by, Natalie Kostelni
Philadelphia Business Journal
November 23, 2009

Octavian Security, a British company that provides services protecting a range of facilities, will locate its U.S. headquarters in Berwyn, Pa. Octavian anticipates growing its local presence from the small space it has leased. 

The company leased about 300 square feet at 1055 Westlakes Drive on a 12-month term and then will seek to buy or lease about 4,000 square feet, said President Gregg Strangways. The company’s search for a U.S. headquarters mainly along the East Coast, settling on the Philadelphia area because of its proximity to New York and Washington, as well as to many ports. Octavian has contracts protecting ports, the firms that serve them as well as utilities and government entities and the construction industry. Select Greater Philadelphia also was instrumental in swaying Octavian to locate here, Strangways said. 

The company is hiring just a handful of people to kick off its local operations but expects to hire additional employees as it wins contracts, said Strangways, who is relocating from Richmond, Va. As part of its expansion into the United States, Octavian opened regional offices in Richmond and Tulsa, Okla. 

Octavian is based in Nottingham, England, and maintains operations throughout Europe, the Middle East and North America.