An award-winning security firm based in Swindon which helped staff Covid-19 vaccination centres has appointed a new CEO and managing director after its turnover soared over £100 million.

David Stubbs takes on the newly-created position of CEO of both SSGC and a new off-shoot firm called WLTS which delivers temporary labour and recruitment services to businesses.

The company has promoted Demelza Staples to managing director of SSGC from her previous role as its operations director.

The business has grown from a £1.5 million annual turnover in 2014 to more than £100 million today.

Last year, the Armed Forces Covenant signatory deployed more than 4,000 staff to marshal coronavirus testing centres across the UK, many of whom were military veterans.

It has since expanded to providing lateral flow testing support for schools across the UK and launched WLTS, which has already secured a £40 million contract to provide personnel to Comensura, a market leader in managing supplies of temporary, permanent and contract labour.

Mr Stubbs is a former military policeman and was a key driver in the management buy-out of SSGC in 2014, while Demelza is an experienced retail professional specialising in risk, security, loss prevention, operations and HR.

Mr Stubbs said: “I’m delighted to have guided the business to its current position. The creation of the CEO role is another sign of the continuing ambition of the business as we look to build a winning senior team which will create positive change within the security sector.

“It’s critical to its ongoing success that SSGC mirrors the country by forging ahead into a post-pandemic world, building a solution which is fit for the new way of conducting business.

“I am heartened the sizeable contract wins over the last couple of months are a sign we’ve got things right. It is especially pleasing our social value activity is valued by the larger, more evolved corporates and we will continue to invest in a better living standard for all of our staff and the wider communities.

“There are many brands emerging from the growth of SSGC as we keep our focus on specialisation and meaningful innovation, and I am excited by the challenges and opportunities the future holds.

“I would like to congratulate Demelza, who has made a huge positive impact on our COVID-19 testing solution. I am certain she will prove to be an exceptional leader.”

Ms Staples added: “It’s amazing to have been involved at a senior level in this business’s meteoric rise to the top.

"Very few of us experience 1,500 per cent year on year growth and while the last year has been challenging, it has been the most rewarding of my life.

“I am pleased the board has further invested in me in awarding me the managing director’s post as I strongly believe this is the best job available in the industry today.

“Probably the most exciting part for me is the fact SSGC has already continued with its winning ways. There are a number of large positive announcements to make at the start of my MD journey – watch this space.

“Through our commitment to the veteran community and continued professional development of all our employees, we have built a highly-skilled team to support our growth programme.

"I am thrilled to be taking on the MD role and thank the owners of the business for offering me this fantastic opportunity.”