ERS named Telstra WA business of the year

Last year's Business News Rising Stars winner, emergency response and security services provider Executive Risk Solutions, has taken the top prize as the 2015 Telstra Western Australian business of the year.

The awards were announced at Crown Perth last night, with ERS chief executive Scott Houston accepting the award with his wife and business services director, Fiona Houston.

After serving in senior military roles, Mr Houston set up his risk management venture in 2008, recruiting staff experienced in police, military special forces and fire and emergency services to work for Australia’s largest companies in the resources and oil and gas sectors.

The business has a peak workforce of 110 and offices domestically and in Dubai, and has won operational contracts ranging from security for the Roy Hill project in the Pilbara to emergency services at the Port of Geraldton.

“My life experiences assisted me greatly in shaping my business based on military values and standards,” Mr Houston said.

“My background in the SAS ensured that I always approached every task with a can-do attitude.”

Mr Houston said providing 24-hour coverage in remote areas, particularly within the worldwide mining, oil and gas sectors, ERS differentiates itself by offering high quality personnel and tailoring solutions to the operational needs of its clients.

Other winners of the Telstra WA business awards last night included Karratha engineering and construction services business KBSS Engineering, Perth law practice Fordham & Roast, workplace injuries claims service injuryConnect, and Albany whisky manufacturers Great Southern Distilling Company.

KBSS is a machining and mechanical services company based in Karratha and currently employs around 50 local staff.

The company provides a range of specialised services to the mining, oil, gas and marine sectors.

Founded in 2012 with two employees, KBSS has operated in WA, Queensland, India and Colombia. 

In 2013, a team of 12 KBSS workers won a contract to help build the conveyor systems on the new wharf at Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert iron ore port.

Major projects include a current $8.2 million contract with Laing O’ Rourke and the completion of a $7.1 million contract for John Holland for providing mechanical services at Cape Lambert Port. 

Telstra business group managing director Will Irving said the winners were being celebrated for innovation, industry and leadership, creative use of technology and their contribution to the local economy.

“ERS is an authentic, rapidly-growing business with very strong financials and a pragmatic strategy,” he said.

“It is diversifying its services to mitigate risk while focusing on international expansion.”