A West Midland firm to the stars is celebrating 20 years – after growing from a tiny two-man operation to employ 600 workers.

Shirley-based MAN Commercial Protection marked its 20th anniversary in fighting style by providing the security for boxer Amir Khan’s wedding, the largest ever covered by celebrity magazine Hello.

The firm landed the blue riband security role at the recent Manchester celebrations, attended by 3,500 guests, after nearly 10 years of looking after Khan.

The assignment was the latest in a string of key contracts for the firm, whose managing director Iain McCallister set up the business with his late father. Today MAN boasts a multi-million pound turnover.

Mr McCallister said: “We’ve looked after Amir since he turned pro in 2004, so we know the family and many of the friends, which was useful in ensuring only invited guests came in.

“The security wasn’t a piece of cake. Apart from manning up to control 3,500 guests, there were £100,000 of jewellery gifts and a dozen super cars to be guarded as well as an amazing Bollywood display, including dance troops and musicians.”

The couple flew from Bolton Wanderers football stadium to Event City Manchester for the wedding banquet – the groom’s first helicopter flight.

“The only thing I asked for was a cake and it’s huge,” said Amir. The 14ft iced and vanilla buttercream sponge came complete with an Arabic fountain.

Amir’s father, Shah Khan, later wrote to thank the MAN team: “Thank you for the excellent service you provided for Amir and Faryal’s wedding. Your staff did their jobs brilliantly without interfering or getting in the way of proceedings. Well done on a very good job.”

The city firm first broke into the big time in 1996 with local rockers Ocean Colour Scene, and have worked with boxing promoter Frank Warren for 17 years. They’ve also looked after top fighters such as Mike Tyson, Ricky Hatton and Frank Bruno.

Mr McCallister said: “We have also worked with Oasis, UB40, Paul Weller, the Stones, Elton John. It’s all about professionalism and providing a good service. In 1993 my dad retired from the police force after 30 years – I needed to do something and we started back then. It was just me and my dad in Hall Green; it was a lot different 20 years ago, security was not as prevalent as it is today.

“We are now a national company – we have got to be one of the biggest privately-owned security companies. We are also big in distribution, with DHL, and we look after shopping centres and entertainment parks, and Centro’s CCTV control room.

“Our unique selling point is service and aiming to be the best at what we do. We have clients who have been with us for 20 years.

“You have to make sure that all clients’ needs are catered for with regard to their family security. We have never walked away from a job. We largely rely on word of mouth and reputation; we are all over the country – a high percentage of our turnover is the corporate sector.”