Paul Macdonald

Connelly Group Holdings – known by its Connelly Security Systems brand – was established in Bishopbriggs in 1986 by brothers Jim, Pat and Paul Connelly. The group has acquired around 25 security businesses over the last quarter of a decade (Harper Macleod having acting on 11 of such acquisitions), with coverage across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ayrshire, Stirling and the Highlands.

The acquisition of Brookfield Alarms adds around 3500 customers to the Connelly Group Holdings business.

Johnstone-based Brookfield Alarms has been providing and installing intruder alarms, CCTV, fire alarms and door access systems to domestic and commercial customers across the west of Scotland for more than 40 years. The current owners Owners Robert and Elaine MacIntyre are retiring.

All of Brookfield Alarms’ staff – a combination of sales, engineering and support teams – are being retained and additional engineering resources will be recruited.

Paul Connelly, managing director of Connelly Group Holdings, said: “We are delighted the MacIntyres chose CGH to help look after their staff and customers after such a long journey. We are all looking forward to working together in the years ahead.”

Paul Macdonald, a corporate and M&A partner at Harper Macleod, who has worked with Mr Connelly on transactions over the last eight years, advised Connelly Group Holdings.

He said: “It was great to work with Paul Connelly again on another acquisition, which follows CGH’s growth strategy, and expands the group’s regional reach.

“Paul Connelly and his team have built one of Scotland’s largest security businesses, with more than 40,000 customers. A real family ethos continues to run through CGH in terms of its approach to customer service, but also its group businesses and potential partners.

“The security sector is consolidating as manufacturers, suppliers and installers look to integrate new technologies. We would expect this trend to continue into 2023 and beyond as international, national and regional operators look for growth opportunities.”

The deal is one of the first of the year for Harper Macleod’s corporate, commercial and regulatory team, following a busy 2022 during which the firm completed over 100 corporate deals.