A SECURITY firm renowned for keeping major sporting events safe has won another major deal.

The Protector Group is providing surveillance and staff to the World Equestrian Games, in Normandy.

The work comes after the company last month worked at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, delivering about 200 workers to look after an entertainment and music venue, an outdoor bowls arena and a 30-acre transport area.

Its work on the French equestrian spectacle, which features riders such as Olympic team eventing silver-medalist Nicola Wilson, from Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, follows its success in securing the 2010 event in the US.

The Gateshead-based company also previously supplied security cameras for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The equestrian contract comes as founder John Harvey returns to the company as chief executive, 20 years after launching the business.

Mr Harvey, a former Royal Marine, founded the firm in September 1994, and it now employs more than 200 workers, including 40 engineers at its Gateshead headquarters.

Mr Harvey said: “It’s great to be back at the helm, and even more so as it comes at a great time for the business successfully completing the Commonwealth Games contract.

“It was a superb demonstration of the capabilities we have in the company.

“The Games’ organisers have been in touch to thank us for exemplary performance and this follows similar comments we received after the London Olympics.

“Our reputation for undertaking these major jobs is helping us win legacy business as the new security contract for the equestrian games in France demonstrates.”

He also revealed its improved performance has seen sales rise from £6.2m to £6.9m for the year to September 30 2013, with revenues expected to hit £8.2m by the end of September this year.

Mr Harvey is supported by joint managing directors Derrick Halliwell and Ken Slater, working alongside chairman Lord Stevens.