Tribute From Michael Dufton

Tribute From Michael Dufton - Ex Group 4 Employee

Not only did JPS create a large multinational company which eventually had a presence on every continent, he also enabled many other people to realise their own goals and ambitions.

JPS did this not only by his own ingenuity and ideas, but also by giving to his management and staff a significant freedom to do what they thought was right for both the customer and the company.

He was able to get the most out of people and at the same time remain essentially human and concerned for the individual. In talking about him with other friends, it was often the small details of his kindness and thought for others which have struck us all.

The other remarkable achievement was to create one of the most "extended families” within one of the largest employers in the industrial world. JPS managed to create a sense of personal loyalty which was quite infectious. If he ever asked us to walk across hot coals, there would have been few of us who would have hesitated.

JPS was able to bring about a sense of fun and adventure in projects and initiatives, which made it a real pleasure to work for him, his “extended family” and his group.

His passing has brought a number of us together again, as it did whilst we worked in his company.

His legacy is not only a great company but also the employees who worked for him, and their skill and expertise will live on in his company and beyond it.

Michael Dufton

Tribute from Roy Stemman

Tribute from Roy Stemman - Editor of various Group 4 publications, including “Group 4 International” and now “G4S International”

I have so many happy memories of working with JPS that it is difficult to know where to begin. He was, without doubt – as others have said in their tributes – a giant of a man, who built the world’s biggest security organisation with vision and determination. And his sense of humour was always in evidence, even during difficult times.

Another of his many qualities was an understanding of the importance of communication. He did that extremely well personally, as those who heard him speak publicly can testify, but he also knew that he needed to use the published word to reach a wider audience. That’s where I came in – in late 1973 – as a consultant to Group 4, writing and editing its largely UK-based internal magazine.

As well as promoting his own business he used the magazine to influence the UK security industry as a whole, campaigning for legislation and encouraging it to adopt his own values.

When we launched "Group 4 International" in 1991, to start reporting on the company’s rapid expansion, everything moved up a couple of gears for me, though it was just JPS’s normal pace. To collect material for the first couple of issues I accompanied him on one of his trips. We visited four countries – Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Malta – in as many days. And while I familiarised myself with what had been achieved so far, JPS attended board meetings planning future developments. How he maintained that pace throughout the year I’ll never know.

I accompanied him on many other trips and was privileged to be in at the beginning of his new operations in eastern European. I also accompanied him to the Indian company, in which he took immense pride. Two things impressed me about those visits.

Firstly, when we visited the biggest contracts, the first people JPS wanted to speak with were the security officers on duty. He never tired of reminding us that they were the backbone of the company. He often said that security was "a people business" and he was certainly "a people person".

Secondly, with some of his new European ventures, things may not have gone quite according to plan and the management occasionally tried to gloss over this fact. It never worked.

I remember the managing director of one joint venture talking very enthusiastically about the business and pointing to an array of freshly-printed charts and graphs covering the walls. JPS listened patiently and then asked why there wasn’t a graph showing one particular key performance figure. People looked at each other in astonishment and offered a flustered explanation, but he’d immediately put his finger on the one weak point. No doubt that was discussed at length behind closed doors at the board meeting.

Then, of course, came the sailing years and I found myself following not only JPS but the "Group 4" yacht around the world, interviewing its skipper Mike Golding and its crew members about their adventures and misadventures, and particularly their triumphs.

I was astonished when, in my first interview with Golding, he told me that people would be able to follow the yacht’s progress on the internet and know exactly where it would be at any time. How, I asked, would that be possible?

“I’m going to have JPS attached to the mast,” he replied.

For just a few moments, the absurd picture of the chairman strapped to the mast calling out coordinates flashed through my mind. I knew he was passionate about sailing, but surely that was going too far. It turned out, of course, that I had misheard Golding. It was GPS not JPS that would be communicating the information.

My most treasured memories of those times was seeing JPS, with tears in his eyes, throwing bottles of champagne to the skipper and crew after they had crossed the line on various legs of their tremendous round-the-world races.

Like most of us who were lucky to be part of the Group 4 adventure, I guess I took much of it for granted. Looking back, I now realise that this extraordinary man was making history and I was privileged to be writing some of its pages.

Thank you, Philip, for your loyalty over more than three decades and for being such an inspiration to me and countless others. You leave behind an astonishing legacy and a deep feeling of loss in all our hearts.

Tribute by Anders Wallin

A tribute by Anders Wallin, Retired ex Personnel Director Group 4 and Group Human Resource Director Global Solutions.

I first met Philip at his father’s 60th birthday at Blommerod in Sweden.  It was a memorable experience meeting the family on this occasion.  A number of years later after having joined the Securitas group, as the business was then called, I contacted Philip about a job opportunity in England. 

I remember when he showed me around Farncombe House in 1974 driving a white Cooper S car and how he assisted my wife and I when we arrived in England to start my work with Group 4.

My Group 4 experience has been an extraordinary life experience, having spent some 34 years with the business.  The work experience around Philip, which I was party to, was eventful and most enjoyable.  His vision and determination to go where he wanted to go has been an experience which I will never forget.   He had an ability to make things happen which normally wouldn't. 

He also had an exceptional ability to build and retain a team of exceptional business talent which has given me, and I am sure many of my ex-colleagues, great enjoyment and reward over the years.  I for one would not be able to enjoy my retirement as I now can without having been part of what Philip created. 

Philip - I thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of your business, for having been able to work with you in person on a number of projects and for having been able to work with the very exceptional team you built around you. 

I will always remember you and will always be grateful for what you did for me.

Dean Close School Speech Added

Dean Close School, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, had and still has, and important role in the Philip-Sorensen Family.

In June 2007 Jorgen Philip-Sorensen was asked to speak at their Commemoration. This speech has now been added to this site. 

JPS Memorial Twitter and RSS feeds set up

The site has now set up a twitter and and RSS feed.

• The RSS feed will provide you with update on all new post being created in the news section.
• The twitter account will include all news updates and also new page updates.

Tribute from Linda Sharpe

Tribute from Linda Sharpe, former Group 4 HR Manager and Manager of the International Resource Centre at Broadway, now Non-Executive Director of the Security Industry Authority.

One of JPS’ greatest legacies was his belief that his security personnel should be well trained and made to feel valued. His training school at Broadway was a testament to this. Over more than three decades thousands of security personnel, from humble security guards starting out in their new job to experienced security managers and professionals, spent days, sometimes weeks learning their trade on the Broadway estate. What they were taught, whether security specific subjects or general management training, became affectionately known as the ‘Group 4 Way’.

As Group 4 expanded its businesses during the 1990’s JPS realised that his ’Group 4 Way’ of doing business was exportable across national boundaries and different cultures. He loved visiting his companies always insisting that he should meet and chat to the security officers. He was genuinely interested in what they did and how well they had been trained.

In 1993 JPS established his International Resource Centre (IRC) at Broadway, a security library and learning centre, which was to provide information and business know-how to his UK and international companies world-wide. It was a unique facility at that time, enjoyed by many and particularly those studying for security qualifications or carrying out research. JPS took at active interest, visiting regularly, reviewing the information being sent out and, most importantly, checking that the library books were maintained in straight, tidy rows on the shelves!

JPS’ commitment to the personal development of his people was further demonstrated by his sponsorship of a yacht in the Challenge Series of round the world yacht races. This gave members of his international companies who were lucky enough to be selected, the opportunity of an unique experience in personal development and team building.

JPS had the foresight to see that those who deliver private security activities would need to become the trained and qualified professionals that they are today. He campaigned tirelessly for regulation in the UK and it is no surprise that the current requirements for training for a security guard licence are based on the original Group 4 training programmes. Three years ago he was a major contributor to setting up of the Sørensen Centre at Skills for Security in Worcester, once more ensuring that those who want to make a career in security have access to learning and information.

As an HR professional I feel very privileged to have worked for JPS and to have played a part in his vision for the professionalisation of our industry.

A Letter to Philip - Jens Stadum

As a lawyer in Skagen, Denmark, I have had the pleasure to work for and with JPS for many years. At his funeral in Skagen I had prepared a short letter, which I had written to him. But there where so many people, and at Ruth's Hotel we where in so many rooms, that it was impossible for me to read the letter for the many guests.

My letter to JPS is as follows:

Dear Philip,

So we meet again in Gl. Skagen (the older part of Skagen), although this time not at your office in Vagthuset (the watch house), where we’ve met on a number of occasions during your visits in Skagen, but this time we meet just a stone’s throw away. In fact, this is also our last meeting, which is not easy at all.

Everybody in Skagen knows about your enormous importance and influence on the develop-ment here in Skagen, and the commercial opportunities brought to this small town farthest out in Denmark solely because of you. You’ve developed business activities, as only you could do and by virtue of your financial resources.

This is, however, not the major thing for me right now. Most important are my gratitude and my affection for having been allowed to work for you and getting to know you so well. The way you used to consider your prospects for the future instead of acting on a short view has had a great influence on the way I now try to think and act, so you’ve indeed been a most inspiring and forward-minded mentor to me. Surely, I shall miss our informal meetings and phone calls, but if I’ve anything to say, I’ll do my best to ensure that the business activities are continued in the way you’ve taught us.

Everything will indeed be much more difficult when you’re not around anymore. When I joined the boards in some of you companies here in Skagen, I asked you what you expected of me and what overall guidelines you wished me to follow. You told me that so far I did not need to think very much for myself, as long as I did what you asked me to do. And I’ve kept on doing so for many years now, and I’ll continue to act as I think you would expect me to.

If there is one thing I feel particularly sad about, it is that you were always so damned busy. You had never arrived before you had to leave again, and you always had thousands of things on your mind and a tough daily program. Although we’ve had many pleasant moments to-gether, we should have met more frequently and enjoyed our time together even more. We never succeeded in having coffee in the finished house in Hulsig and never got around to the Copenhagen Jazz House or the opera event in Knud’s and Marin’s apartment. Our business visions may very well be directed towards the future, but our social contacts with each other should never be postponed.

Thank you for many years of friendship, says a humble lawyer from Skagen, where you placed such a great part of your heart.

You, and what you gave me, will always be clear as a bell within me, and I shall never forget but always remember with the greatest gratitude.

With love from Jens

Tribute From Grahame Gibson

Grahame Gibson, Chief Operating Officer G4S plc

I received a phone call on January 18th from David Hudson - I couldn't take it at the time - David called again and I knew ... somehow I knew ... Philip had passed away.

His passing was confirmed and I felt empty. We knew Philip was not well - we knew he had been suffering but when the time came it was like a sledge-hammer on my head - a deep shock. I knew Philip as a boss, a friend, my Chairman for 27 years - more than a lifetime for many a relationship. I was side by side with him on the amazing roller-coaster ride of Group 4's expansion, through our 'affair' with Securitas, through our New Market development, through a merger with Falck and the ultimate creation of Group 4 Securicor - G4S.

Philip, we did it !!! We created the leading security company in the world and you were alive to see it, to savour it, to reflect on it.

Of course, it was Philip's drive & vision that achieved it. A number of us helped (and hindered), supported, advised, argued along the way but he was so determined to open Group 4 everywhere in the world he could start a security business. Many a competitor ridiculed him at the time - who's laughing now ? Philip, I think, as he looks down and reflects on his great handiwork.

People say it's the end of an era, the end of a long chapter; for me it feels like the end of the book. I turned over the last page on January 18th, the day after my 57th birthday. My life has been inextricably entwined with JPS and Group 4 through those 27 years. Broadway, The Hague, Vienna, Copenhagen and many a city in many a country during many a year.

I wouldn't be married to my wife Jinnie if it wasn't for JPS and the BT Global Challenge and the yacht Group 4 - I wouldn't have two adorable young children (George & Josephine) but for JPS and the Challenge - children of the Challenge ! I have to open a new book of my life, many of us do - a daunting task - quite scary really - life without Philip being around.

Philip, I am sure you'll be guiding us from wherever you are, making sure your spirit lives on within the company, the world-beating company you created over these many years.

Philip, thank you for everything.

Grahame Gibson Chief Operating Officer G4S plc

Obituary by Kirsten Toxværd

This obitutuary was written by Kirsten Toxværd, former  Director of the Copenhagen City, Chairman, Helsingør. It was published Berlingske Tidende (Danish newspaper) on Friday 29 January 2010 

The life and career of Nils Jørgen Philip-Sørensen is known by many. Less known is the man behind.

From his early childhood, the centre of his life was Vagtselskabet Svenske Securitas – founded and owned by his father, Erik Philip Sørensen. He had to learn the business from scratch and Philip served as a night guard in Belgium. He founded the Belgian company, then went to England where Group 4 was started. At the same time he started a family with his first wife, Ingrid, with whom he had four children and 12 grandchildren.

Philip was a man of visions and nontraditional ideas. He was the first to replace the anonymous dark vans for cash in transit with shiny white vans flashing a large company logo. He was the first to renew the penitentiary system in Australia and the UK, with respect to the operation as well as to the conditions of the prisoners.

Group 4 participated in the big British Steel around-the-world sail with a good result. Philip saw the publicity value as well as the value of corporate spirit. Employees were able to keep up to date with bulletins from the race every day.

His incentives were service, entrepreneurship and curiosity - combined with insistence on high quality in everything he did. It was no surprise that he bought the Dormy House luxury hotel in England and developed a large conference centre with Ingrid as its manager.

Philip had the overall view as well as a sense of detail. He remembered every name and had an almost photographic brain for things and arrangements.

He did indeed dress nonchalantly, he was on Christian name terms with everybody, but one should not doubt his swift perception and assessment of people. Informal, humorous, self-ironic, but also aware of his capability. He possessed great generosity, but he never flaunted it.

He was the centre of his large family, since 1997 including his wife Susse and her family. Festive seasons were always celebrated in England with both families, and each summer everybody met in Skagen.

Thank you, Philip, for 50 years of friendship.

You were a man of the world, but first and foremost you were a gentleman, and the world will miss you.

Tribute by Waldemar Schmidt (English & Danish)

(This tribute has been written in English and Danish, which can be seen further below)

Jorgen Philip Sorensen is no longer amongst us.

The Sorensen family has lost their patriarch and his wife Susse Philip Sorensen has lost her beloved husband. And the Service Industry has lost its Grand Old Man.

I have had the great privilege to know Philip for a generation. First as a cunning and highly respected colleague in the service industry. Later as a board member of his beloved security company and as a good friend.

Philip was a born self made global entrepreneur with vast interests. The creation of the world’s largest security company. G4S (Group 4 Securicor) with more than 600.000 employees in more than 100 countries was undoubtedly Philips master piece. Something that would have made his father and grand father proud. They were the service entrepreneurs of their time and founded ISS and “Swedish Securitas” respectively.

While Group 4’s major competitors acquired security companies at high prices in Europe and America, Philip established Group 4 subsidiaries in many fast growing new world countries with his cunning strategy. Philip achieved his  life’s ambition through the mergers with Falck and Securicor: to become chairman and largest shareholder of the world’s largest security company.

Philip was rightly very proud of all his subsidiaries. In October last year I had the pleasure of visiting G4S in India together with Philip on the occasion of the subsidiary’s 20th anniversary. G4S India has experienced an explosive growth and is today a very professional company with about 130.000 employees, something I saw that Philip rightly was really proud of.

The ability to attract competent people all over the world at all levels and the courage to give them responsibility, is among the explanations of Philip’s quiet success as a global entrepreneur. But also the combination of “sense of the detail” and “we must have fun” was among Philips secrets.

While Philip preferred to stay out of the lime light, his deeds have not gone unnoticed. In 2001 he was thus bestowed with the British CBE order (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) and in 2008, Queen Margrethe awarded him with The Order of Dannebrog.

Family, friends, colleagues and business associates will all miss Philip. But his very unique spirit will continue to live wherever he has been active.

Honoured to be his memorial.

Waldemar Schmidt

Ex Group Chief Executive of ISS 

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Jørgen Philip Sørensen er ikke mere.

Familien Sørensen har mistet sin patriark og hans hustru Susse Philip Sørensen har mistet sin elskede mand.

Og servicebranchen har mistet sin "Grand Old Man".

Jeg har haft det store privilegium at kende Philip i en menneskealder. Først som en snu og højt respekteret kollega i servicebranchen. Siden som bestyrelsesmedlem i hans elskede sikkerhedsselskab og som en god ven.

Philip var en gudsbenådet self-made global entrepreneur med mange interesser. Skabelsen af verdens største sikkerhedsselskab, G4S (Group4 Securicor) med over 600.000 medarbejdere i mere end 100 lande var uden tvivl Philips mesterværk. Noget som hans farfar og far ville have været meget stolte over. De var datidens service-entrepreneurer og lagde grunden til henholdsvis ISS og "Svenske Securitas".

Mens Group 4's store internationale konkurrenter opkøbte sikkerhedsselskaber til høje priser i Europa og USA, startede Philip med sin snu strategi Group4-datterselskaber i mange hurtigtvoksende lande i den nye verden. Gennem fusionerne med Falck og Securicor opnåede Philip i 2004 sit livs ambition: at blive største aktionær og bestyrelsesformand i verdens største sikkerhedskoncern, G4S.

Philip var med god grund meget stolt af alle sine mange datterselskaber. I oktober sidste år havde jeg den store fornøjelse at være med Philip paa besøg hos G4S i Indien i anledning af datterselskabets 20-års jubilæum. G4S Indien har oplevet en eksplosiv vækst og er med sine ca. 130.000 ansatte en højprofessionel virksomhed, som jeg oplevede at Philip med rette var særlig stolt af.

Evnen til at tiltrække dygtige medarbejdere overalt i verden paa alle niveauer og modet til at give dem ansvar, er blandt forklaringerne paa Philips stille success som global entrepreneur. Men ogsaa kombinationen af “sans for detaljen” og "vi skal have det sjovt" har været blandt Philips hemmeligheder.

Selvom Philip helst levede udenfor rampelyset, er hans gerninger ikke gået upåagtet hen. I 2001 blev han således tildelt den engelske CBE-orden (Commander of the Order of the British Empire)   og i 2009 blev han tildelt  Ridderkorset af Dronning Margrethe.

Familie, venner, kolleger og forretningsforbindelser vil alle savne Philip. Men hans helt særlige ånd vil fortsat leve overalt, hvor han har haft sit virke.

 Æret være hans minde.