90 Seconds With Mike Newson, Stadium Support Services’ New Fire Safety Division

We sat down with Mike Newson, Head of Fire Safety at Stadium Support Services, to talk about the new Fire Safety Division and what it means for commercial buildings and stadiums.

Ready? Let’s go.

Q: Mike, Stadium Support Services has just launched a dedicated Fire Safety  Division. What’s the thinking behind it?

Fire safety has always been a huge priority, but now more than ever, businesses are under pressure to meet tougher regulations and ensure compliance. Stadiums and commercial buildings are high-risk environments, and the consequences of getting it wrong are serious. Our new division is all about helping clients stay compliant, reduce risk, and put the right fire safety measures in place before problems arise. 

Q: Let’s talk about fire doors. How important are they in the bigger fire safety picture?

Fire doors are absolutely critical. They’re the first line of defence in stopping fire and smoke from spreading. But just having them in place isn’t enough—they need to be installed correctly, regularly inspected, and properly maintainedto do their job. That’s where we come in. We make sure fire doors meet the right standards, keep them in good working order, and carry out inspections to flag any issues before they become a problem.

Q: And beyond fire doors, what else does the Fire Safety Division cover? 

A big part of what we do is passive fire protection, which means focusing on measures that stop fire from spreading within a building. That includes fire stopping, where we seal gaps and openings in fire-rated walls, and fire compartmentation, which ensures that different parts of a building are properly sectioned off to contain fire. It’s all about limiting damage, protecting people, and giving emergency services time to respond.

Q: What makes Stadium Support Services different in this space?

Fire safety can feel overwhelming for a lot of businesses because the regulations are constantly evolving. We make it simple. We don’t just tick boxes, we provide practical solutions. Our team understands the technical side, but we also understand the day-to-day pressures our clients face, so we help them put robust, long-term fire protection strategies in place, not quick fixes. 

Q: What’s the biggest challenge businesses face when it comes to fire safety?

It’s usually not knowing where they stand. A lot of businesses think they’re compliant until an inspection highlights gaps they weren’t aware of. Fire safety isn’t just about installing the right systems, it’s about ongoing maintenance, regular checks and adapting to changing regulations. That’s why we take a proactive approach, helping businesses stay ahead rather than reacting to problems after they arise.

Want to know more? 

Get in touch with Mike Newson to discuss how Stadium Support Services can help via email – Mike@StadiumSupportServices.co.uk 

90 Seconds With James Sinclair, Account Director for London & the South

Our quick-fire Q&A, ‘90 Seconds With…’ (inspired by football’s 90-minute game) puts the spotlight on James Sinclair, our new Account Director for London & the South.

Find out more about James, his return to Stadium Support Services, and what excites him most about the future of FM—all in just 90 seconds.

Q: You’ve come full circle with Stadium Support Services—what drew you back to the business after all these years?

It’s incredible to be back. In all honesty, it feels like a brand-new start given the years that have passed and how much the business has grown and developed. My first experience with Stadium Support Services was a decade ago, helping out on marquee builds at Buckingham Palace Gardens and refurbishing hospitality boxes at Twickenham. The business has grown massively since then, and when the opportunity came up to be part of that growth, it felt like the perfect fit. The company has built a strong reputation in the industry and I’m excited to play a role in its continued success. 

Q: What excites you most about your new role as Account Director?

For me, it’s all about building strong relationships and making an impact. We work in a fast-paced industry where expectations are high, and I love the challenge of delivering varied solutions that help our clients keep their property assets running seamlessly. 

Q: With your focus on expanding in London and the South, what’s your strategy for growth? 

It starts with strengthening our existing relationships and ensuring we’re consistently delivering quality work. Beyond that, it’s about identifying new opportunities—whether that’s with stadiums, large-scale venues, or commercial buildings—where our expertise can add real value. A big part of my role will be getting in front of the right people, showing them what we do, and continuing to prove why we’re the best at it.

Q: You’re a big sports fan—how does that passion influence your work in stadium and venue facilities management?

I’m lucky that this isn’t the first time where a passion of mine has married with my choice of career, however I am hoping this time it’s more successful! As a fan in these venues, you take for granted just how many moving parts are required to accommodate the events on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. With our Stadia clients, every job we do contributes to the experience of thousands of spectators and the quality and deadlines cannot be compromised. That ‘back-stage’ knowledge makes watching the events even more enjoyable and makes the job so much more interesting. 

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’ve picked up over the years that still sticks with you today?

Always surround yourself with great people and back them to do their job. Success in this industry is all about teamwork, whether it’s within our own business or in the relationships we build with clients. Trust, communication, and delivering on promises are what set the best apart.

Q: Looking back at your career so far, what’s one challenge that shaped your leadership style?

One thing I’ve always felt strongly about is providing your team with autonomy and trust to make their own decisions, and to avoid micro-management at all costs. Control is the problem, not the solution, and I strongly believe that individuals will take more pride and be more accountable for what they deliver if they feel they are trusted to do their job as they see fit with support and guidance when needed. 

Q: Stadium Support Services is in a strong growth phase—what do you think is the biggest opportunity in the industry right now?

The business offers a solid suite of capabilities now with strong inhouse trades so I am excited to push further into the Refurbishment and Fit Out sectors to support an industry that will be forced to look at retrofitting more and more buildings to make better use of what is already constructed. Sustainability is obviously a focus, and I think there’s a massive opportunity for clients to rethink how they manage their facilities. Businesses across all property sectors are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining world-class standards. That’s where we come in—helping them find smarter, more sustainable ways to manage their infrastructure without compromising performance.

Get in touch with James via email – James@StadiumSupportServices.co.uk