Northern Security is creating 100 jobs – up to half of them in Carlisle – as part of an ambitious expansion plan.

Its workforce is set to rise to 250 as the business doubles in size over the next three years, starting with a move to new premises this month. Managing director Paul Hopper, who set up the firm in 1998, has been working with the Government’s GrowthAccelerator – in particular mentor Michael McGrath from Wetheral – which aims to help businesses fulfill their growth potential.

Mr Hopper said: “We’ve being working hard to develop a growth strategy which will allow us to create around 100 new jobs over the next three years. The first step, a move to bigger headquarters, is already underway and now the focus is on boosting our management team and ensuring we have the right people and skills to reach our targets.”

The firm already employs 150 people in Carlisle and through a satellite office in Middlesbrough, and is recruiting security officers, control room operators and systems engineers.

It announced this summer it was moving from St Ninian’s Road in Upperby to the former Colophon building in Peterfield Road, Kingstown, which is three times the size.

Neighbouring Kingstown firm Purple ICT has been engaged to help plan work space in the new building.

It will incorporate an alarm-receiving centre, the only one of its kind in the area, to be monitored by a minimum of two staff around the clock.

Mr Hopper said: “Our alarm-receiving centre is an important step and will allow us to take control of services we currently outsource to a company in the south. We now have a sufficient number of clients to make it cost-effective to take the service in-house. It’s always more reliable when you do it yourself. We will be in a position to offer more high-quality services in a seamless and cost-effective way – with the back-up of a strong customer service and operations team.”

GrowthAccelerator reviewed the company’s management structure and delivered training to staff through management and skills workshops.

The new premises will house a technical training centre for apprentices. Northern Security has four at present, and is looking to recruit a fifth.

The company’s customers include the Cumberland Building Society, haulier AW Jenkinson and the University of Cumbria. Mr Hopper expects the business to grow by securing new contracts, but he hopes to make acquisitions too.

Last year Northern Security acquired competitor Alert Cumbria in Cleator Moor, whose clients included Dunmail Park, Lakes College and Derwent Business Park in Workington.

Mr Hopper said: “We have a couple more acquisitions in the pipeline, another in Cumbria and one in the north east that we’re looking at.”

Northern Security’s sister company, Northern Vehicle Hire, which employs three people, is also moving from Upperby to Kingstown.