoint rule-based monitoring (Verifi); there is no disclosed proprietary AI model, research output, or AI-focused senior hire. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Universal Security firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Universal Security
Legal name: Universal Security
Website: https://universal-security.co.uk
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1994
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 251–500 employees
Short description: Universal Security is a UK private security services provider, founded 1994 in London, delivering integrated manned guarding, mobile patrols, 24/7 remote monitoring, keyholding, event security, and technical installation to enterprise clients across all four UK nations.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Universal Security industry classification

Industry

Product category: Private Security Services
NAICS: Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Security Systems Services (56162)
SIC: Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
akta.pro industry: PRIMARYBPABAMAA
Manned Guarding & Site Security (Static Guards)
Business & Public Services/Facilities Management & Building Services/Security Management Services
SECONDARYBPAKAAAF
Commercial Property Guarding (Offices, Retail Parks, Malls)
Business & Public Services/Security & Investigations Services/Manned Guarding & Patrol Services
SECONDARYTHAHALAE
Executive Protection & VIP Close Protection
Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Event Staffing, Security & Onsite Operations Services
SECONDARYHSACAMAF
Private Security & Close Protection (VIP)
Home & Personal Services/Event & Personal Concierge Services/VIP, Red Carpet & Special Access Services
SECONDARYEDAEALAI
Security Operations & Monitoring (Guarding, CCTV/Access Control Ops)
Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Outsourced Operations & Managed Services for Education (BPO/Contracted Support)

Keywords

Manned security guarding
Mobile patrol services
CCTV remote monitoring
Keyholding alarm response
Event security services

Where Universal Security is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: London
HQ country: United Kingdom
HQ region: Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

Universal Security business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

Security Guarding Services: Manned guarding services providing security officers for premises protection, access control, and incident response. Delivered through dedicated, highly skilled security professionals deployed across client sites nationally.
Remote Monitoring Services: 24/7 real-time surveillance through control room operations, CCTV monitoring, and coordinated response services including police liaison.
Mobile Patrol Services: Mobile security officers providing external and internal patrols with GPS-tracked vehicles, environmental monitoring, and rapid response capabilities.
Event Security Services: Event security ranging from single door supervisors to full teams of highly trained event security officers for events of any scale, duration, or risk level.
Technical Installation Services: Design, installation, service, maintenance and upgrading of security systems including CCTV, access control, ANPR, intruder alarms, and integrated security solutions.
Keyholding Services: Secure key storage in control room safes with coordinated response to alarms and suspicious activity, working in tandem with CCTV monitoring and mobile patrols.
Fire Watch Services: Fire hazard protection through IT-managed monitoring and trained officers maintaining watch on premises without automatic fire systems.
Affiliated Services: Commercial cleaning and concierge/reception services through partner companies European Cleaning Services and Reception Only.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Other	Multi-year contract	Customized security packages tailored to client requirements

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Universal Security product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Universal Security provides manned guarding, static and mobile patrols, 24/7 CCTV remote monitoring, event security, keyholding with alarm response, fire watch, and technical installation of integrated security systems (CCTV, ANPR, access control, intruder alarms) to corporate clients across the UK. Services are delivered by employed security officers and supported by IT management platforms including Verifi (patrol verification with GPS), MyTAG, Timegate, and Clientshare for workforce tracking, real-time reporting, and client visibility. Affiliated commercial cleaning and concierge services are offered through partner companies European Cleaning Services and Reception Only.

Product overview

Universal Security is a private security company offering a portfolio of integrated security services rather than a single software product. The core offering consists of manned guarding services (Security Officers), static and mobile patrol services, 24/7 Remote Monitoring with CCTV surveillance, Event Security, Keyholding with CyberLock electronic access control, Fire Watch, and Technical Installation of security systems (CCTV, ANPR, access control, intruder alarms). Services are supported by affiliated offerings including European Cleaning Services and Reception Only concierge services. The company utilises IT management systems including Verifi (patrol verification with GPS tracking), MyTAG, Timegate, and Clientshare for service delivery management. A Learning Management System (LMS) hosts technical and behavioural training modules for staff development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Security Officers (Manned Guarding)

Companies that use Universal Security

Customer profile

Named customers27 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Universal Security technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability1 record

Feature9 records

Universal Security partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

City of London PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Operations Director Stuart Kedward attended terrorism and protest update briefing with City of London Police. Partnership prioritizes engagement with local community teams on neighbourhood policing strategy.
PLANTS + PERKSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022New sustainable, healthy employee benefits portal. A benefits platform that rewards sustainable choices with planet friendly perks. Launch included free BOL foods weekly for employees at local Tesco stores.
VerificoreTechnology or IntegrationVerifi is an IT management system used for checkpoint verification and GPS tracking of mobile patrols, allowing clients to follow up on patrols in real-time and track officer location, arrival times, and exit times.
MyTAGcoreTechnology or IntegrationMyTAG is an IT management system used alongside Verifi for security patrol verification and tracking, providing comprehensive patrol management capability.
TimegatecoreTechnology or IntegrationTimegate is an IT management system used for time and attendance management, enabling workforce tracking and management information for clients.
ClientsharecoreTechnology or IntegrationClientshare is a client portal providing management reporting and service delivery visibility, enabling comprehensive system of management recording and reporting.
European Cleaning ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialists in commercial cleaning services, among the City of London's most appreciated and successful contract cleaning companies. Offered as an affiliated service to Universal Security clients.
Reception OnlyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExperts in managing guest/concierge services, a London leading provider in premium reception, front-of-house and concierge services. Offered as an affiliated service to Universal Security clients.
BOL foodsminorOthersSustainable food partner providing free weekly food rewards to Universal Security employees through the PLANTS + PERKS platform launch.
City of London PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong relationships with City of London and Metropolitan police forces providing access to accurate intelligence on criminal activity in service areas. Operations Director serves on prominent committees including the City Security Council.
Metropolitan PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong relationships with Metropolitan Police providing access to accurate intelligence on criminal activity in service areas.
London City Security CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversal Security holds a place on the London City Security Council Executive Committee, providing strategic access to industry intelligence and collaborative security initiatives.
Living Wage FoundationminorOthersProud to be a Living Wage Employer, paying the real Living Wage to all staff. Partner provides research and advocacy on minority ethnic pay gap issues.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Universal Security competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Universal Security compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance14 records

Universal Security financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Universal Security leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Universal Security funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Universal Security M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Universal Security

What does Universal Security do?

Is Universal Security a public or private company?

Universal Security is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.

When was Universal Security founded?

Universal Security was founded in 1994. It employs 251 to 500 people.

Where is Universal Security based?

Universal Security is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.

How does Universal Security make money?

Eight revenue lines are on record. Security Guarding Services are the primary driver. The others are remote Monitoring Services, mobile Patrol Services, event Security Services, technical Installation Services, keyholding Services, fire Watch Services and affiliated Services.

Does Universal Security have an API?

No public API is recorded for Universal Security.

What industry is Universal Security in?

Universal Security's product category is Private Security Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPABAMAA, Manned Guarding & Site Security (Static Guards), with a secondary code of BPAKAAAF, Commercial Property Guarding (Offices, Retail Parks, Malls). Its NAICS code is 561612 and its SIC code is 7381.