Leading Industry Figure Sounds Retirement Alarm Six Decades On Geoff Teader One of the longest standing servants and leading exponents within today’s UK fire, safety, and security sector/industry, has finally called time on a career spanning some six decades. Having spent the last 52 consecutive years dedicated to keeping both people and premises safe and secure, Geoff Teader is relinquishing (officially retiring from) his day-to-day responsibilities at Manchester-based Amalgamated Limited - a company he founded in 1970. He will, however, continue in the capacity of Chairman. Respected and very much admired by his peers within the industry, Geoff established Amalgamated in 1970. During the ensuing six decades, through his vision, hard work, determination and commitment, he has been the architect behind creating a business that today stands as one of the UK’s leading specialists when it comes to the design, supply, servicing installation and maintenance of fire and security systems. Indeed he leaves a legacy that many would argue is difficult to match, certainly when it comes to his chosen field. The Early Years Born in Chiswick, London, and bred in local Brentford, Geoff started his career at the age of 16 upon leaving Gunnersbury Grammar School for boys. What lay before him would be the early steps that would serve to create the solid foundations on which such a prolific and distinguished career has been built. Literally starting on what many would deem was the bottom rung of the ladder, Geoff began working for Marryat & Scott – a specialist lift and escalator company – as part of the then Youth Employment Scheme. Having initially helped manage the contracts department, and following the company’s decision to create a base in

Manchester, Geoff seized the opportunity to transfer into sales. Fate saw him leave his roots and make the pilgrimage to Manchester and the North West. Little perhaps did he realise at the time that it would be a move that would shape not just his future, but also that of his family. Within a relatively short timeframe, Geoff made a move into the fire protection industry having joined Dunford Fire Protection Services Limited, where he was to spend the next three years discovering what this sector had to offer by actively and effectively selling the installation of fire alarm systems. It was at this time that Geoff began to realise the potential magnitude that this growing industry could present. It was, after all, at a time when fire alarm system installation had become a statutory requirement following the passing of legislation in the form of the Factories, and Office, Shop & Railway Premises Acts. Maybe one could say it was the right place at the right time. Amalgamated is amalgamated This was when Geoff’s true entrepreneurial spirit became apparent, as together with two partners, probably best seen as the ‘three musketeers’, took the leap of faith to form Amalgamated Fire Alarm Company Ltd in 1970. Given that by this time Geoff was the father to two young daughters with a third on the way, it was a bold move indeed. And whilst working from home during and since Covid has become increasingly the norm, it was something that Geoff and his partners were doing in the early 70s. Their initial base - a house in the Manchester suburb of Urmston! Having kick-started the business by securing the chance to repair a number of fire doors for Tesco, Geoff still remembers fondly the company’s first significant contract in excess of £1K…..yes, £1K! “It was for the installation of a system in the Uni Centre in Preston. A multi-storey office block that still exists today,” injects Geoff. Thereby followed a period of continual and progressive organic growth that resulted in the business being able to move from a domestic setting to more

appropriate premises in the Miles Platting area of Manchester, following which further moves saw the business migrate to Whitefield, before setting down its roots in Swinton, where the company still takes up residency today. Key Milestones It was a time that saw Amalgamated successful in securing a number of very important and what many would say were pioneering contracts. One of the most significant being the involved and detailed fire engineering exercise that Amalgamated became involved in following the Summerland disaster that took place on the Isle of Man in 1973 that saw 50 people killed and 80 seriously injured. The aim was to deliver a system that would safeguard against any similar incident from ever occurring again. Other contracts of note were for British Aerospace at Samlesbury and Wharton, plus some 10 miles of LHD cabling installed at Bristol Docks. Fast forward to 1982, when Geoff became the sole owner of the business, and a time period where the business and Geoff’s position within the industry would continue to gain real traction. Not surprisingly, Geoff has occupied a number of leading industry positions, the first of real note when he became Chairman of the Manchester Area Branch of the ECA between 1989 and 1991. Indeed it was an association with the ECA that continues to this day still. In the intervening years, Geoff has held the following senior positions with the association: 1994 – 1996 – Chairman of the Northwest Regional ECA 2012 – 2018 – Serving member of the National Council for the ECA Additionally, in 2015 Geoff received the prestigious Ian Marsh Award. Sponsored by the Fire and Security Association (FSA), the award recognises individuals who demonstrate enthusiasm and selfless concern for the fire, security and emergency services industry.

Losing a friend Whilst Geoff has developed and enjoyed many formative relationships with people along the way, none have been stronger in bond than the one he forged with Allan Littler. Having first met Allan through the ECA, the relationship that developed between the two was something to behold. With Geoff asking Allan to join the business as Chairman at the turn of the century, there followed a period of some 15 years that must be seen as Amalgamated’s renaissance era. Together, and through hard work, determination and commitment, both helped shape the business from a regional player into the national provider it is today. And at the heart of their strategy was a combined focus on progressive organic growth, coupled with strategic acquisitions. Outside of the business arena, Geoff views the personal relationship he built with Allan as being one more like brothers. Not surprisingly, following the sudden and unexpected passing of Allan in 2015, it stands as a momentous occasion for Geoff and the entire Amalgamated team. As Geoff states: “Allan’s influence on the business cannot be underestimated and we did become almost like brothers over the years. Indeed his photograph continues to adorn the walls of our offices in Swinton and serves as a timely reminder of how much he meant to the company.” And whilst his passing was understandably something that we all found difficult to come to terms with, it happened just shortly after my wife and I had enjoyed a ‘thank you’ holiday for him and his wife in Marbella, Spain,” he adds. Shaping a safe future Being a family owned and run business, it will come as little surprise that Geoff’s son, Ian, joined the business in 2011 after graduating in business management at Manchester University. After shadowing and learning the ropes from his highly experienced father, Ian assumed the position of Managing Director Designate in 2013, before being appointed MD in 2016, with Geoff then taking on the role of Chairman, previously held, of course, by Allan Littler.

In the same year, and now under Ian’s direction, Amalgamated, was the recipient of the ECA Contractor of the Year Award, with Geoff receiving a further local service award from the Manchester Area Branch. Since this time, Amalgamated has been successful in enjoying continued growth and development, again by organic means and through the route of acquisition. It will come as little surprise to many that two additional acquisitions are currently being pursued at present, the aim being to enable Amalgamated to increase the portfolio of services it offers, and thereby positioning the company as a one-stop-shop provider on a truly national scale. Today Amalgamated has some 50 employees, with teams of service and installation engineers operating across the country. “The future for Amalgamated is extremely exciting and I am confident that with Ian at the helm and with the support of the experienced team we have in place to reinforce every facet of the business that the company will continue to prosper, whilst looking to develop its pioneering role as a means of ensuring, above all else, the protection of life, property and the environment,’ states Geoff. “And whilst the industry has changed tremendously over the last 52 years, I am delighted to have been able to help Amalgamated grow without losing sight of the values on which the company was founded. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the industry and would like to be remembered as someone who has put in as much as they have taken out,” he concludes. So for someone who has selflessly done so much for the fire, safety and security sector over the last six decades, Geoff can be seen as a real trailblazer. Ironically, therefore, it is perhaps fitting to touch on Geoff’s ‘Swan song’ over recent years, that being the commitment he has shown since 2015 as a member of the Trailblazer Apprenticeship committee, in helping create and deliver the FESS accredited scheme specifically for the fire and security industry.

The Final Word With the stewardship of Amalgamated now resting with the current Teader generation, Ian, it is only fitting that he reflects on such a long, glowing, and distinguished career. “The impact my father has had in his chosen sector is something to be admired. Right from day one he has dedicated his life to helping protect people and the places in which they work and dwell. He is understandably respected and admired, not just by his peers and industry colleagues, but also by his family of now five children and 10 grandchildren. He has built a legacy that will live on for many years and one that will be extremely difficult to match. Even to this day he remains intent on continuing to do whatever he can to help the sector develop and progress. It is, after all, what makes him tick.”