PERSONALITY PROFILE

In conversation with… Stuart Wragg and Sue de Wet

Veterans of South Africa’s security industry and long-time associates, Stuart Wragg and Sue de Wet have a lot in common, including a new business relationship following the launch of Quantum Security. Stuart’s brainchild, Quantum Security opened its doors on 1 March in the Western Cape this year, with Sue’s company, Sparks & Ellis, as its chosen uniform supplier.

Why a new security company?

Stuart: “My vision was to create a company that would be both competitive and relevant in this fast-evolving industry by taking full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution. And that’s exactly what Quantum Security is all about. We offer a finely tuned, fully digitised security guarding service for corporate offices, business parks, prime residential properties and the industrial sector using cutting-edge technology to provide highly effective digital solutions that expedite response times, provide accurate reporting and give our security officers all the tools they need to operate at optimum levels. Our technology also allows us to collate and analyse data, which is a critical component of predictive security, and to deploy our resources effectively.”

“Another key differential is that our senior management is involved on the ground, so they understand all the issues first-hand. Also, right from the beginning, I resolved to put people before profit, and to create a sustainable business that offered people a career and not just a job. For me, it’s essential to provide upskilling and mentoring programmes for our guards to give them a sense of belonging, purpose and total professionalism. And, of course, the uniform they wear should reflect this, which is where Sparks & Ellis comes in!”

“As well as kitting our guards out with smart devices that allow them to track and record vital security information, we’ve worked with Sparks & Ellis to create a uniform designed to promote confidence and pride. It features the unique red leg stripe detail that mirrors what my partners and I introduced when we co-founded Orbis in 2005 – and which was copied by a number of other security companies! I’m bringing this feature back as a mark of distinction and of the premium service we are providing – and our guards are very excited.”

What does your typical day look like?

“As MD and founder, my workday is filled with everything from marketing and brand awareness to engaging with existing and potential clients, drawing up and submitting proposals, liaising with service providers and ensuring that all compliance and regulatory requirements are in place and up to date. I also handle staffing and finances.”

“Of the challenges, one of the biggest faced by any start-up is convincing clients to change service providers. We’re overcoming this thanks to our many sound, long-term relationships with customers who share the same values, and a winning digital marketing strategy that’s focused on brand awareness and cost-saving. Our service offering includes hands-on senior management and a client-centric approach that is tailored to suit individual requirements, environments and budgets, and is fully legally compliant.”

“Covid-19 is another challenge, not only for us but the industry as a whole and indeed the world. It has made it a lot more difficult to forecast sales, for one thing. And then there’s the age-old challenge of pricing: some clients, especially now, want lower prices but not cheaper quality products. We’re dealing with these challenges by thinking out of the box and creating new and more cost-effective product ranges while being true to our principles of quality and integrity. We’re very focused on the needs of the customer at all times.”

The early years

“I spent a long time in a corporate environment where the focus was mainly on the bottom line. This gave rise to my idea of creating a business that would be more people-focused – a boutique security solutions company that offers an efficient and cost-effective service to clients who share the same values on the one hand, and which also offers a professional but family-orientated environment where employees feel valued and may be excited about personal growth on the other. I believe firmly in the “people before profit” principle, from a moral standpoint as well as it being key to running a sustainable business. In the security industry, the people are the business – they are far more than the faces and words on any marketing brochure.”

“After completing my schooling in northern KwaZulu-Natal, I joined the South African Marines, which were based in Simons Town. Six years later, I left as an officer and entered the corporate world. My first job was with Spence Mouton and Associates as an investigations manager. Four years down the line, I joined Gray Security, which was then sold to Securicor, and went on to merge with Group 4 Falck to become G4S. I was there for ten years before leaving to become one of the founding members of Orbis Security Solutions and an operations director. We sold our equity to Securitas SA, where I remained as vice president of the Eastern and Western Cape, before deciding to take a leap of faith and start up Quantum (Pty) Ltd.

“My vision was to create a company that would be both competitive and relevant in this fast-evolving industry by taking full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution.”

Why Sparks & Ellis?

“I chose Sparks and Ellis because of a long-standing relationship where I have always experienced excellent and personalised service. It provides made-toorder, quality uniforms which represent the company brand displayed by employees on a daily basis. Sparks & Ellis shares the same values as Quantum, with their senior management team involved on all levels.”

The people who have influenced and mentored you along the way?

“There have been several. Commander Daan van Niekerk who was my Officer Commanding in the Marines, Spence Mouton, John Hitchcock, MD of Gray Security, John Tunstell, executive risk manager at UCT and Angus Buchan of the Mighty Men Ministries.”

Your goals?

“My goals are to essentially bring people into Quantum who share the same values; to develop a young and vibrant management team who may take over the reins while I eventually step back to focus on relationships in the business, offering expertise and experience where needed, and to spend more time on my passion for developing youth within business.”

Sue: in brief

Sue’s career path is both exceptional and pretty unique – she’s only ever worked for one company namely the Cape Union Mart Group and Mthucebi (Pty) Ltd. It owns Sparks & Ellis, a Level 1 BBEEE company, and K-Way, the manufacturing arm, and has branches in all of the country’s major centres.

Sue began in sales, progressed to administration, then to tender specialist and now she heads up Sparks & Ellis. Of her mentors, Philip Krawitz, chairman of Cape Union Mart, tops her list. “He always encouraged everyone to continue striving to be the best that we could be,” she says.

And her goals?

“I want to continue growing the Sparks & Ellis brand, which has long been one of South Africa’s leading uniform suppliers and manufacturers. This encompasses developing technologically advanced products and equipment for the security, traffic, fire and rescue, ambulance, law enforcement, and corporate sectors. It’s hugely exciting!”