Meet The Team

Senior Leadership Team

Stuart Lodge

CEO

Stuart Lodge is the grandson of the founder of Lodge Service, and started with the company in 1987. He has worked in all divisions of business including overseas branches (Spain, Ireland, South Africa) and sister businesses (US). Acquired various businesses: Eclipse, Ladbroke, Endeavour, Guardhall, Education & Carer screening, Lodge Security South Africa, Lodge Events South Africa. Stuart is also honourable Member of Guild of Security Professionals. Stuart enjoys horse-riding, Chelsea FC and racing cars.

Darren Conway

Group Managing Director

Darren has operated at senior risk management levels for many international brands for over 30 years. With the detailed knowledge and experience gained, Darren ensures Lodge Service remain at the forefront of Elite Security services, driving innovation, service deliver and collaboration. No puffery, just straight-talking honesty solutions.

Andy Cockerill

Managing Director – Lodge Security

Andrew has worked for Lodge for over 18 years joining the business straight from college as a Security Officer in one of our high street retail stores, before progressing to multiple leading roles across our Elite Security Teams managing our clients flagship properties. Andrew’s passion is delivering an honest and excellent service we can all be proud of and taking our colleagues on that journey with pride too, he has built long lasting and strong bonds with clients through this exceptional and honest delivery which forms part of Lodge’s core values of ‘trust, transparency and integrity’ today.

James Mannerson

Group Finance Director

James joined the team in 2018 and is CIMA-qualified with nearly 20 years of accounting experience across various industries. James is responsible for all aspects of finance and payroll within the company, and ensuring the achievement of the company’s long term strategy and success.

Jenni Jetzer

Group People Director

Jenni is actively involved in various security-related organizations and initiatives. She serves as a board member on the City Security Councils ED&I Board, where she focuses on promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the security industry. Additionally, she is a board member of The Women’s Security Society, an organization that aims to support and empower women in the security sector.  In addition to her board memberships, Jenni is also a member of the SIA ED&I Forum.  Through her involvement in these organiaations, Jenni actively contributes to advancing the goals of promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion within the security sector.

Matthew Dyball

Managing Director South Africa

Matthew has worked within security, retail and FMCG manufacturing for the past 32 years and has successfully developed loss prevention solutions throughout the supply chain both internationally and in South Africa.  He started his career with the South African Police Service working in the Criminal Investigation Department before joining Lodge South Africa as the Loss Control Manager. He then moved to Gillette and Proctor & Gamble as the OSA Manager for 10 years in the Sub-Sahara Africa region before returning to work at Lodge Security.        

Liam Gleeson

Country Manager – Ireland

Liam joined Lodge Service over 20 years ago and has been active in the Irish security industry for over 30 years. He is a member of the Irish Security Institute and has a background in Shopping Centre and Retail security management. Our Irish operation provides services to many of our UK and European clients retail stores, construction sites and corporate offices based in the Republic of Ireland, with Liam providing the leadership and experience in the region, to comply with local laws, traditions, and standards. Liam has built up our Irish business by creating long term client relationships based on trust and transparency.

Heads of Department Team

Gareth Wooton

Head of Operations

Gareth has worked in the security industry for over 20 years, 10 of these with Lodge. Gareth has covered various positions across the sector, starting off as a Security Officer & Door Supervisor before progressing into Supervisory and Junior Management roles. Due to his experience in the industry and hard work, Gareth was given the opportunity to become Area Manager for the Midlands before progressing into the Head of Operations role where he has covered North, Central, and presently the South. Gareth’s passion and dedication to both Lodge and the industry is second to none, which has made him a fantastic people manager. Out of work Gareth is a huge Aston Villa fan and attends all home games as a season ticket holder.

Laura Cockerill

Head of Operation (North)

Laura has 14 years service with Lodge, starting as a uniformed officer in our retail division before moving in to a Store Detective role where she developed strong partnerships with West Yorkshire Police and Crime Prevention Partnerships. Laura successfully managed one of Lodge’s Flagship Properties in Leeds City Centre as GSM General Security Manager from the opening day, and has led multiple grand openings, events and VIP assignments since. As Head of Operations (North), Laura is a hard working and dedicated leader who through her experience on the front line, builds strong and trusted relationships with clients.

Heidi Laybourn

Partnership and Intelligence Manager

I’m Heidi, Partnership and Intelligence Manager here at Lodge Service. I’ve spent the majority of my career working in the retail industry, firstly leading from the front, managing successful stores before making the switch to HQ to contribute in building the loss prevention function. My experience gives me a solid grounding in what our customers expect in the security sector. I live and breathe all things data and thrive on connecting the dots to find comprehensive solutions using data led intelligence. I’m passionate about building networks across the sector, sharing trends and best practice whilst forging lasting partnerships.

Pete Thomas

Head of Profit Protection / Charity Lead

With over 40 years’ experience in public sector policing and commercial loss prevention, Pete has spent the last 18 years providing specialist support to the not-for-profit sector, working with major charities to reduce opportunities for internal and external theft. His unrivalled experience in this vital area justifiably merits the accolade of ‘expert in his field’.

A qualified football referee and avid marathon runner (in his younger days!), Pete is a keen sportsman, albeit more watching than participating!

Chloe Thompson

GSOC and North Area Manager

Chloe has been in the Security Industry for 15 years, starting as a uniformed officer and Store Detective she is very proud of her ‘boots on the ground’ years as they gave her the experience and knowledge she carries today. Now Chloe manages our brand new GSOC – Global Security Operations Centre – delivering an advanced portfolio of innovative services to our clients whilst supporting our field teams with a equipped and ‘personal touch’ helpdesk function.

Lauren Parish

HR Advisor

Lauren joined Lodge Service on a Placement Year while studying Human Resource Management at University. Since then, she has progressed to HR Advisor, and graduated with First Class Honours and CIPD Level 5 accreditation. She is dedicated to providing HR support to the whole team at Lodge, with particular focus on the North of England and Scotland, and looks forward to developing further within the team. Outside of work, Lauren is a keen gardener and enjoys birdwatching.