John Melling, now MD of Churchill Support Services, worked his way up from being an on-site security operator to now being appointed to Managing Director.
Born and bred in Wigan, John began his career in security in 2008 as a field officer, providing on-site security for retail and hospitality businesses. In 2011, he joined Chorley-based Churchill Support Services as a supervisor. From there, his career really began to take off.
“I just sort of fell into the industry and started out in an on-the-ground role. Joining Churchill Support Services was the turning point for me- I really felt like I could build a career there.”
And build a career he did. Working his way up from Supervisor to Assistant Operations Manager and then Client Relationship Manager, by 2018, John was promoted to being a Director of the business responsible for Sales and Marketing. After 10 years of working in the company, he was recently offered the top spot of Managing Director.
Despite this success, John’s unique journey to MD has given him an invaluable perspective and humble attitude:
“I understand what it’s like to work on the ground and can appreciate the immense value that each employee brings to the business, no matter the role. It’s the people that make a company. That’s why our virtues of humility, passion and people first are so important to me”.
Alongside pure graft, John also credits Churchill Support Services for his impressive progression in the industry.
“Churchill invests heavily in developing their people and nurturing talent. The business creates opportunities for people of all backgrounds to succeed, not just here in the North West but across the country. I guess I’m a living breathing example of that. As MD, this aspect of the business will always be important to me”
Churchill Support Services is a prime example of how Lancashire-based businesses are creating employment opportunities and real career paths on a regional and national level. As for John, he’s certainly a role model for anyone looking to make a career in the security industry.
“People can sometimes have a false perception of what the private security sector is. Most people will probably picture a bouncer. In reality, there are so many different roles requiring a diverse range of skillsets. There’s also the chance to make a real professional career, no matter where you start out”.
Churchill Support Services is a leading cross-industry corporate services company, supplying professional and comprehensive security solutions and electronic systems to businesses across the UK.
To find out more about how Churchill Support Services can support your business and its operations, get in touch with us today.
