About us - Overview DNA dynasty

The DNA of a Dynasty

Our Success Story

After identifying an opportunity to consolidate the fragmented private security industry, Stephan Crétier founded GardaWorld (then Trans-Quebec Security Inc.) in 1995 with a $25,000 investment derived from a second mortgage on his home. Only a few years later, the company was making $40 million annually in revenue. Over the past 25+ years, he has built one of the world’s largest security services companies organically and through strategic M&A.

Mr. Crétier remains a highly-driven and engaged entrepreneur leading a strong bench of exceptionally talented and empowered managers. GardaWorld differentiates itself through a unique performance-based culture with strict accountability for operational performance. The company adheres to a deep ownership mentality with management holding a majority equity ownership stake in the business.

1995

Founding

Trans-Quebec Security Inc. is founded by Stephan Crétier with an initial investment of $25,000. The company completed its first year of operations with C$600,000+ in revenue.

1999

Canadian Expansion

Trans-Quebec Security changed its name to Trans-Canada Security Corporation and went public on the Alberta Stock Exchange (now the TSV Venture). The company completed its first acquisition - Admari Group in Quebec City.

1999

Renamed GardaWorld

Trans-Canada Security Corporation acquired Garda Security Group, one of the leading security providers in Eastern Canada at the time. The combined entity became Garda World Security Corporation.

2003

Initial Public Offering

GardaWorld began publicly trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker "GW" with its Class "A" shares trading at C$1.35 per share.

2003

GardaWorld Cash is created

The company entered the cash handling services market with the acquisition of Secur, the $48M armored truck division of the Quebec credit union Desjardins. This was GardaWorld’s ninth acquisition and gave the company a strong position in Eastern Canada.

2004

GardaWorld Aviation is created

GardaWorld began its partnership with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), after winning the contract to perform pre-boarding security screening at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The company now operates a world class screening and security operation, responsible for 50% of Canada's airports.

2006

Expansion into the Middle East

The company's protection services were expanded throughout the Middle East by merging the high-threat operations of Vance International and Kroll Security International.

2006

Expansion of GardaWorld Cash

With the acquisition of seven local operators, GardaWorld continued the expansion and consolidation of its Cash services presence in the Midwestern United States.

2010

Founding signatory of ICoC charter

In Switzerland, GardaWorld was a founding signatory of the Steering Committee for the final negotiations of the Charter to form the Oversight Mechanism of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC). As such, the company became a board member of the Committee.

2012

Privatization of GardaWorld

GardaWorld is taken private by a group led by GardaWorld’s Founder, Chairman and CEO Stephan Crétier and the financial backing from a leading private equity investment group, Apax Partners.

2012

Recognized for exceptional achievements

Founder and CEO Stephan Crétier is the recipient of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II Medal.

2013

Acquisitions and consolidation

GardaWorld Security continues its consolidation of the Canadian market with the strategic acquisitions of Intercon Security and Total Security Management.
Market consolidation. Meanwhile, GardaWorld Cash signs a 12-year, $1.4 billion strategic agreement with Bank of America to manage its cash processing and check imaging services in 32 locations across the USA. More than 1,000 Bank of America employees joined GardaWorld as a result.

2014

Acquisition of G4S Cash Solutions in Canada

GardaWorld Cash integrates 2,400 employees to its operations with this acquisition.

2015

Africa and Middle East Expansion

GardaWorld acquires Aegis Group, a leading provider of highly specialized protective services, expanding its presence across 10 African and Middle Eastern markets.

2016

Increasing presence in Africa

GardaWorld entered into an agreement in June for the acquisition of KK Security to further increase its presence in Africa.

2017

Securing long-term growth

The purchase of all GardaWorld shares previously held by Apax Partners is completed by Stephan Crétier and Rhône Group. In parallel with the transaction, GardaWorld announces the securing of $2.2 billion CDN in refinancing for its credit facilities and senior notes.

2018

Expansion across the United States

Significant expansion in security services in the United States with the purchase of United American Security LLC (UAS), which has 24 branches and 3,600 employees in 16 states. This acquisition allows GardaWorld to develop a North American security services platform.
The company also acquires NYA, a global risk and crisis management consultancy with one of the largest and most experienced crisis intervention teams in the world.

2019

Additional expansion in U.S. and Europe

GardaWorld acquires Whelan Security, a leading security player, significantly expanding GardaWorld's U.S. presence with 34 branches and 10,000 employees across 31 US states. Additional acquisitions of ECAMSECURE in the U.S. and Drum Cussac in the U.K.

2019

Acquisition of ECAMSECURE

A pioneer in technology-based mobile surveillance and access control in the United States.

2019

Recapitalization of GardaWorld

Founder, Chairman & CEO Stephan Crétier and BC Partners complete recapitalization of GardaWorld for C$5.2 billion, marking the largest private buyout in Canadian history.

2020

Creating Crisis24

GardaWorld Travel Security joined forces with Drum Cussac, NYA and FAM International Security to take risk management to the next level as new brand Crisis24.

2021

Creating an operational medical and protection powerhouse

Under the Crisis24 brand, GardaWorld acquires EXOP Group, a German-based risk management company, Patriot Group Global, a high-end security provider for Fortune 500 companies and private family offices, and Collinson's Corporate Medical Assistance by Crisis24.

2022

Strategic partnership for Crisis24

Partnership with Palantir Technologies Inc. to revolutionize security and risk management in the 21st century.

2022

Creation of Sesami

An innovative company in the integrated and dynamic optimization of the cash ecosystem, operating as an independent entity of GardaWorld.

2023

Launch of Crisis24 Horizon

Designed and operated by Crisis24, it is the world's most comprehensive security and risk management platform, developed entirely with in-house expertise.

2024

Private Strategic Group

Creation of the new Crisis24 Private Strategic Group division by combining elite global medical concierge practice with personal protection services.

2024

Acquisition of OnSolve

GardaWorld acquires OnSolve, joins the business with Crisis24 and creates the most advanced and comprehensive risk management offering on the market.

1995 - Founding

Trans-Quebec Security Inc. is founded by Stephan Crétier with an initial investment of $25,000. The company completed its first year of operations with C$600,000+ in revenue.

Businesses

GardaWorld companies disrupt markets and dislocate competitors

We enter new markets only to lead them. Our businesses are dominant forces in their respective verticals and regions.

GardaWorld Security logo
Crisis24 logo
EcamSecure logo
Sesami logo
BEST
GardaWorld Federal logo
GardaWorld Cash
Talentworld logo
About Us - Entrepreneurial track record

Proven track record

Value creation is our habit and history

Our committed and entrepreneurial management team has generated a strong internal rate of return since our privatization in 2012. We know how to deliver results. We have a proven growth profile and leading margins in a sector with immunity against economic cycles. We also have a track record of finding precursory trends, trailblazing technical innovation and diligently allocating capital to build industry champions.

GardaWorld Leadership Team

Led by a high-performing team of owner-operators

Committed to strong governance, our management team of owner-operators is relentless in its entrepreneurial spirit and customer-first approach.

“Everybody loves a great success story, and ours is one of the most compelling and inspiring around. It’s a story about the entrepreneurial spirit.”

Stephan Crétier

Founder, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Ambitious applicants wanted

GardaWorld Investors- Promo