History

G4S has a history dating back to 1957 in South Africa and even further internationally.

1901–1950
Our foundation in Denmark, our national growth, our first moves into overseas territories and the emergence of Securitas International…
1901
 Marius Hogrefe starts the guarding company Kjøbenhavn Frederiksberg Nattevagt in Denmark.
1906
 Sophus Falck establishes Redningskorpset, an independent fire and rescue service.
1908
 Redningskorpset establishes the first automobile ambulance in Scandinavia.
1930
 Falck becomes a nationwide operator in Denmark.
1934
 The Philip-Sørensen family establishes Securitas AB in Sweden.
1935
 Night Watch Services (later Night Guards) starts up with four guards on bicycles.
1950
 The Philip-Sørensen family businesses are consolidated as Securitas International.

1951–1989
The emergence of Securicor and Group 4, changes in the role of the Philip-Sørensen family, and a partnership with British Telecom…
1951
 Night Guards becomes Securicor.
1960
 Securicor become a nationwide operator in the UK and expands into Africa and Asia.
1963
 Falck buys Zonen Redningskorps, an independent fire and rescue service in Denmark.
1965
 Securicor launches the Data Transit Service, a fleet of vans moving customers’ confidential payroll and banking details from central locations to regional offices.
 Jørgen Philip-Sørensen is appointed managing director of his family’s UK businesses.
1968
 The Philip-Sørensen group of companies becomes Group 4 (Total Security).
1971
 Securicor Group Limited and Security Services Limited are listed on the London Stock Exchange.
1981
 Jørgen Philip-Sørensen takes responsibility for Group 4’s European activities, while his brother Sven Philip-Sørensen takes over Securitas AB in Sweden.
 Securicor Chairman Peter Smith is awarded the OBE for services to the security industry.
 Securicor and British Telecommunications plc form the Cellnet cellular network.
1988
 Falck is acquired by Baltica, a Danish insurance company; Lars Nørby Johansen is appointed Managing Director.

1990–1999
Falck becomes a listed company, Securicor becomes a plc and operations spread across Europe – and beyond…
1990
 Group 4 provides security services to government and private organisations in Hungary.
 Securicor establishes its Custodial Services operations.
1991
 Baltica sells 55% of its shares in Falck.
 Group 4 acquires businesses in Belgium and Turkey.
 Group 4 begins managing the first privatised prison in the UK, at Wolds in Humberside.
1993
 Falck acquires the security business of ISS Securitas, to become Falck Securitas.
 Group 4 acquires businesses in Austria and Canada.
 Securicor Custodial Services wins the contract to run the London Metropolitan Court Escort and Custody services.
1994
 Group 4 establishes operations in the United Arab Emirates and the Ukraine.
 All activities in Spain are sold to Securitas AB.
1995
 Falck is listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.
1996
 Group 4 begins a joint venture with British Gas to provide meter-reading services in the UK, and establishes AccuRead.
 Falck acquires businesses in Sweden and Norway.
 Securicor becomes a single plc.
1997
 Securicor enters the US corrections market.
 Securicor acquires the first Private Finance Initiative prison in the UK.
1998
 Securicor forms a joint venture with Deutsche Post, the German post office.
 Falck acquires businesses in Germany, Poland and Estonia.
 Group 4 starts activities in Bangladesh.
1999
 Falck acquires security businesses in the Netherlands and Lithuania.
 Securicor sells its stake in Cellnet to British Telecommunications plc.

2000–2005
Continued mergers and acquisitions, Group 4 Falck is established and then Group 4 Securicor, the world’s second largest security provider...
 Group 4 and Falck merge to become Group 4 Falck.
 Group 4 Falck acquires security businesses in Germany, Austria, Finland, the Czech Republic, Norway and Hungary.
 Securicor acquires businesses in Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and the US.
2001
 Group 4 Falck acquires businesses in France and South Africa.
2002
 Group 4 Falck enters the US security market by acquiring The Wackenhut Corporation, the second largest security services company in the US.
 Nick Buckles becomes Chief Executive of Securicor.
2003
 Securicor sells its distribution business to Deutsche Post.
 Group 4 Falck sells its shares in Wackenhut Correction Corporation and Wackenhut Resources Inc.
2004
 Group 4 Falck’s security business merges with Securicor to create Group 4 Securicor in July 2004, and begins trading on the London Stock Exchange.
 Group 4 Technology acquires a Danish intruder alarm business.
 Group 4 Securicor’s UK Justice Services business wins three electronic monitoring contracts in England and Wales.
 Group 4 Falck sells Global Solutions and lists its safety business (Falck A/S) on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.
2005
 Securicor Canada acquires Universal ATM Services.
 Group 4 Securicor is officially launched in May 2005.
 Lars Nørby Johansen is succeeded as Chief Executive by Nick Buckles.

2006–present
G4S becomes a global identity, makes yet more acquisitions and even sets its sights on Olympic gold…
2006
 The G4S brand identity is rolled out worldwide.
 Wackenhut Services, Inc. wins a key fire protection and emergency response contract with NASA.
 G4S wins Human Resources Excellence award for “Best Executive Development Programme”.
 G4S acquires a 50% share in a guarding, alarms and cash services business in Mozambique.
 Alf Duch-Pedersen succeeds Jorgen Philip-Sorensen, becoming Non Executive Chairman.
 G4S announces sponsorship of Skandia Team GBR, backing Britain’s Olympic sailing bid in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
2007
 G4S enters the FTSE 100 index of leading companies on the London Stock Exchange.
 G4S makes acquisitions in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Mozambique.
 G4S begins providing electronic monitoring equipment and services in New Zealand.
 G4S 4teen, an innovative global sports development programme, is launched.
2008
 G4S acquires GSL, a leading provider of critical primary and support services and outsourced justice services.
 G4S is selected as a support contractor for the US Department of Energy.
 G4S acquires Armorgroup, a leading provider of defensive and protective services to national governments and international peace and security agencies.
 G4S acquires RONCO Consulting Corporation, one of the world's premier humanitarian and commercial mine action, ordinance disposal and security companies.
 A landmark agreement reached with UNI, the global union federation, on an Ethical Employment Partnership, driving improvements in employment standards across the security industry.
2009
 G4S acquires All Star
 G4S acquires Adesta
 G4S acquires Hill
2010
 G4S launches new website