G4S chief is Thurrock man (From Thurrock Gazette)

G4S chief is Thurrock man

12:23pm Wednesday 18th July 2012 in News By Matt Abbott

THE man at the heart of the Olympics security fiasco grew up in Corringham.

Nick Buckles, 51, is the chief executive of security firm G4S, who won the £274million contract to secure the London Olympic games.

But it emerged in the last week that the firm has failed to hire enough staff to secure the games, which start next Friday.

The company’s dramatic shortfall has meant that 3,500 troops are to be draughted in, with G4S set to lose more than £50million from a contract which should have made them £18million.

Buckles, the son of a dinner lady and a police officer who served at Grays station, moved to Corringham in 1969, at around the age of eight. He went to Giffards Junior School before moving on to Gable Hall High School, as it was then known, in 1972.

It is thought Buckles then went to Palmers College before studying business at Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry.

While at school, he played cricket, but was also a keen footballer and West Ham United fan.

Buckles’ first job was as an analyst for Avon Cosmetics.

In the past, he has told reporters he took up his job at Securicor after getting a company car. He was made chief executive of the company in 2002, overseeing the merging of Securicor and Group 4 Falck in 2004, and subsequently leading the G4S group.

On Tuesday Buckles, who could pocket £20million in salary and shares pay outs if he is forced to quit, faced a grilling from MPs.

Speaking beforehand about soldiers who are to give up their time to secure the games following the G4S shambles, Buckles said: “We are very grateful they are here to give us support and we are very sorry they have had to give up their leave.”

When challenged by the Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday, Buckles said the firm “regrets” signing the contract.