Our simple guiding principle is to provide exceptional service levels in Facilities Management. It’s the vision Simon Thurstans our Managing Director had when he started and it continues today, over 30 years on.
Your career is in safe hands with Guardian. Every year the business has grown – even during the pandemic. Today we’re a national organisation with a client list that includes a number of blue-chip and household names.
Simon firmly believes that our ongoing success is underpinned by those high standards we’ve always insisted on – and the great people here who deliver them. As a business, we’re keen to encourage talent. When you work here, you’re not just a number; we care about you as a person. We want you to feel valued and heard.
Our process is straight forward: a discovery calls to see if we’re the right fit for each other, followed by a second interview to explore your experience in more depth. For technical roles, a supervisor joins to assess your technical suitability. Whatever the outcome, we’ll always follow up with feedback, so you know where you stand.
Our newest apprentices bring fresh energy and dedication to the office team, playing a key role in the everyday operations that keep the business running smoothly. Sienna Healy and Chloe Smith joined as Business Administration apprentices, quickly becoming an essential part of our customer service, handling client queries and taking care of day-to-day admin. Split across our scheduling and students teams, Chloe supports the engineers' day to day workload, helping to keep jobs organised and running efficiently, while Sienna supports our student accommodation client sector, ensuring queries and requests are handled promptly and professionally. Having apprentices of this standard means our office runs efficiently while nurturing the next generation of talent within the business.
Aaron Thomas's progression is a great example of the opportunities available for engineers who want to develop their skills within Guardian. Aaron joined the business as a Plumbing Engineer, bringing solid trade expertise from the outset, and has since gone on to qualify as a Gas Engineer during his time with us, expanding his skill set and taking on a wider range of technical work. His development reflects our commitment to investing in our people, supporting engineers to grow their qualifications and progress their careers while remaining part of the Guardian team. Aaron's journey demonstrates exactly the kind of growth we want to see across the business, giving our engineers the opportunity to develop, qualify and take on new challenges along the way.
Our supervisor team was introduced to provide a dedicated layer of technical support across projects, giving engineers a reliable point of contact for guidance and giving clients added confidence in the quality of work delivered. Craig Darby, our Supervisor of Heating & Plumbing, brings hands on expertise to support project teams, acting as the first point of escalation whenever a technical query needs an experienced eye. Ryan Day, our Electrical Supervisor, plays the same vital role within the electrical team, offering technical guidance to engineers and acting as a trusted point of contact for clients when specialist input is needed. Having supervisors of this calibre means our engineers and clients alike always have someone to turn to, whether it's troubleshooting an unusual fault or getting expert advice on the best approach to a job.
Progressing to Operations Manager reflects a career built on hands on experience and consistent growth within the business. Dan joined Guardian in 2019 as an electrician, bringing strong trade expertise from the outset, and went on to become Electrical Contracts Manager before stepping into his current role, delivering successful projects and managing contracts along the way. As Operations Manager, Dan now plays a key role in connecting business strategy with day-to-day delivery across teams, overseeing performance to ensure exceptional standards for clients, from field engineers to the office team. He also manages onboarding and HR processes, turning business goals into clear, actionable plans. Dan’s journey from electrician to Operations Manager demonstrates the kind of progression possible within Guardian, built on trade expertise, industry knowledge and strong leadership.
Reaching an 18-year work anniversary is a milestone that speaks volumes about dedication, and Kevin Wileman's journey with Guardian is one we're incredibly proud to celebrate. As our longest standing engineer, Kevin has built a depth of knowledge in heating and plumbing over the years, becoming a trusted presence within the team. His expertise has been shaped by almost two decades of hands-on experience, tackling countless jobs and building strong relationships with clients along the way. Having engineers of Kevin's experience within our team means our clients benefit from a level of skill and reliability that can only be earned through years of dedication. We're incredibly grateful for everything Kevin has contributed to the business, and we look forward to many more years working alongside him.
Lee Walker's journey with Guardian is a powerful example of what's possible when talent meets opportunity. Lee began his career at Guardian as an Air Conditioning Engineer and has worked his way up through the ranks with well-deserved success, taking on increasing responsibility along the way. Transitioning from the field to managing the PBSA sector, and now leading contracts and compliance, Lee has built a career defined by growth and genuine leadership. As National Contracts and Compliance Manager, Lee collaborates closely with the management team to ensure exceptional service delivery across the business and takes the lead in implementing health and safety policies and procedures. Dedicated to driving business growth and success, Lee is always finding the best solutions for our clients, and his story reflects the kind of career progression we're proud to offer within Guardian.
