For Peter and Christine Regan, Sonic Alarm Systems has never just been a business. It began as a family firm, set up by Peter’s father 47 years ago, with his mum also playing her part behind the scenes. What was a small, local operation grew steadily through hard work, reputation and trust. Over time, Sonic became a familiar name across South Wales, protecting homes, businesses and some of Cardiff’s most recognisable buildings and tourist hot spots.

But at its heart, it has always remained rooted in Penarth, and rooted in people. This spring marks one of the most important chapters in that story. Sonic Alarm Systems has become an employee-owned business, with 80% of the company now held in trust on behalf of its employees.

For Peter and Christine, this decision was deeply personal. “When you’ve worked somewhere for most of your life, it’s not just a company,” Peter explains. “It’s people. It’s families. It’s shared history. We could have sold the business in the traditional way, but that would likely have meant decisions moving away from Penarth and the character of Sonic changing. That didn’t sit right with me.”

Instead, they chose a different route. Employee ownership ensures that the people who have helped build Sonic over the years now have a genuine stake in its future. It protects local jobs, keeps decision-making close to home, and allows the business to grow without losing what makes it distinctive.

It also means that the success of the company is shared more directly with the team who deliver it every day.

“This felt like the right way to say thank you,” Peter says. “The engineers, the office team, the people who represent Sonic out on the road every day – they are the business. This gives them security and a voice in what comes next.”

Importantly, this is not a step towards winding down. Quite the opposite. The EOT (Employee Ownership Trust) has been designed to support growth over the next six years, with Peter and Christine still an integral part of the company’s management. This strengthens the company so that the future looks confident and stable.

That ambition is already visible. In recent months, three engineers have been promoted, a new business development manager had joined the team, and an apprenticeship scheme has been introduced to train the next generation of security professionals. These are clear signals of a business investing in its future.

For customers, the reassurance is straightforward: nothing changes in how Sonic operates day to day. The same leadership remains in place, the same engineers are on the road, and the same commitment to reliability, technical excellence and customer care is there.

Employee ownership formalises what many customers already sense when dealing with Sonic: that this is a company run by people who genuinely care. It creates a stronger culture of shared responsibility and long-term thinking. It reinforces the idea that Sonic is not driven by short-term gain, but by sustainable growth and reputation.

For Peter and Christine, who have supported the business throughout its evolution, the move also safeguards the values on which it was built, those of fairness, loyalty and pride in a job well done.

As Sonic Alarm Systems looks ahead, this moment is both a milestone and a beginning. It honours the legacy of Peter’s parents, the decades of dedication that followed, and the team who stand at the centre of the company today.

“This isn’t the end of anything,” Peter says. “It’s the start of the next chapter. We’re growing, we’re investing in our people, and Sonic is staying right here in Penarth.”

Find out more about Sonic Alarm System’s new employee-ownership business, go to www.sonicalarmsystems-eot.com.

For homeowners and businesses, Sonic Alarm Systems continues to provide security you can depend on. With over 47 years’ experience, the team delivers the latest CCTV, intruder alarm and access control systems, supported by friendly, knowledgeable advice. Free, no-obligation quotations are available.

Sonic Alarm Systems EOT launch was facilitated and supported by Candid Creative Studio – thoughtful creative work that helps companies and organisations communicate clearly and connect with the communities they serve.