Trail Group wins two-year passive fire safety deal

by Featured NewsPassiveProjects

Passive fire safety contract awarded for Home Group homes

Trail Group has been awarded a contract worth around £3m over the next two years to provide passive fire safety services for Home Group across the Southeast and Southwest of England.

Trail Group announced that the contract was awarded through the Pretium Building and Fire Safety Framework for works covering fire door installations and replacements, fire compartmentation and fire stopping.

The company was first appointed as a supply chain partner to Home Group in 2021.

It has since worked on more than 100 properties including residential apartment buildings, street properties and community wellbeing homes in Norfolk, London and the Home Counties, along with locations across the South Coast from Hampshire to Devon and Cornwall.

The first projects under the new contract are due to take place at two residential buildings in Portsmouth.

Those works will cover roof compartmentation and fire door replacements.

Passive fire safety works already completed

Trail Group said recent projects for Home Group included work at Olympic Way in High Wycombe, where fire doors, fire stopping and fire compartmentation were carried out across three apartment buildings.

In the largest building at Olympic Way, all automated smoke vents were also replaced.

At Deck Place in Colchester, all fire doors for two apartment blocks were renewed.

At Court Place in Folkestone, communal doors and entrance doors to more than 50 flats for over-55s were replaced.

Full fire compartmentation was also installed throughout the Folkestone building, including in the loft area.

Jon Crosby, Managing Director of Trail Group, said: “This new contract award builds on our long track record of working as a trusted delivery partner to housing associations and local authorities for fire protection, compliance and maintenance services.

“Our engineers are highly trained in building safety and compliance to deliver each project to consistently high standards, with residents and life safety firmly at the centre of everything we do.”

David Richardson, Maintenance and Contract Manager at Home Group, said: “Trail Group continues to work well for Home Group and complex projects are completed to a high standard.

“How their teams put our customers first is well recognised.

“Their capabilities are strong and staff always professional.

“Any challenges that may arise are dealt with promptly, effectively and with a genuinely positive attitude.

“We definitely want longevity with our supply chain partners and so are pleased to award this latest contract to the business.”

Trail Group also provides active fire protection, building upgrades, security solutions, electrical testing and installations, and planned maintenance for property, estates and facilities managers.

Trail Group appointed to Kensington and Chelsea fire safety framework

by Featured NewsProjectsSafety

Framework covers supply and maintenance of passive fire protection

Trail Group has been awarded a place on The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s new fire safety framework.

According to Trail Group, the contract relates to fire safety across the borough’s social housing portfolio, including multiple occupancy buildings and individual homes.

Trail Group has secured a position in Lot 1 of the framework, which includes the supply, installation, repair and maintenance of fire stopping, fire compartmentation, fire doors and fire safety signage.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea operates more than 7,000 social housing properties.

The new framework will run for four years, with the option to extend for up to an additional two years.

Contractor selection assessed on delivery, safety and resident engagement

The framework is designed to ensure consistent compliance with fire safety legislation across the borough’s housing portfolio.

Trail Group said the appointment follows a competitive selection process in which contractor bids were assessed on the quality of delivery, approach to health and safety, commitment to social value and resident engagement.

Key performance indicators have been built into the framework to allow for audit and review of contractor performance throughout the agreement period.

Trail Group continues public sector housing work

Jon Crosby, Managing Director of Trail Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our expertise and long track record of delivering passive fire safety services have been recognised with our appointment as one of the successful contractors on this important framework agreement.

“It represents a planned investment by the Council in its housing assets.”

He added: “We continue to be a trusted contractor of choice across the public sector for fire safety as well as for building maintenance and construction works.

“We have a client-focused approach and a reputation for consistent service delivery to the highest standards and in compliance with the latest Building Safety regulations.”

Trail Group appointed on multiple fire safety frameworks

Trail Group has been appointed to several national and regional fire safety framework agreements.

These include those operated by South East Consortium, Pretium, CHIC, NHMF and Fusion21.

Trail Group is also part of client-specific frameworks for organisations including Riverside Group, Guinness Partnership and Notting Hill Genesis.

The company’s work in the social housing sector spans passive and active fire protection, electrical testing and installations, refurbishments and minor works.

Trail Group stated its aim is to help social landlords manage risk, comply with changing regulations and improve housing stock.

Trail Group appointed to Kensington and Chelsea fire safety framework: Summary

Trail Group has been awarded a place on The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s fire safety framework.

The framework applies to the borough’s social housing stock.

Trail Group was appointed to Lot 1, covering passive fire safety measures.

The framework runs for four years with an option to extend by up to two more years.

Key assessment criteria included quality of delivery, health and safety, social value and resident engagement.

The Council owns more than 7,000 social housing properties.

Trail Group provides both passive and active fire protection, as well as other housing maintenance services.

The company is also part of other frameworks including South East Consortium, Pretium, CHIC, NHMF, Fusion21, Riverside Group, Guinness Partnership and Notting Hill Genesis.

Trail Group said the appointment reflects the Council’s investment in housing asset safety and its own ongoing work in the public sector.

Leading with vision and precision: Interview with Jon Crosby, Managing Director at Trail Group

by Breaking NewsSafety

Jon Crosby, Managing Director at Trail Group, outlines his plans to expand services and ensure the highest standards of safety and compliance

Trail Group, a multi-solutions provider in the built environment, marked a significant transition in its leadership structure with the appointment of Jon Crosby as its Managing Director.

With an extensive background in the construction sector and a proven track record from tier one contractors, Crosby steps into this role to lead the company through its strategic growth and expanding its service offerings.

In this interview, we delve into how Crosby’s leadership and strategic insights are poised to shape the future of Trail Group, enhancing their commitment to safety and outstanding service provision with fire safety at its core.

Could you start by telling us a bit about your professional journey before joining Trail Group?

I began my career with Wimpey Engineering & Construction, which later became Carillion, through their trainee programme.

This opportunity allowed me to explore various facets of contracting before I decided to specialise in the commercial side of construction, ultimately earning a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying.

After 11 years with Wimpey/Carillion, I transitioned to Mansells, where I spent five years.

I then worked with several other tier-one and regional contractors, including Kier, ISG, and Gallagher Group, in managing QS and senior commercial roles across projects in the education, residential, healthcare, and commercial sectors.

What attracted you to the role of Managing Director at Trail Group?

I joined Trail Group in 2023 as Commercial Director and was appointed Managing Director this year.

After spending 25 years with major construction businesses, I was drawn to Trail Group’s strong family ethos and the opportunity to work within a thriving SME.

The company has significant growth potential and a strong trajectory, which were key factors in my decision to join.

Trail Group already has an established presence and proven track record in both healthcare and residential sectors, working with major private landlords and social housing providers.

Looking ahead, there are clear opportunities for us to expand into new areas such as education (schools and colleges), commercial (particularly offices in central London), retail, and other residential sub-sectors like care homes and student accommodation.

As the legislative environment evolves, all organisations must continuously assess, enhance, and protect their building assets.

We are well positioned to support these needs, particularly when it comes to fire safety.

What are the main objectives in your role as Managing Director?

I lead the strategic development of the business, shaping its vision, direction, and long-term plans for the next five years and beyond.

My responsibilities include overseeing financial reporting and refining our service offerings to meet the needs of both new and existing customers.

Additionally, I am reviewing operational processes, service standards, and risk management strategies to ensure continued growth and excellence.

How do you plan to further Trail Group’s commitment to fire safety in your strategy?

Fire protection remains our largest division, and with last year’s acquisition of Palladium Fire and Safety, we are now able to provide a comprehensive range of both active and passive fire safety services from a single source. This is a strong advantage in our sector.

In addition, we have a dedicated team that handles inspections and risk assessments.

We also offer complementary building services, including electrical contracting and a Construction Division that manages refurbishments, building upgrades, and extensions for projects valued up to £3 million—many of which require fire protection services.

What immediate changes or developments are you planning to implement?

I recently completed a comprehensive review of our systems and procedures to establish a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

This included restructuring the business and creating several dedicated workstreams.

We are investing in a company-wide training programme that includes our fire engineers and technicians, equipping them with the skills to reach their full potential.

We believe strongly in empowering our staff and nurturing talent from within, which is reflected in the way we’ve designed our new workstreams.

Skills shortages continue to be a significant challenge in our industry, particularly in fire safety and the broader construction and FM sectors.

To address this, we are committed to investing in our workforce through proactive training and continuous professional development.

Last year, we opened a Training Academy at our headquarters in Kent.

This facility enables us to upskill our team members, especially as legislation and compliance requirements evolve.

All our installers and engineers undergo a rigorous training programme, and in addition to workshops and seminars, we have in-house facilities to assess their practical skills, such as fire door installation.

How will your approach to leadership impact the company?

Our focus is squarely on our clients, and I strongly believe this approach will drive our sustainable growth.

I will take a more hands-on role in client interactions to strengthen relationships and ensure continuous improvement in everything we do.

As we grow, it’s crucial that we stay agile in order to consistently meet our customers’ needs and deliver the service levels they expect at every stage.

Our staff training programme is key to this strategy.

In the second phase of our Training Academy, we plan to introduce fire prevention workshops for our clients, helping them enhance their knowledge and improve fire protection measures for their buildings and facilities.

How are you enhancing risk management and regulatory compliance in the fire safety sector?

Active fire technology, such as advanced fire alarms and fire suppression systems that move away from gas cylinders, represents a significant growth area for Trail Group.

Similarly, electrical services are essential for certain fire protection systems, like alarms.

Our strategic acquisition of Palladium Fire and Safety has expanded our capabilities in active fire protection, enabling us to offer a broader range of fire safety services from a single source.

This streamlines the compliance process for our clients.

What does sustainable growth mean for you and how you intend to achieve it?

To achieve sustained growth, it’s essential that we carefully align our resources with the right clients.

With this in mind, we’ve developed a clear tendering strategy to ensure that the projects and clients we pursue are aligned with our vision and growth objectives.

Our goal is to build a diverse customer base while fostering long-term, collaborative relationships.

We already have a strong, loyal client base, many of whom have partnered with Trail Group for years.

We remain committed to maintaining this high level of repeat business while offering all our clients a broad range of services to help them maintain their building assets and stay fully compliant with evolving legislation.


Where do you see Trail Group in the next five years under your leadership?

Our goal is to reach £25 million in turnover by 2030, with steady year-on-year growth.

I’m pleased to report that we are on track for a record year in this financial year.

As a market-leading, multi-disciplinary service provider to the built environment, we offer our clients the advantage of a full turnkey service, with fire safety at the core of everything we do.

Our commitment to delivering a personal, unmatched level of service and expertise sets us apart in the industry.

How has the acquisition of Palladium Fire and Safety enhanced Trail Group’s fire safety capabilities?

The acquisition of Palladium Fire and Safety, which primarily operated in the active fire market—handling fire alarms, suppression systems, and sprinklers—allowed us to expand our offerings.

Before the acquisition, Trail Group focused solely on passive fire protection.

Now, we can provide a full range of fire safety services, unifying both active and passive protection under one umbrella, offering our clients a more comprehensive solution.

We were collaborating closely with Palladium on a project here at Chelsea and Westminster when the owner expressed interest in an exit strategy within 12 to 24 months.

He has since committed to staying with the business for another 12 months, during which time we plan to fully integrate Palladium into the Trail Group and further grow our fire safety capabilities.

What is your long-term vision for fire safety within the industry?

Our long-term vision is to become the leading name in fire safety, offering both passive and active fire protection services.

With the Palladium acquisition and our existing expertise, we now have a complete offering for our clients.

Over the next five years, our goal is to double the size of our fire protection division and become the go-to provider for comprehensive fire safety solutions across the industry.

This article was originally published in the September 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.