The Send For Help Group has acquired Bluechip Technologies Ltd (trading as Guardian24). This makes the group the largest lone worker protection provider in Europe, according to the firm. With its subsidiary Skyguard, the Group has a subscriber base totalling 70,000 users across public and private sector vertical markets, the Group says.
Formed in 2010, The Send For Help Group was set up as the investment vehicle of technology entrepreneur Jan Murray, to enable the acquisition of Skyguard Ltd. Murray launched the PC World superstores chain and Internet Technology Group, an ISP. Guardian24’s subscribers will be migrated to Skyguard’s Incident Management Centre in Surrey, for alarm management and emergency response. The purpose-built facility, is manned 24/7 by Skyguard controllers and accredited to industry standards BS 8484 for lone worker protection management, BS 5979 (Category II) and ACPO’s Secured by Design scheme.
The two companies will also share new product development and technical expertise. Send For Help Group’s Chief Executive James Murray says: “This acquisition makes the Group the biggest provider in Europe’s Lone Worker protection industry, by some margin, which provides us with a solid foundation for future expansion and further acquisitions. Through our well established brands, we are industry leaders in the key lone working sectors from the NHS and police with Skyguard, to social housing and charity sectors with Guardian24. This deal allows us to reinforce our leading position at a time when the market is experiencing a period of consolidation and maturation.”
Visit: www.sendforhelp.co.uk.
