From patrolling the streets as a burglary unit officer to directing a thriving security business empire, Chris Hanson’s journey is anything but ordinary. As the founder and managing director of SheffLOCK Ltd, Chris and his father Kevin transformed their policing experience into one of South Yorkshire’s most trusted security brands, built around providing a reliable service and accredited security products.
From Crime Scenes to Locksmithing
I work alongside my dad, who’s also ex-police and we’re supported by a brilliant team of 34 staff. I manage the day-to-day running of the businesses around school runs and family life. It’s a juggling act, but one I wouldn’t change. For me, this whole journey has been about applying the discipline, vision, and values I developed in the police force to build something reliable, customer-focused, and genuinely useful. What started as a post-policing plan has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of.
When people ask me how I got into locksmithing, I usually smile and say, “It’s not what I planned, but it feels like exactly where I’m meant to be.” Like many life paths, mine started in uniform, following my father’s footsteps, serving in the burglary unit. My dad served in the police force for 32 years and, together, we investigated crime, helped victims, and saw firsthand the emotional and financial cost of poor security. So, when he retired and said, “What about locksmithing?” it wasn’t just a career move, it was a mission!
We took a leap of faith, attended a five-day course at MPL in Wakefield, and stepped into a world we knew little about. At first, we were completely naïve. But we knew how to solve problems and communicate with people, skills sharpened on the force. That was enough to get us going. In 2016, we launched SheffLOCK, and to our surprise, the phone started ringing from day one. We haven’t looked back since!
Building Something Bigger
Today, SheffLOCK is three businesses under one umbrella, each built around trusted, accredited security services.
- SheffLOCK Locksmiths – Our core business, offering domestic and commercial locksmith services alongside glazing and repairs for uPVC and aluminium doors and windows.
- SheffLOCK Security Solutions – A dedicated arm for CCTV, alarms, and security lighting, intercoms, access control, offering a full professional supply and fit service.
- SheffLOCK Auto Locksmiths – Our rapidly growing auto locksmith division.
We now employ 34 people, including engineers, admin staff, marketing professionals, and customer service teams. Twenty of those are on the road every day, securing homes, fitting alarms, and repairing or replacing everything from doors to digital locks. My father oversees the trade counter and workshop operations. I manage the business remotely working from home, coffee shops, or even hotel rooms if I’m away. I’m a business owner, but I’m also a dad to a 17-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 7-month-old, so my schedule must work around nursery drop-offs, school runs, and bedtime stories.
Our Motto:
If you’re looking for peace of mind from people who’ve seen the worst and are committed to providing the best – trust SheffLOCK!
A Day in the Life
My day starts at 3am. Not because I’m a morning person – but because I want to clear my inbox and make key decisions before the house wakes up and the company starts a new day. From 3am to 7am, I’m all about paperwork, strategy, and checking social media campaigns. From 7am to 9am, I’m Dad – making breakfast and navigating school traffic. Between 9:30 and 5:30pm, I’m back to business: troubleshooting, planning, overseeing marketing and managing staff. Evenings are about family time, eating dinner together, and getting the kids to bed. At 8:30pm, I do one final round of calls and messages before calling it a night around 10pm. It’s intense, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Lessons from the Force, Applied to Business
Being a police officer meant making tough decisions within strict guidelines. In business, those decisions are yours, and yours alone. That transition was challenging at first. But my time on the burglary unit taught me the true meaning of security, the gaps criminals exploit, and what homeowners really need to feel safe. That experience is what really sets us apart.
Our Unique Selling Point is simple: we’re ex-police, security-focused, and customer-obsessed. Everything we fit is accredited. We use Brisant Ultion locks and handles -reliable and trusted since 2017. For CCTV and alarms, it’s HIK Vision and Pyronix, brands known for award-winning systems.
We’re proud that 99% of what we install is Sold Secure approved, meaning it meets the highest standards. You can’t fit a cheap lock and expect premium results. It’s about trust and our 1,300+ 5-star reviews on Google across Sheffield, Barnsley, and Rotherham reflect that.
Organic Growth
We’re now in our ninth year, and while we’re proud of how far we’ve come, we’re not standing still. The plan for the next two to five years is to organically scale – more engineers, wider coverage, more services, all without sacrificing quality or customer care. We’d love to expand further into Yorkshire and even into Derbyshire, but we’re not aggressive. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
We’re also investing in our people. One of our engineers is taking his Master Locksmithing Exam in July, and we plan to roll out more training across the team. Ultimately, we want a company of fully qualified professionals, each as committed to quality and integrity as we are.
Marketing Strategy: Don’t Put all your Eggs in One Basket
I’m very passionate about marketing! It’s a creative outlet in a world of drills and door frames and, for a long time, I did all the marketing myself, but now Sarah heads up our marketing strategy. Social media, particularly Facebook, has been a game changer. It outperforms every other platform for us. But we never rely on just one thing. We use van signage, uniforms, leaflets, Google Ads, and old-fashioned word-of-mouth.
Have you heard of the Google Slap? Digital advertising is powerful, but the pricing is volatile. We’ve seen Google click rates jump from £1 to £5 overnight. Facebook used to bring in 10 leads for £20 a day, now it’s £200 for the same amount. That’s why having a broad, multi-channel marketing strategy is key.
The Industry Needs Change
One thing I’d change about the industry is the lack of regulation. There are too many stories of people being ripped off. I believe all locksmiths should go through mandatory vetting – background checks, product training, and standards for how they operate. This isn’t just about locks – it’s about safety. When someone lets you into their home, they need to know they’re dealing with someone trustworthy, professional, and fully trained.
Final Thoughts
Being featured in The Locksmith Journal is a full-circle moment. My dad reads it cover to cover, and our team follows it on social media. We’re proud to share our story, not just as a business, but as a family. From a father and son on a five-day course to a team of 34 securing thousands of homes and businesses, SheffLOCK was built on trust, service, and the belief that doing things the right way still matters.
Check out our e-brochure: www.flippingbooks.co.uk/shefflock/mobile/index.html
0114 4426200
enquiries@shefflock.co.uk
www.shefflock.co.uk