John has more than 30 years' experience in the business and admitted setting up on his own was not originally his idea.
He said: "I have been in security for 32 years and worked for various firms.
"I was working as a security officer for gentoo at Doxford when a couple of project managers suggested setting up on my own."
As part of its remit, gentoo supports small business start-ups across Wearside.
The housing company helped John and John draw up a business plan and they have also had assistance from Business Link and city enterprise agency SES
"Security is the biggest growing industry at the moment," said John Snr.
"We supply provide various aspects of the security industry - mobile patrol, property guarding, door supervisors, close protection.
"We have started recruiting now. We are working for gentoo in the Sunderland area and we have been invited to tender for additional work.
"We have got 32 people working for us now and we hope to take the numbers up to 100 in the next 12 months and then to double that over the next two years.
"We want to concentrate on recruiting from here and when we are working away from the area, we will transport the lads from here, they will stay away for a few days and then come back."
Business Link's Neil Sowerby is based at the place and has special responsibility for promoting business start-up in Hendon, the East End and the historic heart of Sunderland.
The aim was to create new businesses with a long-term future.
"We are looking for sustainability," he said.
"We hold their hands until they can stand on their own two feet."
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Sunderland Echo |
