About Trevor

I've sat in your chair, and I know how heavy it gets.

Hi, I’m Trevor. Thank you for stopping by. I spent 27 years building and running my own business. Now I’m on your side of the table, helping owner-managers and their senior teams find the clarity to decide, the focus to act and the accountability to see it through.

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My story

From apprentice electrician to a successful exit.

Born and raised in the fantastic town of Burnley, Lancashire, my career started at 15 as an apprentice electrician.

When the time came to take my electrical exams, I was told that passing them would mean redundancy. How’s that for motivation! After being made redundant, my passion for electronics led me to start my first business at just 20.

In 1994 I founded Alert Fire & Security Ltd from a spare bedroom, and in 2021 I successfully exited. Over those 27 years I lived through the growth pains, the tough decisions, and the highs and lows of leadership that owner-managers face every day.

Age 15

Apprentice electrician

Learning a trade in Burnley, and learning early that nothing is handed to you.

The twist

Pass your exams, lose your job

Told that qualifying would mean redundancy. It did, and it lit the fire.

Age 20

First business

A passion for electronics turned into my first venture.

1994

Alert Fire & Security Ltd

Founded from a spare bedroom and grown over 27 years into an award-winning business with a large base of contracted customers. Accredited to NACOSS Gold, BAFE SP203, BSIA, CHAS and Constructionline.

2021

A successful exit

Start-up to exit, and everything in between, the good and the bad.

Today

On your side of the table

Helping owner-managers and senior teams find clarity, make better decisions and grow.

Lessons from Alert

What 27 years taught me.

Think like an owner, not an operator

I built Alert from scratch and learnt that growth without clarity creates confusion. The moment you stop being the person who does everything and start leading the business, growth accelerates. That starts with knowing your numbers, your market and where you’re heading before you make the big decisions.

Build systems that scale

A business can’t scale if everything depends on the owner. Growing Alert and its large base of contracted customers taught me that repeatable processes, strong people and clear accountability create consistency, profitability and freedom. Longer hours don’t.

Create an asset, not a job

The real measure of success isn’t how hard the owner works, but the value the business creates. By focusing on recurring revenue, customer retention and operational excellence, I exited successfully and realised the value we’d built over many years.

Beyond Alert

Leadership doesn't stop at the office door.

Alongside running Alert, I’ve given my time to boards and committees as a volunteer. It’s the same work of governance, finances and people, done for a cause rather than a profit.

Chair, Fulledge Colts FC

2016 to present

I joined the committee of this large community football club in 2016, became Vice Chair in 2018 and Chair in 2022. I oversee governance, safeguarding, finances, sponsorship and a team of volunteers.

Trustee, FEW Charity

2012 to 2017

Governance and fundraising for a UK charity supporting education in The Gambia, including sourcing, refurbishing and shipping school furniture to Gambian schools.

Member, Burnley Focus Group

2000 to 2004

Working with local business owners, the council and community groups on business leadership and economic development in Burnley.

Lancaster University LEAD programme

2007 to 2009

An executive development programme for business owners, focused on leadership, growth and breaking through the barriers to scale.

A note from me

Let's start with a conversation.

Running a business is no small feat. If you’re doing it, you’re already amazing. If any of this resonates, get in touch and we’ll talk over a call or a brew. And if we’re not the right fit, I’ll still wish you every success on the journey ahead.