Security firm cracks the Net Zero code

Code 9 Security has one simple mission: ‘Protecting What Matters’. While this does mean their clients’ people, property and reputation, it also means the environments and communities in which they operate.

Tony Knight said: “I have built many solid relationships with clients within the Southampton business community and beyond and it is very much ‘business as usual’. This move allows me to get on with the part of the job I love the most, which is dealing with clients, renewals, sorting claims and finding the best insurance for my clients’ needs.

“I enjoy what I do and feel a strong sense of duty to my clients – but this gives me a ready-made succession plan and a team which takes away some of the noise that can inevitably distract from doing the day job. We had considered a number of potential suitors and felt JMG was best aligned with our own ethos. I’m really excited for the future.”

Nick Houghton, JMG Group MD, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Tony and his business to the Group and to extend our foothold in the South of England. Tony is a supremely competent insurance broker. He now has the added benefit of support to allow him to win and retain customers whilst maintaining the personality of the business and we gain the benefits of his experience.”

The acquisition further strengthens JMG Group’s foothold in the South of England following its recent acquisition of Wokingham-based BJP Insurance Brokers and also establishing the new JM Glendinning Community Risk Solutions out of offices in Fareham.

Daniel Gormley, CEO of Code 9, said: “In 2020, we joined many other organisations to declare a climate emergency. In doing so, we were not simply trying to follow a trend but critically evaluated our operation. The first step was to measure our carbon emissions and broader environmental impact. Then to identify reasonable ways to reduce emissions, reduce waste, improve recycling, and achieve more sustainable practices.

“As you would expect, most of our emissions came from our patrol and response assets. So we set out on a transformation plan, substituting the larger performance vehicles for smaller, lightweight and frugal vehicles while being conscious of ergonomics for our security officers. Today, we are exploring using electric and hybrid vehicles and installing rapid charging infrastructure at our logistics and operational hubs in Basingstoke, Salisbury and Southampton.

“We started by finding ways to reduce the waste we produced by digitising processes, removing plastic wherever possible and promoting the same through our supply chain.

“Finding ways of reusing and repurposing waste was next on the list. We delivered this by working with strategic partners who assisted us in identifying quite a few ways of reducing waste to landfills and incineration. At the same time, we carefully reviewed our supply chain and only continued working with organisations that shared our environmental values and adopted recognised sustainable practices.

“Having reduced our carbon emissions and adopted more sustainable practices, we needed to ensure a transparent way of reporting on our progress, and this is why we partnered with Ecologi. Ecologi help us deliver our carbon offset programme and tree planting work in the UK and globally in places of need. Using the Ecologi dashboard helps us keep our stakeholders informed on our progress while promoting engagement with other businesses who share our vision.

“We can now celebrate with great pride that Code 9 Security has achieved Net Zero and has gone further to ensure the business is climate positive.”