G4S SSUK will deliver services across a minimum of 18 London sites and 21 buildings in the North; including four in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland. There is a possibility the number of sites will increase in line with the GPA's 'Places for Growth' programme. The contract will start on 1 October 2023.
The core security services across all of the sites will include duties such as surveillance and alarm monitoring, visitor management including access control, emergency response, keyholding patrol teams and car park management, voice announcement system operation, and in some cases flag flying duty.
The integration of security and technology will use data and analytics to ensure security officers are deployed to higher risk locations, and record security incidents. Incident reports will also be digitally recorded and shared promptly with the customer.
Eddie Hirst, Business Development Director Major Projects for G4S SSUK, said: “G4S SSUK has decades of integrated security experience especially in delivering requirements for customers covering recognisable and sensitive sites all across the country. We’re really excited to be able to play our part in supporting the Government’s Levelling Up and Places for Growth agenda by retaining and creating extra jobs in locations around the north of the UK.”
All of the nearly 300 members of staff who are employed by the incumbent contract holders will be offered the opportunity to TUPE to G4S SSUK and any new recruits will, like the current staff, be required to be Security Check (SC) cleared. Those who do TUPE to G4S SSUK will benefit from access to professional development opportunities during their working hours, including webinars, training courses and knowledge-sharing sessions for industry leaders via the G4S Academy.
“Having security officers just standing at building entrances is an outdated model. We know that offering professional development opportunities during work time helps to engage security officers and advances their careers; which we are committed to investing in.” said Eddie.