Chris Lewis Group - Our History

At the forefront of technology for nearly 30 years

Established in 1993 as Chris Lewis Security Services, Chris Lewis Group has had a long and exciting history. With nearly 30 years of experience in the fire and security industry, we have worked hard to continually enhance and improve homes, businesses, and schools across the UK.

We have grown swiftly with innovation at the forefront, always keeping on top of the latest technology and trends and beginning Chris Lewis Smart Home (formerly Lewis Building Technology) in 2008.

Our History

A timeline of events

1993

The year it all began. Chris Lewis Group was founded as Chris Lewis Security Services in 1993. This same year saw us hire our first engineer, join the ECA, and design a 31-day video management system with a support contract, which was sold to Oxford Security Services.

1994

Within a year, we had 100 clients, dedicated on-call engineers, and 24-hour service. In this same year we built our first website and developed the Chris Lewis Video Management System.

1998

At the 5-year mark, with home CCTV systems being installed and a major investment in Yellow Pages adverts, we received the Investors in People Award. Over the years we have also received NACOSS Approval in 1997 and introduced a company staff life insurance policy benefit in the same year, which is still in place today!

2000

Over the last couple of years, we had grown quickly, reaching 10 employees. This enabled us to successfully take over the contract of Oxford University’s CCTV system, sparking the beginning of a strong business relationship that is still intact to this day. In 1999, we were awarded the NSI Gold achievement and were appointed to the Electrical Association Security Steering Group. To mark the beginning of a new millennium, and to accommodate our quickly growing team, we moved office into a converted house and started an Apprentice Program, encouraging young, enthusiastic learners into the business.

2003

By our 10-year anniversary, Chris Lewis had achieved a business growth of 20%, moving offices to Cowley Unit 3 in the same year. Over the last few years, we had introduced the first ever mobile call dockets in 2001, an idea commissioned by us personally, and we also welcomed a new IT Director, Justin Rhodes, in 2002. During this time, we had also created a major projects division, moved to a Windows database, undertaken a first install of a Digital Video Recorder, established the first Chris Lewis newsletter, and created separate teams for customer service and engineering.

2006

Over the next few years, we established ourselves as industry professionals in Fire & Security, winning the IT Initiative Award at the National Security Excellence awards, presented at Hilton Park Lane, in 2004. 2006 saw a rebranding to Chris Lewis Fire & Security from Chris Lewis Security Services, documenting a new and exciting beginning for our future.

2008

By 2008, we had won the Large Security Installer of the Year award at the Security Excellence Awards and had been awarded a contract for the most expensive redevelopment of a resident’s property in London ever, now thought to be valued at £500 million. With leaps in technology constantly being made, including the introduction of touch screen technology in 2005 and the creation of the first iPhone in 2007, it was time for a change. In 2008, Chris Lewis Fire & Security founded Lewis Building Technology and started design on the first smart home show house.

2013

After 20 years in business Chris Lewis rebranded to Chris Lewis Group. The years leading up to this brought many awards and achievements, including: a CIEDA Membership in 2009 which then enabled us to win the Best Dressed Rack CIEDA Award in 2011, the Best Major Project award at the Fire Excellence Awards in 2010, with two apprentices winning Apprentices of the Year at the National Security Exhibition in the same year, and the Investors in People Gold award in 2011. In 2011, we also opened the first Meridian Showroom in Europe, expanding their smart home technology’s reach.

2015

In 2015, Chris Lewis took Control4 as a major platform for Smart Home, marking a moment of huge innovation and change in the world of smart technology. In this same year we started customer feedback electronic replies and Chris Lewis himself became one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in Security and Fire- 2015 IFSEC Global.

2016

In 2016, Chris Lewis became The Chris Lewis Group as part of a new rebranding, this merged the two halves of the business – Smart Home and Fire & Security. We were also nominated over 25 times to be finalists in the UK Fire and Security Awards and completed the St Anthony’s College Investcorp Building, designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid.

2018

Once we accomplished 25-years in business, after winning contracts for the historical royal palaces in 2017, we completed the Beecroft Building for Oxford University, with 2 more apprentices winning Apprentices of the Year at the National Security Exhibition in the same year.

2020

After the appointment of Luke Lewis-Rippington as Commercial Director in 2019, and with a huge background of nearly 30 years in the Fire and Security Sector, we are constantly innovating, growing, and providing exceptional customer service. With a Cloud Service Platform being introduced and customer service ticketing being established, even in 2020 we were well-equipped to guide customers in all their fire, security, and smart technology needs. Our expertise, innovation, and unparalleled customer service sets us apart, driving Chris Lewis through into 2021 and all future endeavours.

2022

In 2022 The Chris Lewis Group is continuing to ensure we exceed customer expectations and deliver exceptional customer experiences. We have also begun to turn our attention to the future of not only our business but also our planet, by committing to being carbon Net Zero by 2030.