An Open Letter from Paul Evans to the People, Partners and Contributors Who Made His Ten-Year Milestone So Special

Tuesday, 18^th November 2025

Dear All,

Re: An open letter to all who have made this possible…

When I was asked to write this letter, I wondered where to start and how on earth I would fit in all the amazing things that have happened in ten wonderful years at Carlisle Support Services.

Well, today marks exactly ten years since I was so privileged to be asked by the then Impellam Group CEO, Julia Robertson, to become the Managing Director of Carlisle Support Services. Ironically, only a few months ago, I welcomed Julia back as the newly appointed Chairperson for our group of companies.

Back in 2015, Carlisle was a very different business and had gone through some real challenging times. But at its heart, there was something special about one special ingredient – its people – on the front-line and in the support functions, who had deep down an outstanding level of commitment and passion to do their best every day.

In the early days, I gathered views from different areas of the organisation, our front-line teams and the thirty-seven clients with whom we were proud to partner with. However, it quickly became clear that something was lacking, and despite everyone’s best efforts, the business was declining and facing increasingly troubling times.

Many of you will know that I started my working life on the ‘shop-floor’ stacking supermarket shelves, and then in a Patrol and Response function when entering the security industry. Alongside my passion for playing semi-professional football, it was clear we had a great team, but we weren’t yet pulling in the same direction towards one common vision.

Simon Sinek, an unshakable optimist, describes “why” as the core idea that reflects an organisation’s purpose, cause, or belief – the foundation for both communication and inspiration. Identifying our own “why” gave us a strong sense of direction in our business, one that has remained unchanged since its inception. Our “why” focuses on doing things differently, maintaining clear and consistent communication, and offering fulfilling and enjoyable opportunities for all involved.

The early years were challenging and required lots of long days spent laying the foundations that would lay the pathway for a successful period ahead. Whilst we defined our purpose, we also chose our four company values. These values should never have been written on walls in isolation and are still used today to ensure we keep our company DNA.

To have grown the organisation to now have over 6,500 Carlisle family members, more than 80 customers and with annual revenues in excess of £170m, I can honestly say that once the passion and energy brought by our people were aligned, we have achieved some truly amazing things since then.

The bedrock of this growth was to make sure we looked after our clients and family members in equal measure. This didn’t mean we disregarded the fact that we are a commercial entity; rather, it meant recognising that by caring for people, the business would naturally grow and become sustainable.

The years have passed somewhat quickly, and I am incredibly proud of what Carlisle has become today. The credit for this goes to everyone for making it possible. Whether you are a Carlilse family member, a client, a shareholder or simply a member of the public who has used our services, I applaud you for remaining true to our values and purpose.

As I look forward now to the next decade, I am filled with ambition and excitement to see Carlisle continue its strategic journey, one that will continue to put people at the heart of all we do. We will champion working with clients who allow us to recognise and reward the superb family members who, in turn, look after their customers.

Carlisle is known for its ethical leadership, a quality that remains unchanged. However, we acknowledge that the world is continually evolving due to modern technologies, new working methods, and an ever-changing economic climate.

I am incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to lead Carlisle over the past decade, and as we look ahead. Leading such an organisation, filled with outstanding individuals achieving remarkable things, is truly one of the most rewarding roles imaginable.

Thank you and stay safe.

Paul Evans Chief Executive Officer