--- title: "About SPS Group | Facilities Management Group, Hull Since 1992" url: https://spsgroupservices.com/about description: "SPS Group: founded in Hull in 1992, now employing 1,000+ people across ICS Cleaning, SPS Security, SPS Technical and TESS. Our story, values and social value." lang: en-GB --- Skip to content Clean · Protect · Detect · Maintain · Train · Integrate · Yorkshire and Lincolnshire since 1992 01482 226570 (+441482226570) About SPS Group # From a Hull security patrol company to a regional group employing 1,000+ people SPS Group started in Hull in 1992 as Security Patrol Services. Today it brings together ICS Cleaning, SPS Security, SPS Technical and TESS, with SPS Academy and ICS Maintenance to follow, serving schools, businesses and public buildings across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Founded in Hull People employed across the group Group turnover Service hours every week Client sites cleaned by ICS Education sites cleaned by ICS Fire and security engineers Offices: Hull, Grimsby, Lincoln Figures as published by the group's businesses in 2026. Our story ## How SPS Group developed Over more than 30 years the group has grown from local patrols and keyholding into cleaning, guarding, fire and security systems, monitoring and training, while staying a regional, family-owned business. 1. 1992 ### Security Patrol Services starts in Hull The group begins as Security Patrol Services: mobile patrols, keyholding, alarm response, and opening and locking up premises for local businesses. 2. 1995 ### Independent Cleaning Services is formed Clients who trusted SPS with their security wanted the same reliability from their cleaning, so the group formed Independent Cleaning Services, now ICS Cleaning. 3. 1990s to 2000s ### A major regional guarding business SPS grows within security guarding, at one stage employing more than 800 security officers across a wide range of contracts and sectors. 4. 2000 ### First university contract SPS wins its first university contract. More than 25 years later, that relationship still continues. 5. 2010 ### ISO 14001 environmental certification SPS Security is certified to ISO 14001, held continuously since, alongside ISO 9001 across the group's businesses. 6. 2018 ### Growth into security systems The group puts greater focus on fire and security systems, remote monitoring and access control, which grows into SPS Technical. 7. 2023 ### TESS joins the group SPS acquires TESS (Hull) Ltd, building a team of 25+ multi-skilled engineers across fire, security, access control and CCTV. 8. 2024 ### A modern 24-hour control room The Hull control room is upgraded to coordinate monitoring, helpdesk, alarm response, mobile patrols and out-of-hours communication. 9. 2026 ### New websites and free tools New websites for ICS Cleaning, SPS Security and SPS Technical, with free tools that help schools and businesses plan cleaning, security and compliance. 10. 2027 ### SPS Academy and ICS Maintenance online Websites launch for SPS Academy (security, cleaning and workplace training) and ICS Maintenance (PAT testing and machinery repairs). Values and ethos ## What every SPS Group business stands for Each business sets out its own values, and they share the same core. These are the principles behind how we design, deliver and manage services. Accountability Every contract has a named manager. When something goes wrong, we say so, explain why and fix it. Reliability Turning up, responding quickly and delivering what we agreed is the baseline, not a selling point. Regional commitment We are a Yorkshire and Lincolnshire group. Our people, managers and engineers are based here. Transparency Clear reporting, honest advice and open discussion of issues, so clients can make better decisions. People first Directly employed, trained and supported teams deliver better, more consistent service. Data-led decisions Audits, incident logs, patrol data and service records guide how we improve. Practical innovation We use technology where it genuinely improves visibility, reliability and response. Best value The right service, delivered properly, rather than simply the lowest price. Read each business's values: SPS Security (https://sps-security.com/about/values-ethos) · SPS Technical (https://sps-technical.com/about/values-ethos) · ICS Cleaning (https://ics-cleaning.com/about) Our people ## Directly employed, trained and supported Good service comes from good people. Across the group we employ our teams directly, invest in their training and promote from within, because stable teams know their sites and deliver better results. - 98% of SPS Security's front-line officers are directly employed - ICS Cleaning employs its operatives directly rather than relying on agency staff - Structured induction and ongoing training, from SIA compliance and conflict management to COSHH, machinery and safeguarding - DBS checks and safeguarding training for staff working in education settings - Career progression: many supervisors and managers started on site - SPS Academy, the group's own training centre, a Highfield approved centre Social value ## Social value that is local and measurable Because the group is genuinely regional, its social value is practical: jobs, training, spending and support that stay in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Local employment Recruiting from the communities we serve, managed from offices in Hull, Grimsby and Lincoln. Training and progression Apprenticeships, NVQ pathways and internal promotion into supervisory and management roles. Fair employment Proper contracts, holiday and pension provision, and ICS Cleaning's Real Living Wage commitment. Responsible procurement Local and regional suppliers prioritised, with fair payment terms through the supply chain. Safer places Security, fire and access control services that make workplaces, schools and public spaces safer. Measurable reporting Evidenced social value commitments and reporting for tenders, aligned to Social Value Act and TOMs requirements. Supporting our communities ## Proud to be part of the communities we serve For over 30 years, SPS Group has been part of communities across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. From local clubs and grassroots sport to the many charities we support and practical community projects, we believe in giving something back to the places where our people live and work. Image: Junior football squad wearing blue ICS Cleaning sponsored shirts (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698d8dcafa4af82bf423df60/3c04754c6_icscleaningsponsor.jpg) Junior football sponsorship ### Grassroots football Kit and season sponsorship for junior and youth football teams across Hull and East Yorkshire. Image: Junior rugby players in SPS Technical sponsored red and white shirts (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698d8dcafa4af82bf423df60/38d0fd949_sps_techncial_sponsorhip1.jpg) Junior rugby sponsorship ### Junior rugby league Sponsoring junior rugby league sides, from match kit to trips to watch the professional game. Image: Local cricket club players in SPS Group sponsored shirts (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698d8dcafa4af82bf423df60/c25605b3f_spsgroupsponsor5.jpg) Local cricket club ### Community cricket Supporting village and community cricket clubs with sponsored kit and season support. Image: Supporters arriving at a rugby league stadium entrance on match day (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698d8dcafa4af82bf423df60/6028571cc_sport-entrance.webp) Match day in Hull ### Local sport and events Supporting local clubs and sporting occasions across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, from community fixtures to the region's big match days. Image: A colleague surrounded by donated Christmas gifts, toys and presents collected for local families (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698d8dcafa4af82bf423df60/69a8de3fb_christmas-appeal-gifts.webp) Christmas gift appeal ### Christmas appeals Each December our teams collect gifts and festive donations for local families, children and good causes. ### Charity fundraising We work with numerous charities within our region, and our colleagues raise money for causes close to home through sponsored challenges and events. Image: Pupil holding a Reader of the Week certificate and a Ready Steady Read book bag in partnership with ICS Cleaning (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698d8dcafa4af82bf423df60/a20452d8c_ready-steady-read-ics-bag.webp) Reader of the Week ### Reading and schools ICS Cleaning partners with Ready Steady Read, rewarding young readers with certificates and book bags and helping children enjoy books. Image: Volunteers with bags of litter collected during a riverside clean-up (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698d8dcafa4af82bf423df60/7364c9fae_rovercleaningfreshney.jpg) River litter pick ### Environment and volunteering Practical volunteering by our people, from river and town-centre litter picks to helping local community projects. Photographs show sponsored teams and activities supported by the group; not every organisation named is pictured. Sustainability ## Practical environmental responsibility Certified ISO 14001 environmental management across ICS Cleaning, SPS Security (since 2010) and SPS Technical, and an Achilles four-star sustainability rating. Award-winning Green Apple Environment Awards in each year from 2022 to 2025, and Loo of the Year Platinum and Gold awards at education, retail and commercial sites we clean. In everyday delivery Eco-certified products and dilution control, GPS-planned patrol routes, digital reporting, repair-first maintenance and regional teams that travel less. Accreditations ## Independently accredited ISO 9001 ISO 14001 SIA Approved Contractor SSAIB BAFE SP203-1 BICSc corporate member CHAS SafeContractor Achilles BSIA member Crescent Purchasing Consortium framework Highfield approved centre See which business holds each one on our accreditations and frameworks (https://spsgroupservices.com/accreditations) page. The group today ## Six specialist businesses, one regional group ICS Cleaning Commercial, contract and specialist cleaning https://spsgroupservices.com/ics-cleaning SPS Security Manned guarding, mobile patrols, keyholding and alarm response https://spsgroupservices.com/sps-security SPS Technical Fire alarms, CCTV, access control and intruder alarms https://spsgroupservices.com/sps-technical TESS Fire, security and access control installation https://spsgroupservices.com/tess ICS Maintenance· early 2027 PAT testing and machinery repairs https://spsgroupservices.com/ics-maintenance SPS Academy· early 2027 Security, cleaning and workplace training https://spsgroupservices.com/sps-academy SPS Group is the trading name of Millwood Investments Limited, a family-owned company. Group companies include SPS Security Limited (02738677), Independent Cleaning Services Limited (03013224) and TESS (Hull) Ltd (07552189). ## How we work together See how our specialist businesses combine as integrated facilities management (https://spsgroupservices.com/integrated-facilities-management), with a dedicated manager for every service and senior oversight of your whole site. ## One Group. Six Specialist Capabilities. Fully Integrated. Clean, Protect, Detect, Maintain, Train and Integrate: what our specialist businesses do, and how they come together. - Clean Contract, education and specialist cleaning: https://spsgroupservices.com/services/cleaning - Protect Guarding, patrols, keyholding and alarm response: https://spsgroupservices.com/services/security - Detect Fire alarms, CCTV, access control and intruder alarms: https://spsgroupservices.com/services/fire-and-security-systems - Maintain PAT testing and cleaning machinery repairs: https://spsgroupservices.com/services/maintenance - Train Ongoing training for every member of staff: https://spsgroupservices.com/services/training - Integrate One contract, one point of contact, one quality standard: https://spsgroupservices.com/integrated-facilities-management Facilities management across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Facilities management in Hull and East Yorkshire: https://spsgroupservices.com/facilities-management/hull-east-yorkshire Facilities management in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire: https://spsgroupservices.com/facilities-management/grimsby-north-east-lincolnshire Facilities management in Lincolnshire: https://spsgroupservices.com/facilities-management/lincolnshire Facilities management in South Yorkshire: https://spsgroupservices.com/facilities-management/south-yorkshire Facilities management in West Yorkshire: https://spsgroupservices.com/facilities-management/west-yorkshire Facilities management in York and North Yorkshire: https://spsgroupservices.com/facilities-management/york-north-yorkshire ## About SPS Group: questions When was SPS Group founded?▾ SPS Group began in Hull in 1992 as Security Patrol Services. Independent Cleaning Services, now ICS Cleaning, was formed in 1995, and TESS (Hull) Ltd joined the group in 2023. How big is SPS Group?▾ SPS Group employs more than 1,000 people across security, cleaning and technical services, a group turnover of more than £25 million, and delivers over 22,000 service hours every week across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Who owns SPS Group?▾ SPS Group is the trading name of Millwood Investments Limited, a family-owned company based in Hull. Does SPS Group use subcontractors?▾ 98% of SPS Security's front-line security officers are directly employed, with a small amount of subcontracting, and ICS Cleaning employs its cleaning operatives directly rather than relying on agency staff. What social value does SPS Group deliver?▾ Local employment across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, training and career progression, fair employment, responsible local procurement, community sponsorship and volunteering, and measurable social value reporting for tenders and contract reviews. What environmental standards does SPS Group hold?▾ SPS Security has held ISO 14001 since 2010 and an Achilles four-star sustainability rating. ICS Cleaning and SPS Technical are also ISO 14001 certified, alongside ISO 9001. Accredited and approved ## Independently accredited across every capability All accreditations and frameworks (https://spsgroupservices.com/accreditations) - Image: SIA Approved Contractor, held by SPS Security (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/3d7d7139b_image.png) - Image: BAFE SP203-1 fire detection and alarm systems, held by SPS Technical (https://media.base44.com/images/public/6989f2350e53aab8836435e3/406d9784c_bafe-logo.png) - Image: SSAIB certified security systems, held by SPS Technical (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/c9e7dc74b_image.png) - Image: ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, UKAS accredited certification, held by ICS Cleaning, SPS Security, SPS Technical (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/3f160a20c_image.png) - Image: Crescent Purchasing Consortium supplier, held by ICS Cleaning (https://qtrypzzcjebvfcihiynt.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/base44-prod/public/698d1493256c3e7612121fcc/c6b8bd093_CrescentLogo_Suppliers.png) - Image: CHAS accredited contractor, held by SPS Group (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/a31a34ebe_image.png) - Image: SafeContractor, held by SPS Group (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/8031d3964_image.png) - Image: BSIA member, held by SPS Group (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/93e58a076_image.png) - Image: Achilles Network Silver Plus, held by SPS Security (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/4a8991034_image.png) - Image: Achilles BuildingConfidence, held by SPS Security (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/6d454a108_image.png) - Image: Acclaim Accreditation (SSIP), held by SPS Security (https://media.base44.com/images/public/698915a4f050929687a915b6/79dcd06bd_image.png) ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "AboutPage", "url": "https://spsgroupservices.com/about", "name": "About SPS Group", "description": "SPS Group: founded in Hull in 1992, now employing 1,000+ people across ICS Cleaning, SPS Security, SPS Technical and TESS. 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