|
GEOS was established in 1997. The growing risk exposure of companies to political and criminal risk and the lack of resources available to companies to mitigate those risks were the salient reasons that led us to found the Group. Government responsibility only covers a part of the threat-scape and at the time the company was founded, the only risk management firms to provide an effective response to the security needs of businesses and organizations were all Anglo-American.
Baseline capabilities
Beginning in 1997, GEOS decided to base its business expansion on close cover protection and security details for dignitaries (company directors, individuals) and security audits in Algeria, a country familiar to the first staff members of the company. Very quickly, GEOS began to expand its business by providing international security assistance to French corporations. In 1998, GEOS had a 366,000 euro turnover..
Towards a global package of services
2000 saw the consolidation of GEOS business, and the expansion of service provision to Central Africa, East Africa, South-East Asia and South America. In addition to its international activity, GEOS set up GEOS FRANCE, a dedicated subsidiary on the European continent. In the same year, GEOS restructured as a simplified joint stock company, or SAS, and turnover reached 2,745,000 euro.
2004-2005 : The GEOS Group continued to expand and decided to open its capital.
In 2004, GEOS recorded one of the best performances of the French security market with a turnover of 15.6 million euro and confirmed its position as leader in continental Europe.
In the same year, GEOS opened 34 % of its capital to CONTINENTAL RISK, a holding company owned by Guillaume Verspieren.
This association perfectly matched the demands of the Group’s founders who wished to safeguard the independence of the Group and maintain the synergies of a global risk management culture.
2008 : Group shows double-digit growth
The GEOS Group announced a consolidated turnover of 34 million euro for the year 2007/2008, a rise of 34% over the previous year. Â This latest performance confirms the position of the group as the leading risk management provider in continental Europe over the last ten years. The Group today employs a staff of 400 at fifteen international branches worldwide.
GEOS has reinforced the capital, shareholding and managerial structure of the Group in order to continue its expansion policy and to address three priorities :
• Continue regional expansion and reinforce local operational capabilities.
• Develop services to international organizations (NATO, UN, European Commission, governments, etc.)
• Adapt services to the changing requirements of our clients (geopositioning, operational assistance, outsourcing of services).
Capital reinforcement and new GEOS Chairman
The longtime shareholder of the Group, Continental Risk, owned by Guillaume Verspieren, has increased its share in the capital of the company and is now majority shareholder. Guillaume Verspieren is the new Chairman of GEOS and has reaffirmed his trust in the founders and staff of the Group. The investment funds Halisol and Participex have made longterm investments in the capital of GEOS. Six members of staff have taken part since March 2008 in the GEOS share-ownership scheme.
GEOS in 2008 :
*In accordance with the standards set forth by ISO
|
|
