Black Diamond secures investment to aid growth

A Doncaster business specialising in technology-led security is set to build further on its commitment to innovation having secured an investment from Finance Yorkshire.

Black Diamond Security, which operates primarily in the rail and construction sectors, has secured a £60,000 loan from Finance Yorkshire’s Business Loan fund which it will invest in additional fixed and mobile CCTV equipment.

The business was formed in 2010 by Directors Martin Hawley and Ian Raeburn, who used their previous experience in rail and construction to establish a technology-led service which meets the needs of clients in the Infrastructure and Utilities, Industrial and Commercial sectors. They include Network Rail, Keir and Babcock.

The firm was recently selected by VINCI Construction UK to fulfil a six-month contract that involves providing manned guarding and asset protection at Nottingham Train Station’s multi-storey car park.

Director Martin Hawley explained: “Our client is Network Rail and we therefore had to be RISQS approved prior to securing the contract. This is the UK rail industry supplier scheme which provides a common registration, qualification and audit process for suppliers to the industry, and it confirms that we operate to the highest possible standards.”

Black Diamond has developed, in-house, a range of fixed and rapid deployment camera systems, specifically for the rail and construction sectors.

The £60,000 boost from Finance Yorkshire will allow the business to invest in similar high-tech security equipment, the demand for which is currently outstripping supply.

Martin Hawley said: “The demand for high tech security equipment including both fixed and mobile CCTV systems, offering features such as time-lapse photography, has never been higher, and the Business Loan from Finance Yorkshire will play a vital role in helping us meet the demand.”

Finance Yorkshire’s David Ward said: “Black Diamond Security has capitalised very effectively on the previous industry experience of directors Ian and Martin, and in a short space of time has established itself with a raft of major clients. Its focus on technology and the highest industry standards has clearly reaped rewards, and we’re delighted to support them as they continue to grow.”

Black Diamond Security also received investment from Handelsbanken.

To date, Finance Yorkshire’s investments have enabled companies to increase their turnover by £366 million, attract a further £257 million from other private sector sources. And through that activity, Finance Yorkshire investment has helped those SMEs to create and safeguard more than 11,000 jobs in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to meet their funding requirements for growth and development.

The project is supported financially by the European Union. It has attracted investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme, UK Government and the European Investment Bank. Finance Yorkshire is also supported by the Regional Growth Fund.

For more information about Finance Yorkshire, please visit www.finance-yorkshire.com or call 0300 030 6060.

Note: this news article is from Finance Yorkshire’s previous fund. Read more about Finance Yorkshire