A second generation of the Gee family is making an impact at Keybury Fire & Security
As human resources co-ordinator, Karen Gee has boosted quality and training provision to support the Keighley-based company as it continues to expand its workforce and regional office network, and strengthen its regional and national footprint.
Karen, 22, from Bingley, joined Keybury 12 months ago – her father Frank founded the company in 1982 and is managing director, while Karen’s mother Tricia is administration director.
With across-the-board staff training central to her role, Karen has since followed that route herself by gaining a Masters degree in Human Resources Management at Leeds University. She is also a graduate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.
Results are already being seen. Last year, all design, installation, commissioning and engineering service personnel from Keybury’s newly established fire alarms division successfully undertook specialist training run by the British Fire Protection Systems Association to equip them with the skills necessary to guarantee compliance with important new legislation governing the entire fire alarms industry.
Karen has also co-ordinated a defensive driver training programme, which has enhanced skills among Keybury’s company vehicle drivers.
In addition, she has introduced a skills-based training structure that can be tailored to enable trainees to fulfil their true potential. “At Keybury, we have a track record for developing trainee staff,” said Karen, who also has a brief to ensure that all UK and European quality standards continue to be met.
Frank Gee commented: “Our people are very important to us and Karen’s introduction into the business is not only keeping our employees fully informed about the latest developments in our industry sector, but also helping them to achieve their maximum potential.
“We have always placed a major emphasis on investment in quality and training and Karen is reaffirming this commitment. She is successfully driving our quest for total quality and industry-leading service levels.”
Tricia Gee added: “We remain a family-run and now second generation business, well equipped to respond to continuing high levels of demand for domestic, commercial and specialist high security installations regionally and nationally.”
Keybury Fire & Security also has established offices in Skipton and Ilkley, and earlier this year opened a new district office in Harrogate Business Centre, Hookstone Avenue, to more effectively service growing intruder and fire alarm, and CCTV business activity across the region.
National business also remains buoyant for the company’s Shop Alert Plus division, which designs and installs retail communication and major incident management systems at UK shopping centres, with specialist high security installation work in the utilities sector another major growth area.