About Defensor.
Defensor supports businesses by delivering life safety system solutions which are efficient, effective and provide complete peace of mind.
Founded in 1996, we proudly remain a fully independent, privately owned business. For over 25 years we have been designing, supplying, installing, commissioning and maintaining life safety systems for a broad spectrum of clients. Over the years we have established a solid reputation for quality and reliability. Thus the Defensor name has come to represent complete reassurance.
More than 25 Years Experience.
We are committed to achieving excellence in everything we do. We employ only the highest quality products, embracing the very latest, cutting-edge technology. We provide installation, commissioning and maintenance support which is both preventative and reactive.
Defensor is dedicated to ensuring our network of engineers are trained to the very highest standards. We hold third party quality accreditations and certification from the Loss Prevention Council (certificate type LPS1014 and ISO:9001) as well as BAFE. In addition we maintain a qualification and membership of the leading Health & Safety organisations in the UK.
Within the Defensor team, we boast a huge depth of skill, a broad range of experience and a solid track record of success. We are able to reliably meet the needs of all our customers. Which is why many of our clients have been with us since the very beginning. We pride ourselves on our nuanced and bespoke approach to every project. We will always listen to our clients, understanding your needs and challenges. We will ensure that our life safety solution is tailored to perfectly match your needs.
We believe that all of these features set us apart from other organisations. Defensor will provide you with a personal, reliable and effective service. Every time.
Our Team.
John Richardson
John is a true industry veteran, having first joined the fire sector in 1981. He is responsible for having spear-headed the launch of Defensor over 25 years ago. In that time he has gained unrivalled experience within the industry. His expertise and know-how is second to none and has enabled him to achieve the Highest Growth award 3 years in succession. John was also able to ensure that Defensor was one of the very first companies to attain dual branding for Gent and Notifier. Passionate about quality, he has been at the forefront of Defensor’s ongoing membership to quality accreditation systems. Over the years, John has established close relationships with some of the UK’s biggest companies, ensuring a longevity of service rarely seen in this sector.
Within his professional career, John cites the incorporation of the business as one of his key achievements. Alongside that, he is also very proud of building and strengthening his team. John is particularly dedicated to ensuring his team’s personal development.
John has a particular interest in new business development. His achievements in this area contribute enormously to the ongoing success and development of Defensor.
Helen Scott
Managing Director
Launching her career with Gent, Helen has worked within the fire industry since 1991. She has been with Defensor since 2001, initially joining in a sales role but taking on the position of General Manager in 2009. In 2015 Helen oversaw the re-branding of the company and also implemented new commercial procedures to ensure that the business continues to improve, develop and grow.
Helen believes passionately in outstanding customer care. “The client comes first” is at the very heart of her business ethos. She is actively involved with Defensor’s key clients and is committed to the importance of building solid client relationships. Helen believes that the company can only deliver excellence by listening to our clients, embracing suggestions and feedback and always seeking to improve and innovate.
One of Helen’s key achievements was leading the development of the Proof Of Testing Evidence matrix, in response to an industry requirement. She is also very proud of managing a highly motivated and well-trained team, which ensures that the Defensor service is second to none.
Helen Scott
Launching her career with Gent, Helen has worked within the fire industry since 1991. She has been with Defensor since 2001, initially joining in a sales role but taking on the position of General Manager in 2009. In 2015 Helen oversaw the re-branding of the company and also implemented new commercial procedures to ensure that the business continues to improve, develop and grow.
Helen believes passionately in outstanding customer care. “The client comes first” is at the very heart of her business ethos. She is actively involved with Defensor’s key clients and is committed to the importance of building solid client relationships. Helen believes that the company can only deliver excellence by listening to our clients, embracing suggestions and feedback and always seeking to improve and innovate.
One of Helen’s key achievements was leading the development of the Proof Of Testing Evidence matrix, in response to an industry requirement. She is also very proud of managing a highly motivated and well-trained team, which ensures that the Defensor service is second to none.
Glen McCartney
Quality Health & Safety Environment Manager (QSHE)
Glen joined Defensor 22 years ago as a commissioning engineer, having worked at Protec. He previously served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
During his time at Defensor, Glen has held several positions, which have given him valuable insight into our business and its ongoing improvement needs. He progressed from technical support for field engineers to service manager and to his present role as the QSHE Manager.
Glen has completed various specialised training courses and obtained several qualifications, enabling him to provide exceptional, essential support to our business. Among his qualifications, he is a fire risk assessor (NFRAR), a BAFE SP205 scheme validator and Lead Auditor for ISO 9001 and 14001.
Glen was pivotal in crafting Defensor’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He prepared our entire team for the necessary changes to our working practices and ensured every team member had a Home Office authorisation letter and full PPE. He also developed specific site safety procedures. All of this meant that Defensor could continue working and supporting customers throughout the pandemic, something many of our competitors did not.
Glen takes pride in the instruction and training he has delivered to many team members, watching them develop and apply their knowledge effectively.
Glen McCartney
Quality Health & Safety Environment Manager (QSHE)
Glen joined Defensor 22 years ago as a commissioning engineer, previously working at Protec. Before that, Glen had served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces for 23 years.
During his time at Defensor, Glen has taken on various roles, giving him an invaluable all-around view of our business and what is needed for continuous improvement and development. He has had experience as a commissioning engineer, technical support for field engineers, and service management before finally training to become our Health & Safety Manager.
Glen has completed various specialised training courses and gained several qualifications, which means he provides outstanding and vital support to our business. He is a Technical Member of the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health, an Associate Member of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management, and an Associate Member of the Institute of Environmental Management. Glen is a qualified BAFE SP205 Fire Risk Assessor, Train the Trainer qualified (PTLLS), and first responder, trained to provide emergency care in critical situations, with LIVES, a voluntary organisation based in Lincolnshire.
Glen was pivotal in crafting Defensor’s response to the Covid 19 pandemic. He prepared our entire team for the necessary changes to how we worked and ensured every team member had a Home Office authorisation letter and full PPE. He also developed specific site safety procedures. All of which meant that Defensor could continue working, supporting customers throughout the pandemic – something not achieved by many of our competitors.
Glen is particularly proud of the instruction and training he has imparted to many of our team members and seeing them develop and put theory into practice. He is also very proud of having saved lives thanks to successfully performing CPR as part of his role with LIVES.
Wayne Mitchell
Operations Manager
Starting his career as an Electrical Apprentice in 1996, qualifying from the Technical College in Leicester, Charles Keene as a Joint Industry Board trained electrician. Specialising in Fire & Security in 2002, Waynes’ association with Defensor spans for years prior to joining us as our Operations Manager in June 2023.
Running his own successful fire & security business for years, Wayne brings with him a business acumen and client-centric ethos as well as years of practical, technical ability.
Wayne has already implemented a new software package designed to give greater flow of information and to facilitate all audit requirements, for our field-based engineering team.
His objective is to challenge existing performance and frontiers, enabling us to create and deliver value to clients. To Develop an Operations Delivery System with a Continuous Improvement Culture.
Wayne Mitchell
Operations Manager
Starting his career as an Electrical Apprentice in 1996, qualifying from the Technical College in Leicester, Charles Keene as a Joint Industry Board trained electrician. Specialising in Fire & Security in 2002, Waynes’ association with Defensor spans for years prior to joining us as our Operations Manager in June 2023.
Running his own successful fire & security business for years, Wayne brings with him a business acumen and client-centric ethos as well as years of practical, technical ability.
Wayne has already implemented a new software package designed to give greater flow of information and to facilitate all audit requirements, for our field-based engineering team.
His objective is to challenge existing performance and frontiers, enabling us to create and deliver value to clients. To Develop an Operations Delivery System with a Continuous Improvement Culture.
Craig Gee
Service Manager
Formerly a team leader in the construction Industry, Craig transitioned into the Fire Alarm and Detection Industry in 2008. Starting his career as a service engineer, where he diligently earned his NVQs. After intensive training on various fire alarm systems, Craig swiftly advanced into commissioning, where he has excelled.
Craig has worked on several prestigious sites, including Bristol Airport and numerous MOD sites, leading teams on major projects involving gaseous suppression and highly complex fire alarm and detection systems.
Craig has a keen interest in football, stemming from his childhood when he had trials for Leicester City and Derby County.
Fortunately, Craig found his true calling within the Defensor family and has never looked back.
Craig Lee
Service Manager
Formerly a team leader in the construction Industry, Craig transitioned into the Fire Alarm and Detection Industry in 2008. Starting his career as a service engineer, where he diligently earned his NVQs. After intensive training on various fire alarm systems, Craig swiftly advanced into commissioning, where he has excelled.
Craig has worked on several prestigious sites, including Bristol Airport and numerous MOD sites, leading teams on major projects involving gaseous suppression and highly complex fire alarm and detection systems.
Craig has a keen interest in football, stemming from his childhood when he had trials for Leicester City and Derby County.
Fortunately, Craig found his true calling within the Defensor family and has never looked back.
Running his own successful fire & security business for years, Wayne brings with him a business acumen and client-centric ethos as well as years of practical, technical ability.
Wayne has already implemented a new software package designed to give greater flow of information and to facilitate all audit requirements, for our field-based engineering team.
His objective is to challenge existing performance and frontiers, enabling us to create and deliver value to clients. To Develop an Operations Delivery System with a Continuous Improvement Culture.
Jobs at Defensor.
We are always on the look-out for talented engineers.
If you would like to join a tight-knit, highly-skilled team where you are treated as an individual.
If you can offer reliability and have established skills or want the chance to develop further and feel ready for a new challenge.
Fire Alarm Engineer
Join the Defensor team as a Fire Alarm Engineer in Bristol, Leeds, and the Midlands. We’re looking for skilled professionals with a passion for safety and innovation. Apply now to advance your career in a dynamic and supportive environment.
