Our history
2020 -
2020 - The sale of the majority of G4S's conventional Cash Solutions businesses to The Brink's Company was completed. The G4S Academy is launched, establishing one place to share G4S's global expertise. G4S launches COVID-19 business continuity plans and employee protective measures to deliver safe and reliable services to our customers. G4S secures a 10-year contract to run new UK prison, HMP Five Wells. G4S launches the 2020 G4S Supplier Code of Conduct and Inclusion Council. Later in the year, G4S board unanimously recommends offer from Allied Universal to buy G4S.
2021 - G4S is delisted from London Stock Exchange as Allied Universal completes the acquisition of G4S.
2022 - Allied Universal acquires Attenti Group, one of the world’s leading electronic monitoring companies. It also acquires Century Event Security & Staffing which provides security and events services in Las Vegas and Orlando - two of the top exhibition industry cities in the U.S. G4S Secure Solutions UK acquires T.S.S (Total Security Solutions), a major UK provider of security services in the retail sector. The company also wins a four-year contract to provide security services for the London Legacy Development Corporation, which manages Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. G4S Care and Rehabilitation Services wins a ten-year contract to continue operating HMP Parc in Bridgend, South Wales.
2000 - 2019
2000 - Group 4 and Falck merge to become Group 4 Falck.
In early 2000s, Group 4 Falck acquires security businesses in Germany, Austria, Finland, the Czech Republic, Norway and Hungary, France and South Africa. The company enters the US security market by acquiring The Wackenhut Corporation, the second largest security services company in the US and acquires a Danish intruder alarm business.
Securicor acquires businesses in Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and the US.
2002 - Nick Buckles becomes CEO of Securicor.
2004 - Securicor merges with Group 4 Falck's security businesses to form Group 4 Securicor (G4S) and begins trading on the London and Copenhagen Stock Exchange.
2005 - Lars Nørby Johansen is succeeded as CEO by Nick Buckles.
2006 - Wackenhut wins a key fire protection and emergency response contract with NASA. G4S announces sponsorship of Skandia Team GBR, backing Britain’s Olympic sailing bid in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
2007 - G4S 4teen, an innovative global sports development programme, is launched.
In 2007 - 2008, G4S makes acquisitions in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Mozambique and begins providing electronic monitoring equipment and services in New Zealand. In 2008, G4S acquires RONCO Consulting Corporation, one of the world's premier humanitarian and commercial mine action, ordinance disposal and security companies, a support and justice service provider GSL, and Armorgroup, a leading provider of defensive and protective services to national governments and international peace and security agencies.
2008 - A landmark agreement is reached with UNI, the global union federation, on an Ethical Employment Partnership, driving improvements in employment standards across the security industry.
G4S is selected as a support contractor for the US Department of Energy
2009 - G4S acquires Secura Monde International Limited and Shiremoor International Engineering Limited, the UK’s leading specialist banknote and high security technical and commercial advisory companies. Same year in the US, G4S acquires All Star International, a facilities management company that provided services to the US Government and Adesta, US-based provider of integrated security systems. In Asia, G4S acquires Hill & Associates Consultants Limited, Asia’s leading provider of specialist risk mitigation consulting services.
In 2010 - 2011, G4S acquires Munt Centrale in the Netherlands, Plantech and Instalarme in Brazil, Skycom in Africa and The Cotswold Group, an intelligence and investigation company in the UK.
2011 - G4S is awarded two prison contracts and three work programme regions in the UK.
2012 - G4S appoints John Connolly as new chairman. The acquisitions continue when G4S acquires Deposita, South Africa’s leading provider of retail cash solutions technology, and Chubb Emergency Response that provides key holding and response services in the UK.
2013 - G4S launches its landmark human rights policy. Ashley Almanza succeeds Nick Buckles as Group CEO.
2016 - G4S secures a renewed 20-year deal to manage Port Phillip Prison in Victoria, Australia, and becomes the first private security company to secure the UK's Royal Mint.
2017 - G4S joins FTSE4GOOD index in recognition its strong commitment to CSR. G4S is selected to secure Hinkley Point C, the first nuclear power station built in the UK in a generation. In Africa, G4S is awarded Top Employer in 13 countries.
2018 - A new organisational structure creates a Global Cash Division and consolidates Secure Solutions businesses into four regions: Americas, Europe & Middle East, Africa and Asia. The G4S World Cash Report 2018 is published.
2019 - G4S board approves separation of Cash Solutions from the Group. G4S Risk Management is granted membership of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) which promotes responsible private security. Cash Solutions in the Netherlands acquires SecurCash.
1980 - 1999
1988 - Falck is acquired by Baltica, a Danish insurance company. Jørgen Philip-Sørensen takes responsibility for Group 4’s European activities. Securicor Chairman Peter Smith is awarded the OBE for services to the security industry.
1990 - Securicor establishes its Custodial Services operations.
1991 - 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.
1995 - Falck is listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.
1997 - Securicor acquires the first Private Finance Initiative prison in the UK.
In the 1990s, Falck acquires security businesses in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Germany, Poland and Estonia.
Group 4 acquires businesses in Austria, Belgium, Canada and Turkey, establishes operations in the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine, starts activities in Bangladesh and provides security services to governments and private organisations in Hungary.
1950 - 1979
1950 - Philip-Sørensen family businesses are consolidated as Securitas International.
1951 - Night Guards becomes Securicor.
1963 - Falck buys Zonen Redningskorps, an independent fire and rescue service in Denmark.
1965 - 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.
1901 - 1949
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.