Company Number: 12485040

Analysis Date: 2025-07-20 13:11 UTC

1. Industry Classification

Creative Protection Services Ltd operates primarily within the private security and cleaning services sectors, as indicated by its SIC codes:

• 80100: Private security activities
• 80200: Security systems service activities
• 81299: Other cleaning services
• 70229: Management consultancy activities other than financial management

This places the company in a mixed service sector niche encompassing physical security provision, security technology servicing, ancillary cleaning support, and some management consultancy. The UK private security industry is characterized by a broad range of service providers, from large national firms to smaller regional operators. Key characteristics include high regulatory compliance, reliance on skilled labor, and growing demand driven by increased security awareness in corporate, residential, and event sectors.

2. Relative Performance

Financially, Creative Protection Services Ltd is a small but growing enterprise. As of its 2024 financial year end:

• Net assets stand at approximately £54k, up modestly from £53k in 2023.
• It holds tangible fixed assets of £41.9k, showing investment in equipment relevant to security and cleaning operations.
• The company maintains a positive net current asset position (£27k), improving from £16.5k the prior year, reflecting better working capital management.
• Its cash reserves decreased from £79.7k to £45.6k, suggesting operational cash outflows or reinvestment.
• The company employs around 4 staff on average, indicating a micro/small enterprise scale.

Compared to typical small UK security firms, which often have turnover thresholds up to £10M and employ dozens, this company is still at a modest scale. The net asset base and working capital levels are consistent with a small specialist operator rather than a larger competitor. Absence of turnover data restricts full financial ratio assessment, but the balance sheet stability and asset investment suggest a sound foundation.

3. Sector Trends Impact

The UK private security sector has seen increasing demand driven by heightened concerns around crime, terrorism, and event security. Additionally, technology integration (CCTV, access control) is a growing trend, increasing demand for security systems services. The company’s inclusion of security systems servicing (SIC 80200) aligns it well with this trend.

The cleaning services sector, particularly specialized or contract cleaning, also benefits from heightened hygiene awareness post-pandemic, although it remains competitive and price-sensitive.

Management consultancy in non-financial areas may provide diversified revenue streams, though this is a smaller part of the business.

Challenges in the sector include:

• High competition from larger firms with economies of scale
• Regulatory compliance costs (licensing, training)
• Labour shortages and wage pressures impacting cost structures

4. Competitive Positioning

Strengths:

• Diversified service offering combining physical security, technical servicing, and cleaning services may appeal to clients seeking bundled solutions.
• Positive net asset growth and stable equity base indicate prudent financial management and investment in fixed assets.
• Small size enables agility and personalized client service, beneficial in niche or regional markets.

Weaknesses:

• Small scale limits ability to compete on large contracts against established national security firms.
• Relatively low cash reserves may constrain rapid expansion or investment in technology upgrades.
• Limited workforce size restricts capacity to scale operations quickly.

Overall, Creative Protection Services Ltd is a niche player within the UK private security and ancillary services market, operating on a micro/small scale with steady financial health. It is well positioned to serve specific regional or specialized client segments benefiting from its integrated service model but faces typical sector challenges related to scale and competition.