Mark Bridges, CEO of Ranger Fire & Security, discusses how industry collaboration can drive growth, improve service delivery and help businesses better protect against risk
The recent storms in the UK are a timely reminder of the destructive power of nature, having caused fires, floods, and power outages for thousands of people around the country.
Across the pond, the fires in LA tell a similar story; even in a city of its size and with some of the world’s wealthiest communities, the spread can be almost impossible to quell. What sparked those fires continues to be debated, from a felled powerline to the embers of smaller fires being carried miles by wind.
We may never know for sure, and while we can never fully guard against all eventualities, taking the right steps to prepare for as many scenarios as possible is critical. Recent figures from the Home Office, reported on by IFSJ, show that fire and rescue incidents continued to increase in the UK. In the year ending September 2024, nearly 600,000 incidents were attended by fire and rescue services – an 18% increase over the last 10 years.
The figures highlight the ongoing challenges and risks posed to individuals, communities, and businesses, and why prevention is the best medicine.
However, the 25% increase in false alarms in the last 10 years is worth noting, as it underscores how poor or faulty equipment can also be disruptive to business operations.
Mark Bridges
The UK has a robust fire and security (F&S) sector, made up of highly-skilled businesses that provide their customers with the services they need to guard against fire and other major risks. Yet, the highly regulated and ever-changing nature of the sector has made it hard for many of these businesses to grow. Instead, many focus on providing high-quality services in a small number of postcode areas.
The knock-on effect is that companies looking to procure F&S services often have to contract with multiple businesses, meaning many operating in the sector are struggling or unwilling to take the step to further expansion, while companies contracting with them often have to manage multiple agreements, which is complex and inefficient.
If we were able to overcome these challenges, more F&S businesses would be able to increase their services, and better meet the needs of the companies they are working for. In this sense, everyone benefits from better, more extensive services that guard against loss from fire, security breaches, and other risks.
This is why we wanted to create a new way to help F&S businesses grow, share knowledge and business opportunities, and better service the F&S needs of their customers.
Mark Bridges
A year ago this month, along with a small group of close colleagues and backed by Hyperion Equity Partners, we launched Ranger Fire and Security. Rather than create a new business from scratch, we decided to bring together some of the UK’s most high-performing F&S companies to share expertise and cross-selling opportunities.
In just one year, we’ve welcomed on board a range of high-performing businesses based across the UK and Ireland, taking the Group from literally £0 in earnings to one of the top ten largest F&S businesses by revenues in December, with double digit percentage organic growth and cross-selling opportunities between our Ranger Group businesses.
This keen focus on collaboration and resource sharing is helping tackle these barriers to growth and service expansion, while creating a platform that is national in scope and moving into new markets. As I look back on the year, I couldn’t have imagined that we’d grow from just a handful of people to a headcount of nearing 200 F&S professionals.
By ensuring businesses within the group keep operating under the same management and company name as ‘local heroes’, we’re capitalising on existing reputations for excellence, while pooling resources, intelligence, and opportunities to the benefit of everyone.
Mark Bridges
Collaboration like this will be crucial to ensuring the sector continues to grow and meet demand, especially as the risk of fire and rescue incidents persist. The floods, fires, and power cuts due to recent storms are a powerful reminder of why we need to take every precaution we can to avoid catastrophe.
The F&S sector has a more important role to play than ever before in helping other businesses adequately guard against risk, whether natural or manmade.
There are many challenges that lie ahead, but also just as many opportunities. When we come together to collaborate and share knowledge, resources, and expertise, not only can we better service the businesses that rely on us, but we can also overcome the challenges that have stifled growth for so many for too long.
This article was originally published in the April 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.