First Response Group Announces Appointment Of New Chief Operating Officer And Director Of Human Resources

First Response Group (FRG), a security, risk, and facilities management specialist business, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of two new positions; Mark Mansfield joins the company as a Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Sheila Sloan as the Director of Human Resources.

The Leeds-headquartered firm, which employs more than 1,200 people is forecasting revenue of more than £60 million in 2023 continuing a long run of year-on-year growth. Furthermore, it is firmly established as the rising star of the security industry after winning the coveted Security Guarding Company of the Year Over £30 million Turnover award at the 2022 Security & Fire Excellence Awards in November.

Mark Mansfield

Mark Mansfield brings to FRG his vast knowledge of operational strategy and leadership, honed across the waste industry in both private and public sectors, most recently at AWM Ltd, to the new COO role.

He will lead the company’s business operations, focusing on developing management practices and introducing changes that will utilize the latest technology and methods to improve efficiencies and transform the customer experience.

Sheila Sloan

Sheila Sloan joins from Stanley Black and Decker and takes strategic HR lead to champion the value of people

With more than 20 years of experience in B2B manufacturing and security, Sheila Sloan joins FRG from Stanley Black and Decker and takes strategic HR lead as director of human resources to champion the value of people across the business and develop a robust approach that keeps pace with FRG’s rapid expansion. 

Her new role will encompass all aspects of HR including employee relations, reward and recognition, employee engagement, and recruitment and retention.

operational excellence

Both roles will report to FRG’s CEO, Simon Alderson. Commenting on the appointment, he said, “As we continue to evolve the FRG business to meet the demands of our current position and our future ambition to exceed £100m turnover in the next few years, operational excellence coupled with customer and employee happiness is the backbone of our growth strategy."

performance

Simon Alderson adds, “Mark and Sheila are both accomplished and experienced leaders, and I am delighted they are joining Team FRG to share their skills, knowledge, and commitment to building a highly effective, diverse, and inclusive team."

He continues, "Their appointments will ensure we continue to leverage the extraordinary success FRG has experienced, adapt to changing environments and deliver on performance while having a positive impact on the clients and communities we serve.”

Mark's comment 

Together we will build on the recent extraordinary growth to position FRG for further success in the years to come"

Commenting on his new position, Mark Mansfield said, “I am thrilled to be joining FRG at such an exciting stage in the company’s development. I look forward to working with the entire FRG team to support and stretch my colleagues across all levels, creating a pipeline of future leaders."

He adds, "Together we will build on the recent extraordinary growth to position FRG for further success in the years to come.”

Sheila's comment 

Commenting on her new position, Sheila Sloan said, “I am passionate about growing talent and supporting teams to reach their full potential."

She adds, "The opportunity to work with a business that shares the same people-focused values and to develop an HR strategy that helps achieve the wider business objectives, while making a real difference to colleagues is an exciting position to be in and I can’t wait to get started.”

employee diversity and inclusivity

In 2022 FRG was named the first security company in the UK to receive Inclusive Employers Standard accreditation for its dedication to employee diversity and inclusivity.

In 2021 FRG has crowned Living Wage Foundation Recognised Service Provider Champion at the Living Wage Foundation Champion Awards for its ongoing commitment to improving rates of pay across the security and service industries.