Case Study: Jonathan Marr — Building Trust Through Competence and Integrity at RJ Wilson

When Jonathan Marr joined the security and fire alarm industry in 1991, the landscape looked very different. Fresh from school, he was part of the YTS-era generation — hands-on, practical, and eager to learn. He spotted an advert for an apprentice alarm engineer at ADT, then one of the largest national firms in the sector.

“In those days, ADT were the big national company. Every three months we’d be dragged down to Birmingham for product or quality assurance training. It was proper formal training — three years long — nothing like what you get now.”

Over the next eight years with ADT, Jonathan developed through structured apprenticeships, management and supervisory training, and on-the-job experience that built not just technical skill but a philosophy: make it work properly, and never cut corners.

From Engineer to Business Owner

After ADT, Jonathan joined an independent company in Nottingham, working closely with the owner for over 13 years. There, he didn’t just install systems — he helped build the business itself.

“It was fantastic what I learned. You weren’t just a small number; you were the only number. You learned everything about running a business.”

A later family move to Lincolnshire led to the formation of RJ Wilson in October 2019. Though the name had history from a previous firm, Jonathan built the new company as a completely separate entity, focused on fire safety, electronic security and life protection systems — and on doing things properly, from the ground up.

A Commitment to Competence

RJ Wilson operates under BAFE SP203 approval, ensuring full compliance with national standards for fire alarm systems. Every engineer in the company holds an NVQ Level 3 (EAL) qualification, covering design, installation, commissioning, handover and maintenance.

“As the company owner, we will never, ever have an employee working alone on fire alarms without that Level 3 qualification. A lot of firms have one qualified person who signs everything off — we don’t do that. Everyone is qualified. Everyone is competent.”

Jonathan’s reasoning is straightforward but powerful: qualifications don’t just prove ability; they establish personal legal accountability. If something goes wrong, the individual engineer must be able to stand behind their work — and that mindset runs through the entire company.

RJ Wilson’s approach means that every installation and maintenance task is carried out by someone who is formally trained and independently competent. The firm also logs ongoing CPD hours for every engineer, exceeding the eight-hour industry requirement each year.

“We’ve done all five modules of the new BS5839:2025 fire standard — not just a short update. We did the full course again. Properly.”

Ethics and Integrity: “We Do Not Compromise.”

Beyond compliance, Jonathan has shaped RJ Wilson around a simple internal mantra: we do not compromise. It’s more than a slogan — it’s how decisions are made daily.

“There are always ways to bend the rules, to make life easier or finish early. But when one of us starts to slip, the other will say it — we don’t compromise. Then we ask, what does your moral compass tell you?”

He shares an example of finding unsafe fire cable installations on a site RJ Wilson wasn’t even responsible for. Rather than ignore it, Jonathan’s team reported it to the main contractor — even at the risk of upsetting another firm.

“If you woke up the next morning and it was in the newspaper — how would you feel? That’s what I asked. You can’t leave something you know isn’t right.”

This ethical stance reflects a deeper philosophy about responsibility, safety, and moral duty — the foundation of RJ Wilson’s reputation.

Quality Assurance and Third-Party Auditing

RJ Wilson undergoes regular third-party audits:

• Twice yearly for fire under BAFE

• Once yearly for security under SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board)

These audits review both procedures and live installations, ensuring standards are upheld continuously rather than reactively. It’s the kind of discipline that quietly sets the company apart — the difference between simply trading and leading.

Projects and Partnerships

Though still relatively young, RJ Wilson has already delivered work across education, commercial and public sectors, with case studies including Giles Academy, Spalding Academy, Valentine Court Student Accommodation and Hotel & Bistro Stratford.

Jonathan himself has a long professional history, having worked personally on Windsor Castle during his earlier career, as well as major commercial sites like Sports Bike Shop, now one of the largest motorcycle accessories distributors in the world.

“This year we’ve secured a project at RAF Digby that’ll double turnover in the next twelve months. We’re growing carefully — but always by the book.”

Leading by Example

Every aspect of RJ Wilson’s operation reflects Jonathan’s belief that doing things the right way is the only way. From secure company vehicles fitted with anti-theft cages to digital-only paperwork for efficiency and sustainability, the company practices what it preaches.

“When I set the company up, I said I’m not having paper unless I have to. Everything’s digital — we keep it lean and secure.”

Even the small details — like a QR code on the company vans linking directly to the website — show an attention to trust and accessibility.

Looking Ahead

As the fire and security industry evolves, RJ Wilson remains at the front line of competency, transparency and compliance. Through continuous training, strong auditing, and an unshakeable ethical stance, Jonathan Marr has built a business that’s small enough to care, but rigorous enough to lead.

“We want to be leaders in the industry, not just keeping up with the Joneses.”

Summary of Key E-E-A-T Points