THREE generations of the same family are making sure a Borders company is in safe hands as it head towards its 40th year in the security industry.

Fraser Wheelans, 17, joined dad, Alan, and grandfather, Jake, at the Selkirk-based Border Safeguard Ltd last month and is looking forward to contributing to the continuing success of the business.

Established in 1979 by Jake, Border Safeguard has outgrown three previous premises and since 2013 has been located at a refurbished operating facility at Ettrick Riverside.

Many of the staff have also been active in promoting the long-term success, some have been working with the company for over 30 years and the average length of service is 18 years.

“The development has been very fruitful in demonstrating the long-term goals of the business in responding to the needs and demands of the customer base right across Scotland,” said Jake, who began his career within the security and fire industry back in 1973.

During that time, he has advised thousands of businesses, large and small, and a great deal of many residential home owners on a variety of subjects pertaining to security and fire.

The patriarch of the company has always believed in providing a professional operation to customers and has strived to ensure the Company’s motto of being ‘a company built of personal service’ has remained the same today from when it was when it was first formed.

“It is great to have both Alan and Fraser on board. I believe there was a gap in the market for a family run company that was genuinely committed to customer service,” he added.

Jake, who became Provost of Selkirk in 2016, enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing and gardening. He also contributes to the successful running of various organizations and charitable associations within the town.

Although born and raised in Melrose, Jake is currently a serving member of the Common Riding Trust having been a long-time supporter of the Merchant Company.

In his youth, he excelled at rugby, playing as a free running fullback for both Selkirk Youth Rugby Club, Melrose and the South of Scotland.

Still today he supports local rugby in the region while even more so in particular supporting and focusing his efforts on the young people within the ranks of Selkirk Youth Rugby Club where he has served in one position or another for almost 30 years.

Alan has been with the company for 18 years, starting at the bottom and working his way up the ladder.

He has undertaken various roles within the company from that of fresh faced apprentice, to his current role as Operations Director.

A former Selkirk RFC player Alan currently coaches one of the Selkirk Rhinos successful mini rugby teams.

New kid on the block Fraser is currently getting to grips with the admin side of the business as Border Safeguard’s Digital Marketing/Social Media trainee apprentice.

He has also developed a newfound understanding of his elder relatives during his short time with the company.

“Sometimes my granddad can be set in his ways however this is not always a bad thing as I still see that some of the older ways are the best,” he said.

“Dad has now given me the job of making the teas and coffees which is hard going as he drinks a lot of tea and he can be a bit on edge when you don’t make it the right way.”

Border Safeguard Ltd have now set their stall out for continuing to develop and commit to customers old and new over their next five-year business plan.