Bidvest Noonan

A market leading provider of facilities services and solutions

perspectivesummer22

Setting the standard for security training

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Figen Murray, OBE, joined the Bidvest Noonan team at Battersea Power Station to share her expertise and learn about Bidvest Noonan’s advanced security training. Describing Bidvest Noonan’s security strategy as “What the industry standard should be for places where large crowds gather,” she praised the efforts of the team at the Battersea site.

During her conversation with the team, Murray praised the First Person on Scene – International (FPOSi) training and medical strategy after seeing it in action. Provided by medical professionals, this training equips quick reaction teams to assess and treat people suffering from serious medical emergencies. The Battersea team are amongst the few security teams who have received this pioneering training.
Murray told us: “It was an absolute privilege to be shown around Battersea Power Station by Bidvest Noonan. I feel thrilled that a lot of the staff here have undergone the ACT awareness training and that many have also done lifesaving first aid training. The entire management team is deservedly, incredibly proud of what has been achieved so far. The whole complex feels like a living, breathing safe community, where I will have no hesitation whatsoever to bring my family for a shopping trip and meal out.”

Figen Murray is the mother of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the devastating Manchester Arena terrorist attack on May 22nd, 2017. Martyn was only 29 at the time. Following the attack, Murray has made it her life’s mission to promote peace and positive change in Martyn’s name. To this day, she has spoken to more than 15,000 secondary school pupils across England to raise awareness, be resilient to extremist influences and encourage them to shape a better world.

Photo of Figen Murray,OBE.

After graduating with a Masters in Counterterrorism in 2021, Murray has been campaigning to legislate security provisions for large group gatherings, labelled ‘Martyn’s Law’. Her dedication and work in counter terrorism saw her awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List. Murray talked about the Government’s CONTEST strategy to Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare within the context of the proposed Martyn’s Law, and the critical need for dedicated security people and systems in areas where large groups of people gather.

Managing Director, Liz Cummins, commented, “It was a privilege to welcome Figen Murray to Battersea Power Station and hear her speak of Martyn, and how she led the campaign to change legislation to ensure all of us are safer when out at public venues.
The environment we were in as we discussed our own focused approach brought to the fore families, friends and colleagues that we have a duty to protect, and which we continue to do so.
Figen resonated with me more than I could imagine when she spoke of her commitment to creating a kinder society, one that understands how tolerance and understanding has a rightful place over hate and fear. Her focus goes beyond our security industry and reaches out to early years and building resilience and knowledge of threats, both physical and learnt.
I have reflected on Figen’s last message, ‘a small act of kindness offers so much to humanity and society’ – something we all have a duty to act on.’’
Simon Rogers, CEO at Turret Training Ltd said, “The FPOSi trauma course delivered to Bidvest Noonan’s security teams covers everything from minor medical emergencies to multiple casualties with serious injuries. Each Security officer who attends has volunteered and their passion, care and hard work really demonstrates the quality of personnel on the estate.”

Jonny Kempster, Key Account Director at Bidvest Noonan added: ‘’What a pleasure to finally meet with and hear Figen’s personal story and everything she has achieved. It was clear that we are aligned when it comes to safety, security, and trauma response. We look forward to meeting her again soon.’’

Article originally published by the FMJ.

Philip Dearden joins Acuity’s senior leadership team

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Specialist Front of House service provider Acuity has announced Philip Dearden as its newly appointed Front of House Development Director. Philip, a highly accomplished leader, has a wealth of industry experience and a proven track record of building successful Front of House businesses.

This is the most senior appointment at Acuity since Bidvest Noonan acquired the business in 2021. Philip’s appointment signals the company’s commitment to investing in Acuity’s growth and development.

Acuity specialises in providing services such as reception management, meeting room management, event management and more to a growing portfolio of prestigious customers. As Front of House Development Director, Philip will be a key member of Acuity’s senior leadership team and will be responsible for the business’ strategic development. Philip will help Acuity to accelerate its innovation, enhance its services and establish a market-leading position.

Managing Director Liz Cummins commented on the appointment, “I’m delighted Philip has joined our senior leadership team. Philip has the vision, drive and expertise we need to accelerate Acuity’s growth. I know that Philip will be highly successful in his new role. I’m excited about the impact he will have on our business, our people and our customers“.

Commenting on his appointment, Philip said, “Acuity is an excellent business with a strong reputation, an impressive portfolio of customers and an outstanding support team. I joined Acuity because I recognised that it is a forward-looking business with an unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standards of service. I’m looking forward to working with Liz, Chiara and the team to deliver remarkable service to our customers and to grow our business“.

Photo of Philip Dearden and Chiara Di Rienzo
Philip Dearden joins Chiara Di Rienzo, Director, in Acuity’s leadership team.

Leading the Way in Social Responsibility

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Photo of Sarah Jane Cork, Managing Director

Managing Director, Sarah Jane Cork spoke to TPSO and shared her perspectives on social responsibility and discussed how Bidvest Noonan’s work with Employment 4 All is enabling disadvantaged and underrepresented groups to access training and employment opportunities.

TPSO: Bidvest Noonan have a well-developed social responsibility program; can you tell us a bit about that and some of your achievements?

Sarah:

We are committed to social responsibility; for us, that means acting ethically, minimising our impact on the environment while maximising the good we do for society. We have achieved a lot in this area.

In 2021, we launched Sunrise, our ESG community. Sunrise focuses on four works streams, Community, Workplace, Environment and Marketplace, to help us operate more sustainably. Sunrise is made up of a variety of Bidvest Noonan colleagues across each of our business units, who are passionate about corporate social responsibility.

Our Sunrise team have helped us to introduce a wide range of initiatives to reduce our impact on the environment and become a Net Zero business. For example, we are transitioning to a fully electric fleet and we have invested in a number of new technologies that are reducing our use of energy, water, and plastics.

As a people business, we have always valued diversity and inclusion. Last year, we launched our ED&I Council to help us develop a more diverse workforce and a more inclusive workplace. Our council has been very successful. In February, we received Diversity Mark’s Bronze Accreditation for our achievements in advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

We are proud to support charities and social projects which make a real difference for people, especially those that help disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. Like so many companies across the UK and Ireland, we played a role in responding to the pandemic, donating PPE including hundreds of thousands of face masks. Most recently, we have shown our support for people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, donating funds to charities working in the area and supporting client and community initiatives.

TPSO: How important do you think it is that companies walk their talk?

Sarah:

We believe that there are important social and environmental challenges that need to be addressed and it is incumbent on all of us to do what we can to address them. We work together and with our suppliers to continuously improve our environmental performance and to find new ways to support people in need. We see more and more companies making commitments and following up with actions in these areas and we celebrate that. We are all in this together.

TPSO: How did you get involved with Employment 4 All?

Sarah:

We want to give disadvantaged people in our local communities the skills and opportunities they need to secure meaningful employment, financial independence and play an important role in society. That is a good thing in its own right. We understood that Employment 4 All, working with the Department for Work and Pensions, could help disadvantaged and underrepresented groups while also providing a stream of highly motivated and well-trained people for the security industry. We were happy to work with Employment 4 All and to provide training and employment opportunities for people who need it.

Security training provided by Bidvest Noonan and Employment4All

TPSO: How does this initiative help people?

Sarah:

This initiative provides potentially life-changing opportunities for participants. Employment 4 All identifies suitable candidates through a process that involves conversations and background screening. Candidates who meet the needs-based assessment, demonstrate the right qualities and show a strong interest in building a career in the security industry are invited to attend our training programme.

Candidates are given all the support they need to be successful. If required, they are provided with help to obtain the necessary paperwork and documents of identification. During our training programme, candidates are provided with a free breakfast and, if needed, help to cover their transportation costs and to obtain childcare services.

My colleagues and I provide the training and information participants need to start their careers in our industry. Successful candidates are helped with their application for an SIA licence and given the opportunity to join Bidvest Noonan as Security officers. I am proud to say we have already had our first graduates of the programme, a number of whom have been offered employment with our business.

This article was originally published by TPSO Magazine

Driven by diversity

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At Bidvest Noonan, we are on a mission to embed acceptance into every aspect of our business, by championing equal opportunities for all. A good workplace is one that welcomes diversity, inclusion and everything that makes an employee unique. In an attempt to truly understand what it means to belong, we spoke to a few people across our business about what inclusion and diversity mean to them.

Photo of Security Supervisor, Dandy Adjare

Security Supervisor, Dandy Adjare, believes that it can extend to every aspect of society:

Diversity is what makes a community or society grow because everyone can bring something of their own to the table. Equality, when it exists, gives everyone the chance to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. In my eyes, feeling a sense of belonging can bring out the best in all of us.

Who you are, what you look like, or what you believe in, should not be a reason for anyone to treat you like you do not belong. Most things in this world do not come in the same shapes and sizes, so why should we?

In this world where we have so many differences, inclusion offers you a welcoming hand. Being given equal opportunities in a community, workplace, or society, is the best gift of all.

Photo of Reception Support Team Manager, Diego Cabrero

Our ED&I policies ensure our people are well supported, giving people equality in the workplace and a space in which to be heard and accepted. For Reception Support Team Manager, Diego Cabrero, these policies are crucial:

For me diversity is not how we differ, it is about embracing what makes each other unique. Being part of a company that promotes diversity and inclusion makes me feel like I belong to a positive and accepting work environment. And building a diverse workforce is a smart thing to do in any business.

Photo of Marketing Manager, Alina Cartas

At Bidvest Noonan, we encourage and support the development of innovative projects that promote equality and inclusion for all employees. Marketing Manager, Alina Cartas, makes the case that such policies add value to any environment:

To me, diversity is a wonderful thing. It is so natural that it shouldn’t even be a discussion or an issue — but purely common sense and part of being human. I have been very lucky because London welcomed me with open arms and I have not experienced any overt discrimination or racism.

I have never discriminated or treated anyone differently based on their gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation and it is not something that ever crosses my mind to do so. However, I think we all have the responsibility to educate ourselves on what others experience and try our best to promote inclusion. We cannot sit silently and think of diversity as someone else’s responsibility. I am so pleased to support Bidvest Noonan’s efforts in this area.

Photo of Uliana Bulgac, Receptionist

Receptionist, Uliana Bulgac has had a completely different experience herself, but her journey has also aligned her right along Bidvest Noonan’s mission for inclusion:

Somebody once told me that a ‘hybrid’ such as myself should not exist. I identify as a Romanian who has two mother tongues, being a mixture of Russian and Moldovan nationality.

Every life matters. Every human being represents a small world of their own with different social, religious and cultural backgrounds. There’s a story behind how each of us came into this world and we have every right to live here freely.

I see diversity as something that makes us special. As long as we can tell the difference between whether someone is good or bad, why should it matter what their nationality, skin colour, religion or sexual orientation is?

Inclusion is the ability to work together regardless of differences: just like the different pieces in a mechanical watch, each shape, size and material help make it a perfect whole. This only works when people accept, agree, improve and compromise to build healthy and productive relationships.

Photo of Front of House Security, Aga Hajira

At the London Pride Parade this year, Bidvest Noonan proudly marched alongside other security sector groups to represent the company’s allegiance to inclusion. Front of House Security, Aga Hajira, celebrates pride month and all that it represents:

Pride Month is a reminder to all of us that every person is unique. It’s a good time to remind myself and everyone around me to give and accept love, respect and support. If two adults truly love each other, what right does the rest of the world have to call it wrong?

Pride and diversity are the liberty to show one’s true identity and beliefs, without the fear of what others might think. It is the idea of living free of shame about who we truly are as individuals.

It is a privilege to celebrate who you are. This time every year is a chance to remember that point in our history when the LGBTQIA+ was finally recognised and welcomed into society. I applaud all the hard work, passion and courage the community has devoted to deserving the place they have made for themselves today.

Security Sector to March at London Pride 2022

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On 2 July, the security industry will come together for the first time to celebrate pride and LGBTQIA+ identities within the sector.

Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) at the International Professional Security Association

Organised by Satia Rai, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) at the International Professional Security Association, the groups will march at the London Pride Parade in a historic show of support and visibility for individuals within the industry.

Photo of Deborah Mills-Burns, Deborah Mills-Burns, Business Sector Director at Bidvest Noonan and ED&I advocate.

Deborah Mills-Burns, Business Sector Director at Bidvest Noonan will join Satia and the others at the pride parade with her wife and son to mark her journey as a working professional in the security sector.

ThisWeekinFM sat down with them to speak about how their own experiences have evolved within the industry and what this pride parade means to them.

Tell us About the Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Identities in the Security Industry Over the Years.

Satia: I’m a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. The security industry is not as inclusive as I’d like it to be; however, we are making good progress. In the last two years since I became a part of the ED&I side of things, I’ve observed that there has been a lot of lip service when it comes to inclusion, but it shuns the most important parts of the issue, output and action. That’s what I’m aiming to target, and we have gotten so much better at it. The fact that we’ve never attended a pride march before was an important place to start. I remember seeing the police and armed forces at previous pride marches. I was wondering where the security sector was because we are the ones stewarding and managing the security for the whole event. I began reaching out to the associations and got various leading service providers and security associations to be on board to march together this year.

Deborah: I’ve always encouraged colleagues to take part in pride. I was never at the forefront of it, but I have always advocated for involvement. I was a member of the armed forces at a time when it was more challenging for gay people. I spent the first three years of my service as a hidden person because of this. I never came out to my parents; it was my current wife who told my parents that I was gay. I never wanted to do it then, but I’m a totally different person now. Now, I’m probably one of the most open people you can come across because I understand that people are sometimes scared to ask questions because they don’t know if you’re gay. I always make it a point to call my wife, ‘my wife’, so I can be clear about who I am.

How Would you Say Acceptance and Allyship in the Workplace have Changed over the Years?

Deborah: In Bidvest Noonan now, I couldn’t feel any more supported. That’s not me being cheesy or promoting the brand. That’s just how I feel. Whenever I have a conversation with anybody, I openly talk about and reference my wife. There’s no awkwardness; it’s a genuinely welcoming environment. I do believe in our credo of putting people first; I think that demonstrates this kind of inclusion. But on the flip side of it, only four years ago, during our pregnancy, when my wife and I were working in different companies, everything felt a little more challenging for us even though we were going through the same thing as a heterosexual couple. During every step of the way, my wife needed to apply for leave at work because her employer at the time didn’t have policies in place to deal with our type of pregnancy. It might sound trivial, but it was hurtful. We went through a lot as a family. 

Satia: The last two years have seen a real collaborative effort. ED&I being embedded across our sector will enable it to be successful and ensure its growth. Education and visibility play a very important role. Now, people are having conversations about LGBTQIA+ history, pride, and allies. These are wonderful things to keep building on from a leadership perspective. When I started my ED&I journey as a Director, I introduced an ED&I specialist role into the team structure. It’s only a matter of time before the sector starts to create and have ED&I-specific roles in organisations who will focus solely on inclusion. We never had the special interest groups or role models that we have now. As we speak, there are about 72 countries where it is criminal to be who we are and 13 countries where it’s punishable by death. We have a voice and duty of care to raise awareness, stand in solidarity and make sure we are free to live happily in society. I’m hoping that this collaborative initiative will do more than just bringing us together to march. I hope it shows that we can come together and do more for the LGBTQIA+ community. 

What Does Pride Mean to You?

Satia: It means openness, it means joy, it means celebration. It means my niece can aspire and grow up in a world where she can be anything she wants to be, no matter what her background is. My parents were immigrants that came into this country, English wasn’t their first language. They struggled, my mum had four jobs and they did all this for me so our family could survive. I have to be the best version of myself for the sacrifices my parents made. Knowing this, I cannot sacrifice any version of my identity. So, when I try to make society a better place, it’s for my family, my colleagues, and all the diverse communities within it.

Deborah: I think a lot changes when you have children. For me, pride gives my son the opportunity to see the world from a different point of view and to normalise it in his own head, so he knows it’s normal to have two mums. For me, it is all about my son and making sure that he has the opportunity to grow up in a world that is completely different to the one I grew up in. Whichever way his sexuality goes, he can express it and be proud of where he comes from. Pride gives you a larger family and network of support.

How Do You Plan to Celebrate Pride This Year?

Deborah: We’re taking our son along with us to the pride march in London. We would not have come all the way to London if Bidvest Noonan was not going to be a part of this parade. I feel so supported in my role – the fact that I can take him to nursery and pick him up – the work-life balance is wonderful. When they asked me if I wanted to be a part of this, I thought it would be wonderful to showcase that family element. The fact the company supports that is very important to me. 

Satia: I’ve got the industry together to attend the actual parade. This year was the first time that we applied. They had a record number of applications this year. There are over 500 businesses that are parading. It’s so significant that we as a sector will be sending out a real message that things are changing. Come and be a part of this amazing sector because you are free to be who you are!

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 30 June 2022 by ThisWeekinFM

Miles ahead: transforming service delivery in the transport sector

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In this conversation, Stuart Cunningham, Business Development Director for our Transport Sector, shares his perspective on how a people-focused approach has helped us deliver the best service for commuters. He speaks about how Bidvest Noonan’s cleaning and security solutions have supported more than 1.5 billion journeys each year.

Tell us about your journey toward becoming a Business Development Director for our Transport Sector business unit

It is my 15-year anniversary working in soft services in the Transport Sector. Since 2007, I have always worked in sales roles for cleaning solutions within rail, tram, bus, coach, and aviation. I still love what I do, the people I work with and the great positive impact that we can deliver. I even find myself liking the challenges and obstacles that the cleaning industry throws up.

Our Transport Sector business unit delivers services to the UK’s largest bus and rail operators. What makes Bidvest Noonan a great partner for them?

We have our Credo and Vision embedded in our culture and in everything we do. Our people and our customer-focused dedicated approach helps us to deliver the best service on the market.

Our deep expertise in the Transport Sector enables us to present innovative and creative solutions that use the latest cleaning technology and processes. And most importantly, we understand and align with our customers’ requirements and expectations.

ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) has never been more important and it is a big topic inside our business. I’m really passionate about it and I was so proud to read and show my daughters the recently published environmental report. I believe we are heading in the right direction with this focus.

In your opinion, what sets Bidvest Noonan apart from competitors?

We are a large customer-focused services group with a rich history and fantastic infrastructure. The transport business unit operating under the Bidvest Noonan brand and infrastructure gives us the opportunity to offer greater support at every level. I love the fact that we have a great history, demonstrable capability and long-standing relationships.

Our transport management team’s experience and knowledge are unique. We have best-in-class teams supporting our frontline colleagues, from Health and Safety, Learning & Development to HR and Mobilisation teams. They understand the unique nature of our services in the Transport Sector.

What are the biggest challenges in delivering services to the Transport Sector?

Competition is fierce and because of the safety-critical and public-facing element of what we do, only a small band of companies can deliver that compliance and proactively operate within the sector. 

Our customers have fixed commitments around quality standards for their passengers. 

Our activities are mostly 24/7, 365 days of the year with a lot of work delivered in fast-paced environments. The balance between delivering sustainable quality and pressures on cost has never been tougher, we need to be constantly evolving and looking for fresh and innovative solutions.

What makes a good business development team?

The GB leadership team has given us tremendous backing. We now have a small, very tight team of passionate and creative solution designers in the Business Development team in the transport business unit. We talk every day and we operate as one, we are in it together. I believe that our Operations teams know that we always look to support them with development opportunities, understand the challenges of service delivery and ensure we reflect that in our solutions.

Today, we have a thought-through strategy, great intelligence on our marketplace and a healthy pipeline with some great opportunities.