CONTRACT MANNED GUARDING – IS IT FIT FOR PURPOSE?

SEPTEMBER 2013
CONTRACT MANNED GUARDING
– IS IT FIT FOR PURPOSE?
More than 30 years ago, one of the major contract manned guarding companies at the time,
decided that a way to gain market advantage was to display in detail the breakdown of their
hourly charge-out rate when tendering for new business. One of the main reasons for this was
that there was a growing belief, amongst end-users, that the lion’s share of the charge-out rate
went into the pocket of the shareholders and not to the security officers who were actually
working the shifts. Notwithstanding that the net result was that every company in the industry
had to follow suit, so that today we must be the only industry which, dare I say idiotically,
displays information in such minutiae and which ultimately will inevitably come back to haunt
the contractor should the contract break down for whatever reason.
Since that time the problem has been exacerbated by TUPE which, I believe, has done the
industry irreparable damage over the years. I fully understand that there is a need to protect the
rights of staff when a contract changes from one contractor to another. Unfortunately the client
base – or should I say, the ever growing influence of the procurement departments – have used
TUPE as a base to attack the on-cost, so that the margins have progressively deteriorated until
now they have reached, in a significant number of cases, almost impossible levels. I cannot see
the logic of replacing one contractor with another one and, at the same time, again cutting the
margin. It didn’t work with Company A, so let’s change them to Company B and, at the same
time, save our organisation some money. The procurement departments that do this – often
in the face of contrary advice from the client security manager – should be held financially
accountable for their folly!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
P2-3 News Board
P4-5 B
UILDING A WORKABLE MANNED GUARDING
CONTRACT
P6 T HE ROUTE TO THE PACESETTERS BECOMING EVER MORE CHALLENGING
P6-8 THE HALL OF FAME
How often do we hear the cry of “The security officers were fine, but it was the management
that was hopeless”. That is surely nonsense and the only reason the support management
are subject to such criticism is that, invariably, the margin has been cut by the client to such a
level that it is almost non-existent. In other words, a service which is so reliant on the support
management function has been virtually denuded of it, because individuals, who do not fully
understand the industry, think they are doing their company a service by making an utterly false
economy.
P9-10 P
ORTRAIT OF A PACESETTER
Guarding UK
Let’s go back to 2005, when the SIA was not fully in place and neither was the licensing of
individuals working in the manned security sector. Everyone thought that the following year
would be the dawning of a bright new era for the manned security industry and a much
better calibre of individual would embrace the industry; individuals leaving school with good
qualifications would want to make a career in manned security. The reality is that it never
happened and, I for one, believe that we have almost certainly gone backwards in that time.
P11
So what can we do to stop the backward slide? I know that it is an old chestnut, but the Trade
Associations really must start to beat the drum about the folly of reducing margins and the
consequent havoc that will reap if that happens. They have a concerted voice which, if it is
already not too late, might just be listened to by the client base. It goes without saying that the
voice must be both continuous and spoken with genuine conviction or it will not be too long
before the industry might need to answer the accusation of whether or not it is actually fit for
purpose!
ARK HOUSE SECURITY
P
TEAM WIN SILVER FOX
AWARD
P12 SUTTON SPECIALIST
RISKS LTD
FM CONTRACT WATCH LLP
Lynda Moore: 01844 260350 [email protected]
Terry O’Neil: 07831 563174 [email protected]
PO Box 199, Thame
Oxfordshire. OX9 0BY
NEWS BOARD
CIS Security
Awarded
City of London
Police Shield
Lodge Service Buys Endeavour Security
in Remote Security Expansion
Lodge Service Ltd, the
£22 million security
consultancy, has
acquired Endeavour
Security Ltd and its
£1.2 million monitoring
centre and services
business, in a further strategic move into remote security services,
according to CEO Stuart Lodge.
Project Griffin was originally
introduced by the City of London
Police and Metropolitan Police in April 2004 to help
“London’s financial sector better protect itself against
terrorist threats”. It has since spread to businesses
and security services as a way to get educated about
counter-terrorism and crime prevention, be the ‘eyes
and ears’ for the police and be prepared for major
emergency. The goal of the program is to bring together
the police, fire brigade, ambulance services, private
security industry and other government agencies in
deterring, disrupting and support operations targeting
terrorist and extremist activity.
The acquisition includes Endeavour’s CCTV monitoring facility at
Redditch, Worcestershire, which will support Lodge Service’s Cat 2
national data centre in Accrington, Lancashire, launched in 2012.
Endeavour’s 37 security guards will increase Lodge Service’s total staff
to over 800.
“Endeavour’s experience in protecting warehousing, logistics and other
industrial property and assets complements Lodge Service’s expertise
in retail security and the corporate sector. The acquisition extends
our provision of both monitoring and services through Endeavour’s
network of manned guarding, key holding and response support,”
says Stuart Lodge.
On 22nd March CIS received confirmation from City of London Police that they were going to be presented
with a City of London Police shield, commissioned to
celebrate the 100th Griffin Event. CIS were commended
on their commitment to the City of London and Project Griffin.
Lodge Service’s communications network links retail, corporate and
other service users’ premises to provide alarm response, analysis
and management information. The range of services and signals
monitored through the hub includes: CCTV, staff time and attendance,
vehicle tracking, access control, fire and intruder alarms, lone worker
protection, building management systems, environmental and waste
management, data mining, networked distribution centres, trolley
track and EAS tagging.
Founded in 1919, Lodge Service has nearly 800 staff and local offices
or franchise operations in nine countries.
Kim Malyon of CIS accepting award from Trevor Dyson
(Chief Inspector, Counter Terrorism and Crime Investigations)
Cancer Research UK
FM Contract Watch supports several
chosen charities and in May this
year Lynda Moore took part in
the Aylesbury Race for Life 5k run
for Cancer Research UK. Lynda
raised £380 in sponsorship for this
worthwhile cause.
Stuart Lodge, CEO of Lodge Service, and Phil Richford,
managing director of Endeavour Security Group
2
NEWS BOARD
WANTED – SECURITY GUARDING COMPANIES
We have clients registered who wish to purchase quality security guarding
companies throughout the UK. Their requirements range from an annual turnover of £1m to £20m.
If you are considering selling your business now or in the near future please contact us in total confidence.
E-mail [email protected] Tel: 01844 260350 www.securitycompaniesforsale.co.uk
Ward Security
shortlisted for BIFM
– Service Provider
of the Year 2013
OCTAVIAN SHORTLISTED FOR TOP
SECURITY AWARD
Ward Security is pleased to
announce that they have been
selected by the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM)
as a finalist in its ‘Service Provider of the Year 2013’ awards
category. These prestigious awards recognise excellence in facilities
management and are rigorously judged.
Octavian Security, one of the UK’s most revered security
providers, has been shortlisted as a finalist at the Security
Excellence Awards 2013 for the Customer Care Initiative of the year.
The company are delighted to be selected
as a finalist and it is a fantastic achievement
for the whole Ward Security team.
The company has been chosen because of its continuous
commitment to improvement and its development of
innovative techniques, to ensure that client satisfaction is at the forefront of the business.
The winner will be announced at the BIFM
Annual Dinner on 14th October.
Octavian, which this year celebrates a decade of service after
being founded by Sukhi Ghuman in Nottingham in 2003, is
known for leading the field when it comes to customer care
and professionalism within the sector.
Oakpark Security
finalist in
Essex Business
Excellence Awards
“This could very well be our third major award for our customer
service standards this year,” commented Octavian’s commercial
director Tony Mellor.
“It is proof of all of the incredible work that everybody has put
in over the past years, to ensure this company delivers what
are amongst the very highest service standards in the UK today.”
Oakpark Security Systems Limited is delighted to have been selected
as a finalist in the Essex Business Excellence Awards (Customer Care
Category). This nomination followed a detailed submission of their
customer care procedures and evidence to support the submission
plus a site visit by the panel of judges.
In March this year, Sukhi Ghuman won the Excellence in
Customer Service Award at the Asian Achievers Awards 2013.
One month later the company won the Services Award at the
Nottingham Post Business Awards 2013.
More recently, the Company has achieved a benchmark score of 139
in their latest ACS Audit, yet more testament to their commitment
to delivering a quality Service and the promotion of the Security
Industry in general.
Octavian will find out whether it has won the award on 23
October at a ceremony at the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane.
FM Contract Watch News Board
If you are a member of the ACS Pacesetters, advertise on our website or a Silver Fox client and would like your news item included in a future
edition of our Newsletter please submit the article to [email protected]
3
BUILDING A WORKABLE
MANNED GUARDING CONTRACT
FM Contract Watch was set up almost two years ago to try to help bring some sort of sanity to
a growing number of manned guarding contracts. Both Lynda Moore and I have had experience
at every level of the industry, so we have known both the good and the bad times over the last
35 years, and have seen so many opportunities slip through the industry’s fingers. Perhaps the
biggest opportunity occurred in 2006 with the advent of the Security Industry Authority (SIA),
the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) and of course the licensing of individuals working in the
contract manned guarding industry. At that time the industry looked set for a huge enhancement
in its reputation, particularly with the belief that the processing of individual licences through the
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) would rid the industry of what was believed to be a significant
criminal element. So what went badly wrong?
trained reliefs at very short notice, even for short term events is
not forgotten by the client, but it is by the contractor. You wonder
sometimes whether or not the sales team who won the contract
have passed on all the detail to their operational counterparts!
Let’s not deceive ourselves. If a client abides by TUPE and reduces the
charge-out rate which will be paid to the incoming contractor, then
the gross margin must be cut at the same time. In effect there could
be a reduction of management support, on-site training and trained
relief cover to name but three essential ingredients of a successful
manned guarding contract. In other words the client realising his/
her current contractor has failed, then decides to go out to tender and
award the contract on terms which are not so good as at present – it
really defies all logic.
In the midst of this ‘carnage’ sits the security team which has, under
TUPE, been passed over the years from one contractor to another.
Little wonder therefore that they have no confidence in an industry
which promised so much and, at least in their eyes, has delivered
so little. I have to say that this is an area which has been sadly
neglected by the Trade Associations. What have the BSIA and IPSA done to help improve the lot of the ordinary security officer over the years?
The problem which the client will often have with the contractor is
that the latter will promise anything in order to win the business and
worry about the consequences later. A promise to carry out lunch
reliefs in far away sites; to always provide a significant number of
4
BUILDING A WORKABLE
MANNED GUARDING CONTRACT
So what can we do at FM Contract Watch to help you, as a client or contractor, avoid the need to continually go out to tender and all the
inevitable turbulence that means? Let me list seven distinct stages of the contract where we can help you to avoid the obvious pitfalls.
1. MANAGE THE TENDER PROCESS
5. SECURITY REVIEWS
The tender process is a time absorbing exercise such that we can
take from you the whole process up and until the tender presentation
stage. It is vital for you to know that the competing companies,
which you have selected, have a proven track record in your local
area. Amongst other things we visit local clients to see that this is the
case and not just what the contractor tells you.
It is often the case that the contract – particularly a multi-sited
one – is going seriously wrong and, whilst you think you know the
reason you just cannot put your finger on it. It may be that there is
an officer who is disturbing the whole balance and morale of the
team; it may be that the management support which appears to be
effective from the number of red letter entries which you see in the
Daily Occurrence Book (DOB) is in fact just calling in on the site and
never addressing the outstanding issues of the officers. Our reviews
will tell you what is wrong, even though you may not like some of
the findings!
2. ATTENDANCE AT THE TENDER PRESENTATION STAGE
As an independent Industry expert we attend the Tender Presentation
stage and challenge, on your behalf, any claims which the contractor
makes and which our experience know will be impossible to satisfy.
It would be totally wrong for us to be involved in the decision making
process, so we are there purely as a technical adviser to ensure that
you are able to do just that.
6. REVIEW OF THE CHARGE-OUT RATE
At FM Contract Watch we specialise in examining the minutiae of the
agreed charge-out rate and thus ensuring that you are getting value
for money as what was agreed at the time the contract was signed
by both parties. As an independent we can dissect each part and
report back on what you are actually receiving for that part of the
contract. For example there may be a cost of 10 pence per hour for
on-site training in the charge-out rate. We will report back at regular
intervals on our assessment of what you, as a client, are receiving for
that expense.
3. CONTRACT MONITORING
It is vital that the promises made by the successful contractor in
winning the contract are kept and they are subsequently not in
breach. Our attendance at the Presentation Stage will give us a
unique advantage in being able to monitor the situation on your
behalf and reporting any discrepancies to you. It would seem sensible
that a small addition of a few pennies in the hourly charge-out rate
would leave the contractor in no doubt that you will expect all the
terms of the contract to be met and , to this end, you are having it
independently assessed at regular intervals.
7. KEEPING YOU AWARE OF THE LOCAL MARKET
In order to keep your current contractor on their toes, we will provide
you with a quarterly update on major contractors in your area and
how they are deemed to be performing on their particular contracts
by their respective clients. This can be invaluable information if
ultimately you should decide to go out to tender, for whatever
reason, and need to know who to invite to take part in the process.
4. INDEPENDENT ON-SITE AUDIT
As a client, you need to know what the standard of performance of
your contractor is like at any time of the day or night and without
any prior warning. We have never believed that the contractor will
be able to provide the sort of comfort with in-house audits that can
be achieved by an independent. Nobody seriously believes that the
contractor will inform the client if their mobile supervisor should
find the duty security officer asleep at their post! The very fact that
an independent organisation is checking up on duty staff should
be enough to ensure that both the on-site staff and their support
management give the contract their very best shot.
The next edition of our magazine will expand on each of the seven strands mentioned
above. In the meantime if you would like any further information on any of the
services offered by FM Contract Watch, please contact Terry O’Neil or Lynda Moore by
e-mail at terry.oneil@fmcontractwatch [email protected] or by
telephone on 01844 260350.
5
THE ROUTE TO THE PACESETTERS
BECOMING EVER MORE
CHALLENGING
The annual review by the Security Industry Authority of the Approved Contractor Scheme scoring has meant
that entry to the highly prestigious ‘ACS Pacesetters’ and, hence, regular publication in The Pacesetters ‘Hall
of Fame’ has become ever more challenging.
For the year 2013/14 the score to be eligible for annual Pacesetter
membership has risen from a total of 94 to 108 points, out of a
possible 174.
The Approved Contractor Scheme requires continual improvement
which aims to increase standards year on year. This year the changes
include:
At the beginning of July there were a total of 752 companies in the
Approved Contractor Scheme meaning that 113 companies could
qualify to join our growing membership.
• A requirement to train all employees in the protection of the public
The accredited companies are made up as follows:
• A requirement to prepare for pensions auto-enrolment
Micro 1-10 employees
215
Small 11-25 employees
222
Medium 26-250 employees
255
Large 250+ employees
• A requirement to test the competence of all new staff employed
Readers should be in no doubt that, as the Approved Contractor
Scheme enters its eighth year, the top 15% in the annual inspection
of members have achieved something very special.
The Pacesetters is an elite club and we strongly recommend that
clients of manned guarding should in future look no further than the
‘Hall of Fame’ when drawing up their tender list of contractors to
compete for their contract.
60
For further information on joining the ACS Pacesetters contact Lynda Moore
[email protected] or telephone 01844 260350.
THE HALL OF FAME
ADVANCE SECURITY UK LTD
Chevron House, 346 Long Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10 9PF
Telephone: 01895 201800 Web: www.advancesecurity.co.uk
CARLISLE SECURITY SERVICES LTD
Wallace House, 4 Falcon Way, Shire Park, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 1TW
Tel: 01707 294785 Web: www.carlislesupportservices.com
APCOA SERVICES GROUP
Wellington House, 4-10 Cowley Road, Uxbridge UB8 2XW
Tel: 01895 272500
Web: www.apcoa.co.uk
CHURCHILL SECURITY LIMITED
Dawson House, 4 Eaton Avenue, Matrix Business
Park, Leyland, Chorley PR7 7NA
Tel: 0800 298 9667
Web: www.churchill-security.co.uk
AXIS SECURITY SERVICES LTD
Lighterman House, 26-36 Wharfdale Road, Kings Cross, London N1 9RY
Tel: 020 3077 2145
Web: www.axis-security.co.uk
CIS SECURITY LIMITED
418-426 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 6LJ
Tel: 020 8690 1903 Web: www.cis-security.co.uk
BERNIC UK LTD
Salus House, Livingstone Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 4HF Tel: 0151 666 2890
Web: www.bernic.co.uk
CLASSIC SECURITY (UK) LTD
Classic House, Alfold Business Centre, Loxwood Road, Alfold, Surrey GU6 8HP
Tel: 08445 610578 Web: www.classicsecurity.co.uk
BROADLAND GUARDING SERVICES LTD
Delta House, Vulcan Road North, Norwich, Norfolk NR6 6AQ
Tel: 01603 484884 Web: www.broadlandguards.com
CONSTANT SECURITY
Constant House, Cliff Street, Mexborough, South Yorkshire, S64 9HU Tel: 0845 330 4400
Web: www.constant-services.com
www.acspacesetters.co.uk
6
THE HALL OF FAME
CORPS SECURITY
Market House, 85 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6PF
Tel: 020 7566 0500 Web: www.the-corps.co.uk
INCENTIVE LYNX SECURITY 44 Loman Street, London SE1 0EH
Tel: 0845 1477 121
Web: www.incentive-lynx.com DANHOUSE SECURITY LTD
Elsinore House, 77 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8JA
Tel: 020 8748 9269 Web: www.danhouse.co.uk
INTERR SECURITY Linton House, 39-51 Highgate Road, London, NW5 1RS
Tel: 0207 837 2012 Web: www.interrsecurity.com
ELLIOTT THOMAS The Watermill, Spring Lane, Oxted, Surrey RH8 9PB
Tel: 0870 6000 026 Web: www.elliott-thomas.co.uk
KINGDOM SECURITY LTD
Kingdom House, Mill Brow, Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 4QG
Tel: 0845 051 7700
Web: www.kingdomsecurity.co.uk
ENIGMA SECURITY SOLUTIONS LTD
Vista Centre, 50 Salisbury Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW4 6JQ
Tel: 0208 572 9171 Web: www.enigmasecuritysolutions.com
LODGE SERVICE Brook Point, 1412 High Road, Whetstone, London N20 9BH
Tel: 0208 446 6601
Web: www.lodgeservice.com
GLEVUM SECURITY LIMITED
16 Wheatstone Court, Davey Way, Waterwells Business Park, Gloucester GL2 2AQ
Tel: 01452 729713
Web: www.glevum-security.co.uk
MJF CORPORATE GUARDING LIMITED
4 & 5 Faraday Court, Rankine Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 8PF
Tel: 01256 469427
Web: www.mjf.co.uk
GSL DARDAN LIMITED
Brooke House, John Hyrne Way, Longwater Business Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR5 OAF
Tel: 01603 447000
Web: www.gsldardan.co.uk
OAKPARK SECURITY SYSTEMS LTD
Asset House, 4 East Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 2TX
Tel: 01206 793673
Web: www.oaksec.co.uk
GUARDING UK LIMITED
Wenta Business Centre, Innova Business Park, Molison Avenue, Enfield, Middlesex EN3 7XU
Tel: 0870 2240277 Web: www.guardinguk.co.uk
OCS GROUP UK LTD
Tilgate Forest Business Park, Brighton Road, Crawley RH11 9BP
Tel: 01293 553121
Web: www.ocs.co.uk
GUARDSMARK UK
Unit 4210, The Waterside Centre, Birmingham
Business Park, Solihull, Birmingham B37 7YN
Tel: 0121 779 6550
Web: www.guardsmark.com
OCTAGA SECURITY SERVICES LTD
Octaga House, 17 St Owen Street, Hereford HR1 2JB
Tel: 01432 346 990
Web: www.octaga.co.uk
HARD HAT LOGISTICS Oaklands Business Centre, Hooton Road, Hooton CH66 7NZ
Tel: 0845 607 1966
Web: www.hhls.co.uk
OCTAVIAN SECURITY
Octavian House, Alder Court, Rennie Hogg Road,
Riverside Business Park, Nottingham NG2 1RX
Tel: 08700 123 999
Web: www.octaviangr.com
www.acspacesetters.co.uk
7
THE HALL OF FAME
OLTEC GROUP
Oltec House, 18 Beecham Court, Smithy Brook Road, Wigan WN3 6PR
Tel: 01942 829101
Web: www.oltecgroup.com
SPECIALIST SECURITY CO LTD
Unit B1 Lake View Business Park, Lamby Way, Rumney, Cardiff. CF3 2EQ
Tel: 02920 364 350
Web: www.specialistsecurityco.com
PROFILE SECURITY SERVICES LIMITED
Stable Yard, Walk House Farm, Barrow upon Humber, North Lincolnshire DN19 7DZ
Tel: 01469 533339
Web: wwwprofilesecurity.co.uk
SPS SECURITY LTD
Neptune House, Neptune Street, Hull HU3 2BP
Tel: 01482 226570
Web: www.sps-security.com REGENCY SECURITY SERVICES (UK) LIMITED
Regency House, Freeport Office Village, Century Drive, Braintree, Essex CM77 8YG
Tel: 01376 528888
Web: www.regencysecurity.co.uk
SUPPORT SERVICES GROUP LIMITED
Unit 19, Ergo Business Park, Kelvin Road, Greenbridge, Swindon SN3 3JW
Tel: 0870 241 5067
Web: www.ssg-net.com
RESOURCE (NI) LIMITED
Edgewater Business Park, Edgewater Road, Belfast BT3 9JQ
Tel: 028 9077 4799
Web: www.resource-group.com
THE KEYHOLDING COMPANY
Units 4 & 6, Quay Side Lodge, William Morris Way, London SW6 2UZ Tel: 0870 770 6880
Web: www.keyholding.com
RESOURCE (UK) LIMITED
Innovations House, Temple Point Business Park,
Bullerthorpe Lane, Colton, Leeds LS15 9JL
Tel: 0113 260 7328
Web: www.resource-group.com
THE SHIELD GUARDING COMPANY
23 Austin Friars, London EC2N 2QP
Tel: 0800 093 0248
Web: www.shieldguarding.co.uk
RISK MANAGEMENT SECURITY SERVICES
The Old Courthouse, Hughenden Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 5DT
Tel: 01494-441805
Web: www.riskmanagementsecurity.co.uk
TSS SECURITY UK
6 Portal Way, Acton, London W3 6RU
Tel: 0208 992 4499
Web: www.tsssecurity.com SECURIGROUP
349 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4AA
Tel: 0844 8080 999
Web: www.securigroup.co.uk TURNER FACILITIES MANAGEMENT LTD
65 Craigton Road, Glasgow, G51 3EQ
Tel: 0141 309 5523
Web: www.turnerfm.co.uk
SELECT SECURITY LIMITED
Unit 13, Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1SJ
Tel: 0800 731 5305
Web: www.selectsecurity.info
WARD SECURITY
A9 & A10 Spectrum Business Centre, Anthony’s Way,
Medway City Estate, Rochester, Kent ME2 4NP
Tel: 0845 847 6180
Web: www.ward-security.co.uk.
SHIELD SECURITY SERVICES LIMITED
Shield House, 294 High Street, Aldershot, GU12 4LT
Tel: 01252 319899
Web: www.shieldsecurity.co.uk
WILSON JAMES LIMITED
Darwin House, Bourne Park, Cores End Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. SL8 5AS Tel: 01628 535600
Web: www.wilsonjames.co.uk
SODEXO LIMITED
One Southampton Row, London WC1B 5HA
Tel: 0207 404 0110
Web: www.sodexo.com
www.acspacesetters.co.uk
8
PORTRAIT OF A PACESETTER
Guarding UK
‘Our word is our brand’
GUK is a leading independent provider of manned security services throughout
the UK, with a reputation for quality and good service. Now entering our
10th year of trading, GUK has grown to provide a wide range of services from
manned guarding, mobile patrols, key holding and front of house. We work on
behalf of clients in providing an effective customised asset protection service,
working collaboratively with owners, agents, tenants and asset managers
2013 has been an exciting year for GUK as not only are we celebrating
operating for 10 years but we have launched our new division, Reception
UK (RUK). RUK offers highly trained reception staff, providing concierge style
service, flexibility and an immaculate image, capable of supporting the day to
day running of your business.
Our senior management team is client attentive and customer driven. The team
brings a well-balanced skill set in achieving the goal of high quality service
delivery, with a focus on professionalism and an uncompromising commitment
to exceeding client expectations.
In everything we do, our mantra, whether in sales, operations or service
delivery, is
‘Always seek first to understand, before we are understood’.
This has shaped our development and the way we interact with our clients,
encouraging us to undertake a more consultative and collaborative approach,
one which our clients, including some of the largest and most prestigious
commercial property owners and asset managers in the UK, readily welcome in
today’s economic climate.
What GUK can offer your business:
• Cutting edge technology which has been custom built for GUK, giving you real time
information.
• A personal service offered by your dedicated Contracts Manager. You are our client and
not just a number.
• 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year help desk.
• A revolutionary virtual training academy, which allows GUK personnel to progress
through a range of self pacing training units linked to aspects of their roles.
• A member of SIA ACS (Approved Contractor Scheme) and currently hold one of the
highest scores in the country (146/149).
We are very proud to say that we are part of the Approved Contractor Scheme Pacesetters
membership – which is made up of the top 15% of Contract Security Guarding Companies
who scored more than +108 in their annual inspection appointed by UKAS inspection
bodies.
You can be safe in the knowledge that GUK will provide its clients with a uniquely tailored
service which will exceed expectations and show we are up to the task.
For further information on how GUK can support your security needs, please contact
our sales team 01992 655 650.
Guarding UK Limited
Wenta Business Centre, Innova Business Park, Mollison Park, Enfield EN3 7XU www.guardinguk.co.uk
9
Does your Security Team
expect the unexpected?
It is dangerous in any building not to regularly test fire and evacuation
procedures. When a real emergency occurs and procedures are found
wanting, then quite simply heads will roll and insurers will think long and
hard before necessarily agreeing to cover losses. So why should security be
any different? If we don’t regularly test it then it will almost certainly be
found wanting when asked to stand up and be counted.
The Silver Fox Audit is an established and recognised service, which is totally independent and designed to test
the effectiveness of Manned Guarding operations throughout the UK.
So how does the audit team operate? First and foremost it does not act in a ‘gung-ho’ manner by, for example,
either scaling walls or driving through barriers! Quite simply it tests the security team against the terms of the
approved Assignment Instructions by trying to gain access to the premises by normal means. The team operates
24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
The auditor uses many disguises. One moment he or she will be dressed as a top executive carrying a briefcase;
the next moment they may be dressed as a builder in hard hat and high visibility jacket; as a labourer carrying
a ladder or gardening tools; or as a rogue Security Officer wearing a jacket with ‘SECURITY’ emblazoned on the
back.
The one thing that members of the audit team do have in common is that they will be carrying fake
identification papers and will attempt to ‘bluff’ their way through any Control Point. They will also attempt
to ‘tailgate’ individuals or vehicles into premises. They have been specifically selected for this type of work
because they have the confidence to carry it off. You may argue that it is a brave Security Officer who will stop a
man who looks like a Chief Executive, is engaged on a mobile telephone and indicates that he is in a hurry – but
that is exactly why you are employing security so that they can expect the unexpected.
As soon as the exercise is completed the auditor carries out a de-brief with the officer on duty at the time and,
if available, the Site Supervisor. Subsequently, and certainly within 36 hours of the exercise having taken place,
a written report is produced.
So, in conclusion, we repeat the question about employing manned security and never testing it independently
to ensure that it is providing a level of service which you expect and for which you are paying.
For further information go to our website www.silverfox.org.uk or telephone
Lynda Moore on 01844 260350.
10
PARK HOUSE SECURITY TEAM WIN SILVER FOX AWARD
FOR RISK MANAGEMENT SECURITY SERVICES
In 2012, Risk Management Security Services were awarded the security manned guarding contract for Park
House, the prestigious new commercial, retail and residential development in Oxford Street, London.
On the 6th September 2013, at a ceremony in London, The Risk
Management team, led by Site Security Manager, Jonathan Brady, were
themselves awarded the eagerly sought after framed Silver Fox Certificate
in recognition of the exceptional service which they have provided since
the appointment.
Many manned security organisations can claim to provide vigilant and
exemplary service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but few are prepared
to test that boast by taking up the challenge of independent on-site
audits carried out by the highly regarded Silver Fox Audit team.
It is a measure of their success that, in presenting the award to Risk
Management Security Services, Terry O’Neil, Partner of FM Contract Watch,
commented that “The Park House team have given us one of our most
severe tests and the Silver Fox Audit team rate them very highly. In our
opinion this is exactly the sort of team that should be figuring successfully
in the annual Security Excellence Awards”.
It was fitting that the award was accepted, on behalf of the team, by Security
Officer Aaron Avery, who particularly distinguished himself at the end of a
long 12 hour night shift in July by thwarting one of the most experienced
Silver Fox Auditors and sending him on his way. Well done indeed.
For further information on Risk Management Security Services
go to www.riskmanagementsecurity.co.uk
Peter Kyte, Aaron Avery, Terry O’Neil
Graham Tilly, Jonathan Brady, Aaron Avery, Peter Smith
11
Specialist wholesale insurance
brokers to the security industry
Sutton Specialist Risks Ltd have
been established for over 20 years
arranging insurance for the specialist
needs of the security industry.
Our policy is underwritten by QBE & has been
since our start. Insurance for the security
industry is notoriously difficult to arrange with
many UK Insurers reluctant to offer cover. For
that reason we feel it is in a client’s interest to be
insured with a carrier committed to serving the
long term needs of security companies.
Note:
If you are insured via other security industry brokers they
will only be able to give you terms from their own scheme &
cannot access other schemes like ours – if that’s the case
please contact us & we can recommend a local broker who
can assist you.
Our specialist Policy offers…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Employers Liability
Public & Products Liability
Failure to perform contracted duties (inefficacy)
Legal liability for criminal & deliberate
acts by employees
Fidelity Bonding
Loss & Consequential loss of keys
Wrongful arrest
Professional Indemnity
Directors & Officers
Optional sections for property,
legal expenses & fidelity guarantee
Limits of indemnity up to £10m can readily
be arranged with higher on request.
Unlike many other policies we do not have inner limits
for inefficacy or wrongful arrest with cover up to your
full limit normally given.
Special Discounts
for SIA Approved
Contractors
• Discounted Premiums.
• 10% year end rebate (irrespective of claims history)
provided policy is renewed.
• Waiver of policy vetting condition.
View www.ssr.co.uk/security for more information.
insurance specialists to the
security industry
Sutton Specialist Risks Ltd
31 Great George Street
Bristol BS1 5QD
Products underwritten by
email: [email protected]
Tel: 0117 930 0100
Fax: 0117 927 9200
www.ssr.co.uk/security
OVER 20 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP