Early Foundations
Entrepreneurship was woven into Sivanessan’s life from the very beginning. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, he witnessed firsthand the grit and resilience required to succeed. His father built a business in railway construction, and his elder brother became deeply involved in its growth. From his father, Sivanessan learned a crucial lesson: entrepreneurship is never easy, but the satisfaction of building something on your own — and uplifting others along the way — is unparalleled.
This lesson stayed with him through his education at Victoria School, Tampines Junior College, and later Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he studied Communications. Along the way, he honed his leadership and critical thinking skills, excelling academically and earning recognition for his service. Even during National Service, he embraced leadership as a 3rd Sergeant. By the time he graduated from NTU, it was clear: no matter where his career began, entrepreneurship would always be his destiny.
The Leap Into Business
In 2013, Sivanessan officially joined the family’s railway business, GATES PCM Construction Ltd. There, he contributed fresh ideas in branding and management, raising the company’s profile and sharpening its performance. But his entrepreneurial instincts soon drew him toward new opportunities.
In 2015, with a boldness that defined his spirit, Sivanessan stepped into a completely new industry: security. Together with his family, he rebranded an existing company to create GATES PCM Integrated Services (GPIS). It was a daunting leap. Unlike construction, the security industry is people-driven, requiring daily communication with officers, clients, and stakeholders. But Sivanessan saw something others overlooked — the industry’s potential to grow as part of Singapore’s national resilience and Total Defence framework.
What began with just 26 employees has since flourished into a team of more than 250 officers across 45 sites islandwide, protecting everything from commercial and residential buildings to institutions and even the Singapore Botanic Gardens — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Under his leadership, GPIS grew from a modest firm into one of Singapore’s fastest-rising security companies, earning the highest ‘A’ grade from the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department (PLRD).
Triumph Through Challenges
The journey was far from smooth. “When we started investing in the security company, it was a natural struggle to put GPIS on track,” Sivanessan recalls. Entering an industry with over 250 competitors meant facing skepticism and fierce rivalry. Unlike the construction sector, security services could not rely on automation — they depended on people, relationships, and trust.
In 2017, GPIS faced its toughest moment when it lost a key government client that had been with the company for three years. The impact was immediate and severe: a significant portion of revenue disappeared, 20 jobs were at risk, and staff confidence collapsed. Many officers resigned, leaving Sivanessan to face a shrinking team and a deep crisis of morale.
Instead of panicking, he leaned on what he knew best: communication. He believed strongly that to succeed, he had to understand the needs of both employees and clients. He listened, engaged, and built a company culture where every officer felt valued. At the same time, he realized GPIS needed to strengthen its brand presence to win back trust. He initiated a full rebranding, elevating the company’s image and positioning it as a professional and trusted partner.
This renewed focus on both people and image marked a turning point. By improving perks and salaries, listening to concerns, and investing in training opportunities, he reassured his remaining staff and equipped them for growth. Slowly but steadily, GPIS gained credibility again, landing significant projects and winning entrepreneurship awards. Clients began seeking them out and inviting them to tender — a sign of hard-won respect.
The company’s new identity as Griffin Protection Integrated Security Pte Ltd reflected this transformation. The Griffin — a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle — symbolized vigilance, strength, and guardianship. It was a declaration that GPIS had evolved beyond manpower deployment to become a frontrunner in security management and service quality. This aligned the company with the government’s industry transformation map and positioned it at the forefront of innovation, training, and capability building.
For Sivanessan, the setbacks did not define GPIS — the way the company responded to them did. Each challenge, whether fierce competition or the loss of a major client, became fuel to reaffirm his determination to build the #1 security company in Singapore.
Innovation at the Core
For Sivanessan, leadership also means innovation. He knew that manpower alone could not sustain the company’s future. GPIS invested in advanced technologies:
- A 24/7 Command Centre to oversee operations and respond quickly to emergencies.
- Body-worn cameras, biometrics, and vehicle tracking systems to enhance accountability and efficiency.
- Drone surveillance to extend security capabilities in hard-to-reach areas.
- A Security Management System that allows officers to log incidents, attendance, and even photographs in real time, building confidence with clients.
- Robotics to assist officers with patrolling and customer service functions
- Analytical monitoring systems to allow officers more time to attend to incidents and perform higher order security functions.
These innovations allowed GPIS to deliver higher standards of service while reducing strain on manpower — a forward-looking approach that keeps the company relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.
Building People, Not Just a Company
Equally important to Sivanessan was building a culture where employees could thrive. He saw his staff not merely as workers, but as the backbone of the company’s growth. Under his leadership, GPIS introduced regular training, skills-upgrade programs, and team-bonding initiatives. Officers were encouraged to see their role not just as “guards,” but as professionals entrusted with safeguarding lives and property.
“Communication is the key to bridging the gap,” he says. By ensuring officers understood the importance of their work and by recognizing their efforts through incentives, promotions, and long-service awards, GPIS nurtured loyalty and pride. This people-first approach has been central to its success, resulting in low turnover and increasing a culture of long service amongst staff, with the company awarding around 50 staff with long service awards annually: a landmark achievement in the security industry.
Advice to His 20-Year-Old Self
If Sivanessan could turn back time, he would remind his 20-year-old self to be open to entrepreneurship. Back then, he faced strong family pressure to continue the family business, even though his real passion was to become a journalist at Singapore Press Holdings. Entrepreneurship felt daunting, and he questioned whether it was truly for him.
Today, he sees it differently. Entrepreneurship is not only accessible to anyone, but it also gives individuals the power to create impact — to uplift communities, improve lives, and enjoy greater freedom for family. His advice is simple: embrace the uncertainty, because the journey will shape you in ways you never imagined.
A Guiding Principle to Live By
For Sivanessan, one guiding philosophy defines his approach to business:
“Entrepreneurship is not about being the smartest in the room, but being the one who can see the biggest picture.”
He believes a business owner does not need to be an expert in every area. What truly matters is clarity of vision — understanding brand positioning, how clients perceive the company, and where the business should be headed. Gaps in expertise can always be filled by hiring the right people.
This mindset stands in contrast to the old-school idea that a boss must excel at everything. Instead, Sivanessan emphasizes building a capable team, empowering them to collaborate, and focusing on steering the business forward.
The Spirit of Enterprise
When asked about his philosophy of entrepreneurship, Sivanessan’s words reflect humility and perseverance.
“Entrepreneurship is a journey of self-realisation that teaches us about perseverance and communication. There will always be struggles and adversities, but they are opportunities for growth. What matters is having the fortitude to stand back up and continue the journey.”
To him, the true spirit of enterprise lies in resilience, innovation, and humility. It is not just about building a business but about staying grounded, adapting to challenges, and continuously improving.
Advice to Future Entrepreneurs
For aspiring entrepreneurs and students, his advice is clear and heartfelt:
- Stay humble — Success is fleeting without humility.
- Take care of your people — Employees are the foundation of every business.
- Communicate and connect — Build trust with clients, staff, and partners.
- Never stop learning — Professionalism and knowledge inspire confidence.
- Persevere through adversity — Struggles are inevitable, but they shape character.
“Professionalism allows people to take you seriously,” he says. “Stay kind, stay resilient, and never stop learning. At the end of the day, it is not just about business success — it is about the happiness and trust we leave with others.”
Website: https://gpis.com.sg
AUTHOR BIO
ALAN KOH
Alan Koh is the Founder and CEO of Impossible Marketing, a group of companies renowned for hyperlocal marketing strategies tailored to businesses in Singapore. His professional journey began in the banking sector, where he quickly rose through the ranks, garnering eight industry awards in just four years.
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