NOW WE`RE TAKING ON STARBUCKS HELPING NAIL THE

the link
Issue 17
October 2010
SAME NAME,
DIFFERENT
GAME
■ Page 9
For G4S employees
HELPING
NAIL THE
JOBCENTRE
THUG
■ Page 5
NOW
WE’RE
TAKING ON
STARBUCKS
■ Page 14
WIN A POCKET-SIZED CAMCORDER AND MAKE YOUR OWN MOVIES PAGE 20
Inside
Dog and bone
Care & Justice Services
A specially-trained dog is
helping to sniff out hidden
mobile phones at a prison.
■ Page 3
Best of 2010
Secure Solutions (UK) The
best-performing security
officers of the year have been
named at their annual awards
ceremony.
■ Page 4
Good eggs
Integrated Services Using
free-range eggs and local
produce has netted a team a
top animal welfare award.
■ Page 5
The rescuers
Utility Services Metering reps
have come to the aid of
elderly customers in a spate
of incidents while on duty.
■ Page 13
B&B contract
IN SAFE
HANDS
When Pope Benedict XVI visited the UK last month he
was protected by G4S Secure
Solutions (UK).
Assessment Services A joint
bid with G4S Ireland has
secured a contract to assess
over 4,000 B&Bs and selfcatering establishments.
■ Page 9
Triple trouble
Ireland A shopping centre
security team dealt with a
fire, a bag snatch and a
choking baby in the space
of a few days. ■ Page 13
Mountain men
Risk Management Two
officers from Iraq are to
climb Mount Everest in aid of
injured servicemen and
women.
■ Page 16
Sporty types
Technology Employees
raised the bar in the
fundraising stakes with a
successful sports day.
■ Page 16
Pope Benedict XVI
leaves Oscott College in
Birmingham on the last
day of his visit and,
inset, events stewards
at Hyde Park
Around 1,200 frontline Events employees
secured venues in England and Scotland
during the four-day tour of His
Holiness, the first Papal visit for nearly
30 years.
It was “hugely significant” for G4S
to be involved, said Mark Hamilton,
Managing Director, G4S Events.
At each of the events, parades and
processions during the visit, G4S
Events employees carried out essential
security tasks, including crowd management
and searches.
The Papal visit began with a procession
from Edinburgh airport to the Palace of
Holyrood House, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. There he received a state
welcome and audience with Her Majesty.
In celebration of St Ninian’s Day and the
Papal Visit, a historic pageant took place
along Princes Street, with 800 schoolchildren and over 1,000 pipers participating in the
event.
His Holiness then travelled to Glasgow,
where he performed Mass at Bellahouston
Continued on page 2
TELL US YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS: CALL ALAN RATCLIFFE ON 07891 703777
Page 2
the Link October 2010
Pope in
safe hands
From page 1
Park to a crowd of around
75,000 people.
In London, Pope Benedict
XVI met religious leaders and
attended an evening prayer vigil
at Hyde Park and a smaller ceremony at Westminster Cathedral.
On the final day of his visit,
His Holiness journeyed north
to Birmingham, for a celebration of Mass with the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry
Newman at Crofton Park and a
meeting of the Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales at
Oscott College.
“The UK has only been visited by the Pope on two previous
occasions, the last one being in
1982, and this is the first official State visit,” said Mark.
“It’s hugely significant for
G4S to be involved. State visits
are always important, but this
was unique in many respects –
such was the scale of the events,
that included State visit protocols and pastoral care elements.
“This gave rise to challenges,
which we met to ensure a good
experience of this historic visit
and the safety of the crowd
GCSEs help
bridge gap
Strong GCSE results show that
G4S is successfully bridging the
gap between young offenders and
their schools, an education
manager believes.
Secure training centres
Oakhill, Medway and Rainsbrook
recorded a total of 131 GCSE
passes, while HMP and YOI Parc
saw 16 in Art and Design.
Oakhill’s 42 passes was a
significant increase over last year,
which is a reflection of both the
older average age of its young
people and its education strategy.
Val Thomas, Head of
Education, said: “We’re very
pleased with our results this year,
which are a great achievement
both for our young people and
our teaching staff.
“It also shows the huge effort
to build strong links with the
schools, and ensure that children
are not disadvantaged by being in
custody at a crucial time in their
education.”
At HMP Rye Hill one prisoner
is studying for a Masters degree
with the Open University. In the
past, two students there
successfully completed Masters
degrees in Peace and
Reconciliation Studies – one of
whom now works for a Londonbased university.
Don’t miss out
Only a few weeks remain to
enter outstanding employees
into this year’s Care & Justice
Services Peter Olszak
Excellence Awards.
Employees are doing some
excellent work across the
business and deserve to be
recognised for their efforts.
A poster campaign has been
launched to encourage people to
enter their colleagues, and the
closing date for nominations is
30 November.
The award ceremony itself
will take place in early next year
– keep an eye on future issues of
The Link for more details and
the final results.
October 2010
HOW DOGS ARE TAKING THE LEAD IN THE WAR ON CRIME
Sadness as Oakington closes
The dedication of employees at Oakington
Immigration Removal Centre has been
praised by their manager as the site winds
down towards closure next month.
The Cambridgeshire centre houses up to
408 detainees looked after by a G4S team
of 232 – many of whom have worked there
since it opened 10 years ago.
The closure of Oakington was originally
due to take place in 2006 but it has
continued operating with a series of threemonth extensions. However, on November
12 its doors will shut for the last time as the
Home Office moves detainees to more
modern accommodation.
Centre manager Colin Hodgkins said:
“The team has lived with the stress and
anxiety of possible closure for four years.
“In spite of that people have remained
absolutely dedicated and totally
professional. Now there is a feeling of
genuine sadness – they have been part of a
close-knit team for a long time.
“Many have progressed their careers
here – all but one of my management team
has come through the ranks.
“The constant threat of closure means
that at times it has been frustrating working
here, but it has always been rewarding –
they are a good team and I wish them well.”
Jersey deal will
give all clear to
air ambulances
Critically ill hospital patients
being flown from Jersey to
the UK are now being protected by G4S.
The local G4S Cleaning Services team
has secured a contract with the Jersey
Emergency Transfer Service (JETS) to
ensure that its air ambulance planes are
fully decontaminated before and after
patients are transported.
Around 300 patients will be flown to
the mainland this year to receive care not
available on Jersey – including some who
are suffering a life-threatening injury or
illness and newborn babies in need of
special care.
The service also offers a route home
for patients returning to the UK when
they are unable to travel by commercial
airlines as foot passengers.
David Eccles, Senior Manager of the
Clean team: David, third left, with In-flight
Coordinator Ryan McNay, Infection Control
Sister Tracy Palmer and Pilot Jason Leech
Cleaning Services team, said: “Jersey
Health and Social Services Department
needs to ensure that none of the patients
using the service are at risk of potential
infection while being transported.
“As a result, G4S has been contracted
to ensure the highest standards are met
and patient safety is not compromised.”
NEW BBC HOME SAFE AND SOUND
A new state-of-the-art, £600m development will
be secured by G4S employees from next year.
The business has been awarded the oneyear contract with an option for a further year to
provide security personnel and services to the
36-acre MediaCityUK site in Salford Quays for
Peel Media.
The site will comprise a new base for
BBC North, a campus for the
University of Salford, 378
apartments, a 218-bed hotel, an
outdoor plaza twice the size of
Trafalgar Square and massive
studio facilities.
“Our customer-focused team
will be a valuable addition to this
exciting complex and will play a key
role in keeping the local community
safe and secure,” said Adrian Sigsworth,
Regional Director – North West.
tickets, targeting fare-dodgers and helping with
customer service.
Northern Rail operates 2,500 train services
every day for 15 million travellers in the North of
England.
Football fans in Scotland will continue to be
protected by G4S, after a contract extension
was agreed with Aberdeen FC.
Employees from G4S Events have
provided security, stewarding and
crowd management services to the
club for more than 10 years, and
will now continue to do so for at
least the next five.
Mark Hamilton, Managing Director
for Events, commented, “As the
stewarding providers at Pittodrie Stadium,
a good match experience and the safety of fans
are our main priorities,” said Mark Hamilton,
MD, Events. “As a result of this extension, we
will be able to continue our work to further
enhance the supporters’ experience.”
CONTRACT
WROUNIND-UPS
Northern Rail, the country’s biggest train
operator, has signed a new deal that will see
G4S employees continue to provide key
services.
The new three-year agreement will see our
teams carry out tasks including checking
G4S Northern Ireland has won two major new
contracts – to provide security at George Best
Belfast City Airport and three ports.
The three-year airport deal will see G4S
employees deliver passenger searching,
boarding card checks, x-ray screening, control
room operation and car park management.
The five-year contract with Larne Harbour
Ltd, meanwhile, comprises vehicle checkpoint
operation, passenger searching and screening
and security patrols at the Port of Larne, Troon
and Cairnryan.
G4S Jersey is celebrating after landing its first
major Facilities Management contract with the
Jersey Government, covering 140 sites.
The five-year deal will see a team of 12
maintain fire systems and equipment for all the
magistrates courts, States Chambers, schools
and colleges and Government offices on Jersey.
In addition, a separate contract has been
agreed that will see the team update and
replace emergency lighting for around 2,000
local authority houses spread across 12 estates.
“The contract with local government is a
significant stepping stone that will help us
further expand the FM side of our business –
and shows their confidence in our ability,” said
Peter Allman, Marketing and Communications
Manager.
ABOUT the link
G4S Link manager:
Jenny Brookman,
G4S Secure Solutions
(UK & Ireland)
020 8722 3173
jenny.brookman@uk.g4s.com
Design and writing:
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GOT A STORY IDEA?
email: thelink@pressgang.eu
write: The Link, Sutton Park House,
15 Carshalton Road, Sutton,
Surrey SM1 4LD
call: 07891 703777
text: 07805 117371
DEADLINE FOR YOUR DECEMBER ISSUE STORY IDEAS: 29 OCTOBER
In my
view
David Taylor-Smith MBE,
Regional CEO,
UK, Ireland and Africa
Flexibility
needed in
the face of
Govt cuts
A
s we move in to the last
quarter of the year, the
Government is
preparing to launch a far
reaching cost-cutting
programme.
As the UK government is
our largest single customer, this
programme will undoubtedly
bring risks and opportunities.
On the one hand, we expect to
assist the Government in
delivering efficiencies, whilst
at the same time we anticipate
that the Government will be
forced to consider outsourcing
services currently delivered by
civil servants.
Please can I ask for your
help in our response to this
challenge:
Firstly, please try your best
to deliver great service – a
happy customer is more likely
to consider us for new types of
service.
Secondly, please can I ask
you to be as flexible as possible
as we respond to requests to
help deliver efficiencies. I
realise that this is difficult but
we need to be helpful.
We continue to be
successful in building our
business and extending our
range of customers: as you
will see from the front page
we can now count His
Holiness, The Pope as a
customer!
I am also pleased by our
first major contract win in the
oil fields of Southern Iraq as
we start to provide ordnance
management to Lukoil, one of
the world’s largest oil
companies. This is an
important strategic contract in
a fast growing market and
should give us an excellent
opportunity to offer similar
services to other major
companies as they start work
on the rebuilding of Iraq’s
economy.
You will also read about
some great values-related
stories: from Robert Southall
who tackled a hammerwielding man in a Jobcentre,
to Les Godley who has just
completed 40 years of
customer service at Dover.
Please keep letting us know
what you and your colleagues
have been up to, whether at
work or at play, so that we can
continue to showcase the
qualities of those who work
for G4S, wherever they are
based. I look forward to
reporting back on the year as a
whole in a couple of months."
Thank you for your
continued commitment to G4S
and our customers.
WHY VILLAINS
FEEL HOUNDED
Criminals are being given paws
for thought by a new team of
highly-trained G4S hounds.
Sniffer dogs trained to detect explosives and
drugs are now being deployed at high-profile
events around the UK as part of the new
Canine Security Services team.
This summer alone G4S dogs and their handlers have helped secure events including
Wimbledon, V Festival, T in the Park and the
Pakistan vs Australia test match at Headingley.
Training and Operations Manager Pat
Stewart and full-time Trainer Lee Deighton
are now putting dogs and handlers through
their paces at the G4S National Training Centre in Luton.
Lee told The Link: “We like to do business
responsibly and will select our dogs carefully
from established breeders.
“However, we are occasionally able to take
one from a rescue centre, assess it as suitable,
and then train it to the same standards.
“We train them in one discipline only –
drugs, explosives or general purpose – and we
use a reward-based system.
“They’re never pushed and how long they
take to train varies from dog to dog.”
Lee, who spent eight years in the Army as a
COMING
UP
Management Roadshows
The next series of Management
Roadshows will be held on 29,
30 November and 1 December
at venues around the country.
All managers are welcome to
attend to receive a business
update and a chance to meet
colleagues from other G4S
businesses.
All the details are in the
‘News & Events’ section of the
intranet.
Diary Dates
3 November
UK & Ireland national employee
Excellence Awards. Read about
the winners in the December
issue.
3-4 November
Senior Managers Forum –
where the top team of each
business get together to discuss
future business strategy.
7 December
Induction day for new managers
– to book email
dianne.mathie@uk.g4s.com
Three months to go until
all old G4S logos must be
replaced.
After 31 December 2010
there should be none of the
old ‘Group 4 Securicor’ logo.
The Link is on a mission
to seek out any old logos
that have been missed.
● If you spot one tell us
where it is:
Text 07805 117371
Email thelink@pressgang.eu
Trainers use a
system based
on rewards
dog trainer, attended Headingley to oversee
the team of handlers and four explosivedetecting dogs.
“It went really smoothly,” he said. “Both
our existing handlers and those new to G4S
are very skilled and the dogs are excellent.
“Their inter-personal skills when dealing
with the public were commendable as well.
“The client was so pleased that we’ll be
going back for future events.”
Nick Batchelor, Director, added: “We’re
already supplying dogs and handlers to a number of Secure Solutions (UK) contracts and
customers, and we’re expanding continually
both in terms of the types of customer and the
specialist nature of the work.
“Other G4S businesses, such as Care &
Justice Services, have an emerging use for
dogs as well.
“We’re in discussions to see how our services can complement the existing portfolio we
offer those customers.”
the Link Page 3
39
million
What’s it all about?
Alfie the sniffer dog
hunts for explosives
with trainer Lee
Deighton
The number of meter
readings by Utility
Services each
year
MAX THE MOBILE MENACE
Prisoners beware – there’s a new dog
on the block at HMP & YOI Parc, spearheading a crackdown on mobile
phones.
In fact, five-year-old Max has been
sniffing out drugs at the Bridgend prison
for four years, but he’s just become
Wales’ first-ever phone-detecting dog.
Along with handler Gareth Kite,
pictured left, super spaniel Max is now
weeding out mobiles and phone
components such as batteries and SIM
cards, which are highly restricted.
Gareth, a former RAF dog handler,
told The Link: “We’re carrying out both
random and intelligence-led searches,
as mobiles can be used by prisoners to
intimidate victims, organise crimes or
access the internet.
“Max was trained by South Wales
Police, and I was amazed at the talents
he demonstrated and how quickly he
was able to pick up the scent of
mobiles and components.
“Having such a talented detection
dog is a great deterrent, as prisoners
know we will sniff out any phones.”
Anna Marie Jackson, Deputy Security
and Operations Manager at Parc, said:
“Mobile phones are a growing problem
within UK prisons as technology is
becoming smaller and harder to detect.
“Gareth and Max are a real credit to
the security department here at Parc,
and hopefully the new skills learnt will
be a real asset to the business.”
Recognition
for service
The outstanding work at G4S’s
three UK secure training
centres has been recognised
with the award of the Investors
in Excellence Standard.
Medway, Oakhill and Rainsbrook STCs achieved the
nationally recognised mark of
quality thanks to the standard of
the service being provided to the
young people in their care.
Christine Wood, Director of
Policy and Performance, said: “I
would like to say a huge thank
you and congratulations to
everyone for their help and support in achieving this standard.”
the Link October 2010
October 2010
SECURITY EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2010 AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Best of the best
Outstanding employees from across Secure Solutions (UK) were honoured at last month’s Security Employee of
the Year 2010 awards. Winners of Employee of the Month from across the business were invited to the event,
and then a lucky few were singled out for further awards, including the seven values awards, MD’s Award for
Outstanding Act and the overall Security Employee of the Year award. The winners were presented with their
trophies by HR Director Valerie Dale and Group Managing Director Doug Hewitson at the ceremony in Cheshire.
said: “Wendell and Natalie use their
skills and any known intelligence to
asses a situation and act
appropriately.
“They have a full understanding
of criminal and police law – and
their quick-thinking saved the banks
a lot of money.”
CUSTOMER FOCUS
An incredible ability to remember
the names of hundreds of employees
and make them feel special saw
Security Officer John McGill
named as the winner of the Customer
Focus award.
“His ability to remember the
names of all the RBS employees that
enter his building in Edinburgh, and
give them all a personalised greeting
every morning, is something the
other members of the team can only
aspire to,” said Gary Barrett, Area
Manager.
“In a time when many people
seem to focus solely on getting a job
done, John continues to add the
human touch,” he added. “Without a
doubt, he takes great pride in
continually providing our client with
a world-class five star service.”
PERFORMANCE
For his skill in dealing with a number
of incidents at schools in London,
including a fire alarm, flood and a
trapped employee, Mohammed
Hussein was a worthy winner of the
Performance award.
Patrol Officer Mohammed arrived
at Bow Boys School before the
emergency services when a fire
alarm went off in the early hours of
the morning. He got the situation
under control and made sure fire
engines could access the school
grounds.
He also stepped in when an
employee became trapped at the
Harry Robert School due to a system
malfunction, and pitched in to help
when there was a flood at the Clara
Grant School.
TEAMWORK AND
COLLABORATION
Two of Europe’s most wanted graffiti
vandals were finally arrested after
excellent work by Michael
Bavangila and Keith Horne.
The pair, part of the Mobile
Response Unit at the Olympic
construction site in East London,
spotted two vandals, kept them under
observation and then guided police
to them. Their outstanding work and
the resulting arrests led to Michael
and Keith winning the award for
Teamwork and Collaboration.
“The two arrested following
excellent work from these officers
were subsequently investigated and
arrested for multiple graffiti crimes
within London,” revealed Alan
Acts that
are simply
outstanding
BEST PEOPLE
Winning line-up:
the year’s best
security employees
with their trophies
Everyone agrees: Frank’s the greatest
No task is too big for Devonbased Customer Support Officer
Frank Price, who was beaming
after being named Security
Employee of the Year 2010.
Frank receives
his award from
Valerie Dale
Whether it’s gritting paths and
roads during a winter blizzard to
ensure customers can reach his
Torquay Contact Centre, rescuing
trapped birds, greeting customers
or helping with charity fundraising,
Frank brings the same
commitment to every job he’s
called on to perform.
“When Frank joined the site,
within a few weeks he turned
the level of service from
satisfactory to outstanding,”
said John James,
Operation Manager,
Telereal Trillium.
“The customer
has such a high
regard for him,
that they
regularly
nominate him
to be recognised as they see him
as a key part of the team, and
whenever I visit, employees of all
levels praise his work.”
Frank also won the Integrity
values award, for the work he has
done to raise money for charities
such as Help for Heroes, the
Lifeboat Appeal and the Poppy
Appeal, among others.
John added: “Frank carries out
his duties above and beyond his
normal day-to-day work. This is
demonstrated every day and is
the norm rather than the
exception.
“He undertakes all his duties
knowledgeably, proficiently and is
dedicated to his job. Frank will go
the extra mile to be of help to
anyone, is totally trustworthy and
a great asset to G4S.”
A pair of bank card fraudsters were
caught after being spotted and
trailed by undercover store
detectives Natalie Anderson and
Wendell Daniel.
On being informed that there was
a person suspected of being
involved in credit card fraud,
Natalie and Wendell, who work on
the O2 contract in London, went to
investigate.
He was no longer in the store
when they arrived, but they checked
the area and spotted two men acting
suspiciously at a cash machine.
Wendell took pictures of the men’s
actions on his Blackberry while
Natalie called the police. When they
heard sirens, the suspects took off,
but Natalie and Wendell followed
and the pair were soon arrested.
They were charged with
defrauding two banks of hundreds
of pounds, and police believe they
are part of a gang that had been
stealing from ATMs using cloned
cards.
Their actions earned the two
officers the award for Expertise, and
Covert Supervisor Paul Lambourn
The evening also saw the
presentation of the Managing
Director’s Awards for Outstanding
Acts.
One went to Robert Southall,
after he tackled a hammer-wielding
man who attacked JobCentre Plus,
Longton. Robert held the man in a
bear hug until the police arrived.
The second went to Peter Farley,
who works on the Telereal Trillium
South East contract. When a
member of the public collapsed
Peter recognised the symptoms as
those of a diabetic, and made the
recommendation of how best to
treat him. Without his actions the
man may not have recovered.
■ Two employees who have
clocked up 40 years’ service were
recognised with awards: Leslie
Godley of Transport and Borders,
and Mobile Patrol Officer Martin
Horrocks (see page 18).
Nathan, Head of Operations.
“In addition, they were
investigated for similar crimes
spanning the whole of Europe and as
far away as Australia. Due to
Michael and Keith’s excellent
awareness and performance of duty,
two high-profile international graffiti
artists have been caught.”
EXPERTISE
As one of the first faces people see
when they arrived at the Olympic
construction site in East London,
Habibun Nessa has taken a proactive approach to training her team.
Her work in creating an induction
pack for new G4S employees has
ensured that Receptionist Habibun
was the winner of the Best People
award.
“Habibun is continually looking
for ways to improve, not only her
own performance but that of the
team as well,” said Joan Young, Pass
Office Manager.
“She has been singled out for
praise on several occasions by
UKBA and she is a real credit to
G4S – professional, competent, a
high-performer, valued and trusted
by a variety of customers and a real
team player.”
Cracked it! Welfare
award for food team
Dedication to buying free
range and locally produced
foods has won the Met Office
team in Exeter a prestigious
animal welfare award.
For the past year the G4S
team has helped ensure that
all 36,000 eggs consumed are
free range.
That commitment netted it
the Good Egg Award at a
ceremony at St Paul’s
Cathedral, where TV wildlife
presenter Bill Oddie handed
the trophy to Liz Drew, Client
Services Manager.
“It’s definitely something for
us, the client and caterers
Eurest to be proud of, as it’s
very much a joint effort.
Hopefully it’s something other
G4S contracts can strive to
achieve as well,” she said.
As well as free range eggs,
all vending machines on the
site are stocked with Fair
Trade snacks and hot drinks,
and Liz added: “If there’s an
Good eggs: Helen Stevens,
Compass Group (Eurest)
and Liz with Bill Oddie
evening event, we always look
to source the food and drink
for it from the area.
“Looking ahead, we’d like
to aim for a Good Chicken
Award as well, recognising the
consumption of free range
chickens. This does come
with a cost to the customer,
but it is something we’ll
approach the client about.”
because of the perception of
hospital food, but when they
tried it they were delighted.
“The Chief Executive said
she’d be happy to serve the
food to anyone, and we’re very
happy with the positive
feedback. It’s also helped
improve our working
relationship with the board.”
Senior chef Sheila
Ravikumar added: “We
believe we serve good food
here, so we’re delighted
with the comments from
the tasting.”
As well as
impressing the
board, the team
on the North
West
London
Hospital
contract
has also
received a
5-star food
hygiene rating
from the local
authority.
Food served to patients by G4S
at two London hospitals has
received a big thumbs up from
board members at a recent
tasting session.
Around 700 patients are
served food prepared by
Integrated Services chefs every
day at Northwick Park and
Central Middlesex Hospitals.
And at their recent
Hospital Trust meeting
board members, including
Chief Executive Fiona
Wise, sampled a
complete menu of hot and
cold meals.
Among the dishes
they tasted were
vegetable lasagne,
sweet and sour
chicken, lamb
massala, cottage
pie and a
selection of
sandwiches.
Craig De Venny,
Head of Catering,
said: “There was a
little scepticism at first
PERFORMANCE
TEAMWORK AND
COLLABORATION
EXPERTISE
CUSTOMER FOCUS
CARE
BEST PEOPLE
INTEGRITY
Commended:
Mark, left, and Lee
CARE
Manchester’s parks are a safer place
thanks to the constant efforts of
Matt Hayes, whose actions have
recently resulted in the safe return
of an abducted four-year-old and the
arrest of two graffiti vandals.
The two youths had sprayed
racially-motivated graffiti in
Wythenshaw Park, where his actions
also helped police recover the child
that had been taken from the play
area by a gang of teenagers.
Incident Response Officer Matt
collected the Care award for his part
in both incidents, and Alan Brierley,
Contract Manager, said: “I have
known Matt for the last 13 years,
and he has been one of the most
reliable, dedicated and professional
officers that it has been my pleasure
to work with.
“I have often sought his
assistance over the years where I
needed an officer to resolve a issue
or stabilise a situation.
“It is genuinely pleasing to see
Matt receiving individual
recognition for his years of hard
work and dedication to not only
G4S, but the Manchester City
council contract and the people of
Manchester.”
Robert receives his award
from Doug Hewitson
Knuckleduster thug
jailed for six years
A violent thug who attacked
two G4S security officers with
a knuckleduster has been
jailed for six years.
Junior Renford, 44, of Sidcup, Kent,
pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive
weapon at Woolwich Crown Court.
An irate Renford had gone to Jobcentre
Plus in Bexleyheath, London, earlier this
year after being told by phone that his benefits had been stopped.
When officer Mark Hoskins approached
to ask how he could help, he was punched
in the temple and knocked unconscious. His
colleague Lee Tyler then ran to assist, and
the Link Page 5
Just what the doctor ordered
VALUES
Page 4
was then himself punched in the jaw.
Lee told The Link: “Mark had hit his head
on a concrete post and was bleeding on the
floor, and I saw a man shouting and screaming so I tried to calm him down.
“He punched me and shouted, and when I
got back up he just calmly walked out the
front door.”
The emergency services were quickly on
the scene and, while Mark was being treated,
Lee went with police officers and spotted the
assailant at a nearby bus stop, where he was
arrested.
“It was only after he was arrested that I
realised he’d been carrying a knuckleduster –
I was shocked,” said Lee.
It was later discovered that Renford had
been banned from the site because of a previous incident – and was on probation for
another offence at the time of the attack.
“He’s a nasty piece of work and I’m glad
that he won’t be a threat to members of the
public now for a number of years,” Lee
added.
As a result of the attack, Mark was unable
to return to work for four months – and both
he and Lee were commended for their
actions.
Meanwhile, Lee also received the employee of the month award for the Telereal Trillium account and was a finalist at the Security
Employee of the Year awards (see opposite).
Cook like Sheila!
SHEILA’S RECIPE FOR COTTAGE PIE
INGREDIENTS
● 100g chopped onions
● 35g oil
● 400g beef
● 18g worcester sauce
● 400g cooked potato
● 25g butter or margarine
● Milk
● Salt and pepper
METHOD
1 – Cook the onion in the fat or oil withou
t
colouring.
2 – Add the meat from which all fat and
gristle has been removed.
3 – Season and add sufficient Worcester
sauce to bind.
4 – Bring to the boil; simmer for 10-15
mins.
5 – Place in a pie or earthenware dish
6 – Prepare the mashed potatoes and pipe
or arrange neatly on top.
7 – Brush with milk or egg wash.
8 – Cook in the oven for 30-40 mins.
Summertime and
the going is busy
It’s the busiest time of the year
for the team at Southampton
Docks, with up to four cruise
liners and thousands of
passengers arriving each
weekend.
As well as meeting and
greeting holidaymakers as
they arrive and disembark, the
G4S team also carries out
airport-style screening and
searches.
Each ship brings an average
of 2,000 passengers, with the
same number boarding again
the same day, and Cruise
Manager Elaine Smith,
pictured right, described it as
“extremely busy”.
“We haven’t had a weekend
off since the season started in
April and that’s fairly usual,”
she added. “However, the
ships are getting bigger. Some
of them carry 3,500 people,
so that’s 7,000 passengers for
the team to process in about
10 hours.”
It’s been so busy that
frontline employees from
Aviation, Dover harbour and
Special Events have been
called in on occasion to help
operate the x-ray machines to
screen luggage.
Supervisor Elizabeth
Forder is part of the meet and
greet team at Southampton,
and said: “It can be hard work
when it’s very busy, but we
have to make sure the ships
depart on time.
“We also help with the
passengers that require
wheelchairs, make sure all the
luggage is in the correct
places and do the check-ins.
It’s important to be friendly at
all times so people start their
holidays with a smile.”
Later this month, the team
will be welcoming the new
Queen Elizabeth cruise ship
for an official naming
ceremony.
Port emergency as
passenger collapses
A heart attack victim is
recovering in hospital after
receiving aid from frontline
G4S employees when he
collapsed at Southampton
port.
Supervisor Julie Harding
was first on the scene when
the passenger fell to the
ground in the check-in area,
and colleagues Ron Clayton,
Mobility Team Leader and
Check-in Officer Cynthia
Roach also rushed to help.
Ron said: “Julie spoke to
ambulance crews on the
phone, and I knelt down next
to the gentleman and felt for a
pulse. It was very shallow.”
Julie and Cynthia then
performed CPR until the
crash team from the berthed
ship arrived and took over.
The trio won praise from
the customer for their actions,
with P&O’s Adam Sharp
commenting: “Everyone
knows how daunting it can be
to be confronted by this type
of situation – and the way in
which it was dealt with by
these three employees, who
then carried on normally with
their duties, is admirable.”
Page 6
the Link October 2010
October 2010
How Bo makes light of losing weight
Super-dieter Bo Naiwo has
stunned colleagues by
shedding more than four stone
in four months – despite never
setting foot inside a gym.
London-based Security
Supervisor Bo lost 57lbs by
sticking to his own diet and
exercise regime, fitting it
around his 60-hour week.
He said: “I used to get chest
pains, suffered from asthma
and had high blood pressure.
“I went to the doctor and he
advised me to lose weight, so
I did some research on the
and he now tips the scales at a
svelte 11st 3lb.
“I downloaded an app for
my phone that shows how far I
walk, and each day I do
12,000 steps – around eight
miles,” he said.
internet and drew up a plan
that would work for me.”
Cutting out certain foods,
skipping dinner and walking
at work instead of using lifts
all played a part as Bo lost
weight at an incredible pace,
BO’S TIPS TO BEAT THE BULGE
■ Have an early evening meal
(6.30-7pm)
■ Eat lots of fruit
■ If you get hungry in the day,
snack on healthy nuts, such as
almonds
■ Get off the bus one or two
stops early to increase exercise
■ Use the stairs at work
instead of lifts
■ Burn 750 calories a day by
doing 12,000 steps
*As with any weight loss programme, it is sensible to consult your doctor first.
“When I went back to the
doctor recently, my blood
pressure was excellent, and
my asthma has gone as well.
“I sleep much better than I
used to and have much more
energy in the day – I feel
great!”
He added: “In the job we
do, we spend a lot of time
sitting down, and it’s easy to
gain weight.
“Hopefully I’ve shown that
you can stay fit and healthy by
making some simple lifestyle
choices.”
Back to work
Chance for
jobseekers
TAGGING DOCUMENTARY GETS AUTHENTIC TOUCH
Acting the part:
Jessica attaches a
tag to the actor
A team has been launched
to help the Government
get tens of thousands of
unemployed jobseekers
into work.
The 18-strong Welfare to Work
team, which sits within G4S Care &
Justice Services, aims to become the
largest provider of welfare-to-work
services in the UK.
Day to day, the team will be liaising with the Government on the best
ways to get jobseekers into work,
looking at how welfare-to-work systems function elsewhere, building a
network of partners – such as specialist job brokers – and winning and setting up Work Programme contracts.
WHEN JAIL
IS NOT THE
ONLY OPTION
A film that shows the difference
between going to prison and
getting a community sentence
has been created with help from
the G4S Electronic Monitoring
team.
The documentary-style DVD
was commissioned by the
National Offender Management
Service (NOMS), and is based
on the Gwyneth Paltrow film
Sliding Doors.
In it, the life of an offender is
played out in parallel – it shows
the different impacts that going
to prison or staying in the
community on an electronically
monitored curfew has on his life.
And it was given an air of
authenticity by Field Monitoring
Officer Jessica Bird, who fitted
the actor’s ankle tag between
takes.
“They were interested in
seeing how it works and hearing
about what I do on a day-to-day
basis,” she told The Link.
“For me, it was really
interesting to see how it was
filmed, but I was a little
disappointed not to star in it!
I’ve never done anything like this
before, and it’s something to tell
people about in the future.”
We are all
partners
in reform
Heading the team is Managing
Director Sean Williams, who joins
G4S from Serco and brings a decade
of experience in helping disadvantaged jobseekers into secure and sustainable employment.
He said: “This is a unique opportunity to improve the lives of the 5.5
million people of working age currently claiming out-of-work benefits.
“G4S is a long-term partner for the
reform and improvement of welfareto-work in the UK, and it’s a great
time to be joining an organisation
with the scale, capacity, jobs, partners
and vision to transform welfare-towork in this country for the better.”
On-the-spot heroes help out in motorway smash
On the spot: Sarah, Richard and Richenda
When a lorry smashed into a car on
the motorway right in front of them,
three G4S detainee custody officers
rushed to help.
Milton Keynes-based DCOs
Richard Leigh, Sarah Trinder and
Richenda Tone were travelling north
on the M1, when ahead of them a
lorry suddenly swerved into a car,
forcing it into the central reservation.
As Sarah called the emergency
services, Richard and Richenda ran
to the car, where the female driver
was in shock.
Richard said: “She was
screaming, so we calmed her down,
stopped the traffic and carried her to
the safety of the hard shoulder.”
After using their first aid training
and supplies to treat the woman’s
injuries, Richard noticed the lorry
driver had not left his vehicle, and
went to investigate.
“He was lying on the floor of his
cab, and was in shock and shaking
violently,” he said. “I got him into his
seat, and eventually I was able to
reassure and calm him down.”
The officers stayed on the scene
until paramedics arrived and took
over, before giving statements to the
police and resuming their duties.
T P
Colleague Sally
Jex tipped off Lin
k
editor Alan Ratclif
trio’s part in the fe about the
mo
rescue story and torway crash
as a result has
won this issue’s
Top
If you’ve got a goo Tip Tenner.
d story call
Alan on 07891
7037777
TIP!
the Link Page 7
WORKING TOGETHER: TEAMWORK TRIUMPHS
Protesters
foiled at
BA AGM
Shirley-Ann Summers and
Helen Coombs get a taste
of Romany life
Romance
of life on
the road
A celebration of Gypsy and
Romany culture, music and
dancing in Cardiff was
sponsored by HMP Parc.
The event was part of a
nationwide drive to raise
awareness about Gypsy and
Traveller communities in the
UK, and explore some of the
myths that surround them.
Films, workshops and stalls
celebrated their past and present,
while there were exhibitions of
traditional dancing.
Parc employees Shirley-Ann
Summers, Helen Coombs and
Ruth Birch supported the
organisers throughout the day.
Ruth said: “There is still a lot
of mistrust towards Gypsies and
Travellers, so events like this are
important in helping to break
down barriers.
“It was interesting as well as
fun, and I enjoyed seeing the
two original painted caravans
that were on display, complete
with working wood-burning
stoves.”
G4S employs
20,035
security officers
(UK&I)
Peaceful
protests
A double demonstration of 700
protesters through Wales’ two
biggest cities was kept under
control with help from G4S.
Crews and vehicles from
Police Support Services, Court
Services and HMP Parc assisted
South Wales police during the
marches through Cardiff and
Swansea.
Not only was it a large
operation, the fact the protesters
were from opposing movements
– the Welsh and English
Defence Leagues and United
Against Fascism – presented a
further challenge.
Gerry Maher, Senior
Operations Manager, said:
“Thankfully the protests took
place without major incident,
and I have no doubt that the
presence of our cellular vehicles
had a sobering effect.
“It went very well on the day,
and it was a successful joint
operation between different
parts of G4S and the police.”
Hundreds of delegates at British
Airways’ recent high-profile
AGM were protected thanks to
the joint efforts of employees
from Risk Management and
G4S Events.
More than 600 shareholders
and senior BA figures attended
the AGM at the QE2 Conference
Centre in London, which several
protest groups chose to mark
with demonstrations.
The venue was secured day
and night by a team of 54 Events
employees, who carried out bag
searches of all attendees.
A Risk Management team
planned and oversaw the
operation, in close co-operation
with the BA Corporate Security
Team.
Jim Batty, Director of
Consulting for Risk
Management, said: “Everything
was very controlled and
professional.
“The protesters were vocal,
but the combination of our wellplanned security solution and
the G4S officers helped to
ensure it stayed under control.”
Adriaan Brynard, Regional
Manager, Events, added:
“Overall it was a very successful
joint operation. We’ve worked
with Risk Management before
and have a good relationship.
“Each team understands the
other’s skills and knows what is
expected of them, and we look
forward to working with them
again in the future.”
for victory
as festival
is secured
Thousands of music lovers were
kept safe and secure at this
year’s sellout V Festival thanks
to the efforts of two G4S teams.
It is one of the biggest events in the festival
calendar, and 85,000 people braved the weather
to flock to Staffordshire last month to see
performances from A-list acts such as Kings of
Leon, Stereophonics and Madness.
A team of more than 1,400 G4S employees
from Events and Police Support Services
protected the site and festival-goers day and
night throughout the weekend.
The Events team patrolled the stage areas,
entertainment village and campsite,
checked tickets and wristbands, secured
all access points and monitored the
wellbeing of crowds during music
acts.
A team of 29 from Police
Support Services meanwhile
helped the police by manning
an on-site custody suite to
process anyone detained during
the festival, and transported them
off-site if necessary.
Jim McDonald, Operations Director, said: “It
was a big success. I’ve been doing V Festival
Ticket
scanning
helped secure
the festival
since 1996 and this one is up there – the client
is ecstatic.
“We had nothing but praise from everyone,
and even thousands of members of the public were
thanking our officers for their
professionalism as they left.”
Adam Bott, Police Support
Services Service Delivery Manager, added: “It went really well.
Our team did a fantastic job to provide an excellent standard of care for detainees, and I’m very
proud of them.”
AFGHANISTAN DAN IS
THE MAN FOR RAF
A Rye Hill prison officer has received a
commendation from the RAF after
completing a tour of duty in
Afghanistan.
Danny Morris has served with the
Royal Auxiliary Air Force for seven
years, during which time he has been
called up for duty several times.
He recently returned from
his latest six-month tour
with a commendation
for his part in
establishing hi-tech
field communications.
He said: “Part of
my role while I was
out there was
implementing a
communications
setup using a new piece of kit, which
helped different units co-ordinate with
each other better in the field.
“I was told that as a reserve I went
above and beyond what was required
of a regular, and that they were pleased
with the way I worked and carried
myself – and I was very pleased to
receive the commendation.”
Danny has worked in a number of
roles since joining the Rye Hill team in
2004, including Prisoner Custody
Officer and Acting Care and
Separation Manager.
Now a Visit Officer, working with
visitors to the prison and their families,
Danny added: “There are similarities to
working with the RAF. Both require you
to be mentally tough and deal with
stressful situations.
“The two complement each other
well, and I would say that my time with
the RAF has definitely helped me
develop as a person.”
VIPs: United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, left, was
among those secured when FIFA visited Manchester
FIFA chiefs get
VIP treatment
England’s bid to host the
supporter it was great to be
2018 World Cup was
involved in the bid.
supported by G4S recently
“It was a really good
when a delegation of FIFA
evening and it ran really
officials arrived to inspect
smoothly, but it was a bit of
several stadiums.
a surprise at the end when
G4S employees
the FIFA party decided to
accompanied the party,
walk back to their hotel
which included Danny
from Manchester Town Hall
Jordaan, who led South
instead of taking cars.
Africa’s successful 2010
“I had to think on my feet
bid, on their three-day tour
a bit and decide on a route,
of London, Manchester and
and then it was important
the North East.
to make sure they got there
Secure Solutions (UK)
safe and sound.”
also provided stewards for
Alasdair Abercrombietwo high-profile
receptions. In
London guests
included
Deputy Prime
Minister Nick
Clegg, Mayor of
London Boris
Johnson, Spurs
manager Harry
Redknapp and
his boss Daniel Michael Owen signs autographs
Levy. And in
Manchester a dinner for
Barnett, Project Co240 was held where
ordinator from G4S Major
Liverpool legend Kenny
Events, added: “Some of
Dalglish and Manchester
the biggest names in
United’s Michael Owen
English politics, sport and
were among the big names
business were at the
present.
events, and we’re delighted
Supervisor Dave Bellas
to have played a role in
escorted the FIFA
supporting the ‘Back the
delegation back to their
Bid’ campaign.
hotel after the latter, and
“Our guys showed great
told The Link of his pride at
professionalism
being part of the occasion.
throughout, and after the
He said: “If England gets
visit we received excellent
to host the World Cup, it
feedback.
will be one of the biggest
“We’ve done what we
events this country has
can for the bid, now we
ever held, and as a football
have to wait and see.”
GOT A STORY? GET IN TOUCH
EMAIL: THELINK@PRESSGANG.EU
CALL: 07891 703777
Copper cable
nicker nicked
Commended:
Danny in action
in Afghanistan
A thief has lost his job at a
Kent power station after
the G4S security team
caught him pilfering
valuable metal cable.
The man drove up to the
main gate at the Isle of
Grain recently in a van
carrying a drum of copper
cable, which he said was
required at the building site
next door.
Security Officer Ghal Rai
and Shift Manager Dean
Britton were suspicious
despite the man having the
right paperwork, but were
told to let him through.
However, their
suspicions were confirmed
when the thief drove the
wrong way instead of
heading next door.
Dean told The Link: “We
let the control centre know,
but later found the empty
truck at a nearby scrap
yard and knew from CCTV
recordings that he had
unloaded it there.”
The thief was thrown off
the site after his crime was
discovered, but
unfortunately the cable
could not be recovered.
Gurkha Services MD
John Whitwam said: “This
is just the sort of premium
service that we aim to
provide.”
the Link October 2010
October 2010
SMALL STEPS
BIG RESULTS
A look at some of the projects helping G4S be greener,
to support communities and be more successful
Big drive
to cut cost
of diesel
Thousands of vehicles used by
teams across G4S in the UK and
Ireland are set to help reduce the
nation’s carbon emissions.
The entire fleet of 3,000
vehicles for Cash Solutions,
Detention and Escorting and
Integrated Services has signed
up to a voluntary scheme that
collects data about fuel usage
and distances driven.
That information, gathered by
the Freight Transport
Association, helps to analyse
industry trends – which can be
used to identify ways to cut
carbon footprints.
Paul Smith, Fleet Engineer,
Detention and Escorting, said:
“We’ve just sent our first batch
of data for the past three months.
We collect it using Shell fuel
cards every time we buy diesel,
and we record the mileage for
each vehicle every day.”
It’s not the only way the team
is looking to reduce its carbon
footprint. A pilot electric van has
been trialled at Heathrow and
Gatwick airports, and different
kinds of fuels and hybrid
technology are being considered.
Paul said: “If a new contract is
signed, we’ll launch around 10
electric vehicles. They’re perfect
for use at airports, which
involves lots of very short, stopstart journeys, but you couldn’t
use them for long-haul trips.
“Reducing carbon emissions
is important for everyone and the
environment, but for us it also
sends a positive message out to
potential clients.”
John Lennox, of G4S Cash
Solutions, added: “We are
committed to reducing our
carbon footprint and being a
member of this scheme means
that we can really focus on this
important issue.”
Proof
positive:
Page
One is
scrutinised
PERFORMANCE
TEAMWORK AND
COLLABORATION
EXPERTISE
CUSTOMER FOCUS
CARE
BEST PEOPLE
INTEGRITY
VALUES
Page 8
Hero saves
residents
in fatal fire
Hot off the
press: The
paper’s
final check
Follow ‘your’
teams online
Believe it or not,
our paper is green
Athletes around the world
benefit from G4S’s sponsorship, and now it’s easier to
follow their progress.
Meanwhile, there are partnerships in
different countries between G4S offices
and the communities around them.
Richard Morgans, Director of ComLatest news, videos, pictures and munications, G4S plc, said: “With this
background stories are on a revamped new site and all the exciting interactive
website as well as Facebook, Twitter, content, we want to show how involved
G4S is in
YouTube
and
sport,
and
Flickr.
WHERE
TO
FIND
OUT
MORE
how and why
The G4S 4teen
www.g4ssports.com
we’re making
scheme sees 14
http://twitter.com/G4S_Sport
talented young www.facebook.com/pages/G4S-Sport/405209950151 a difference to
athletes being
people’s lives
www.youtube.com/user/G4Ssport
supported
in
around
the
www.flickr.com/photos/48491097@N04/
their mission to
world.
reach the top of their sports.
“We also hope to develop new
The business is also a leading sponsor business opportunities by showing
of Skandia Team GBR – the British customers and potential customers the
Olympic and Paralympic sailing team.
fantastic work we’re doing.”
We’re always talking about
the importance of being
environmentally friendly, but
we at The Link are also keen
to practise what we preach.
Every issue of The Link is
printed on paper from
sustainable resources, which
is also made from pulp that is
bleached without any use of
chlorine-based chemicals.
It’s produced by Precision
Colour Printing in Telford,
Shropshire, which has
environmental accreditation in
the form of ISO 14001:2004
and is committed to the
environment and prevention
of pollution.
Any misprinted pages that
occur during The Link’s print
run are recycled, as PCP aims
to minimise waste, reduce
energy consumption and
harmful emissions, and work
with environment-conscious
suppliers.
■ We’re also keen to find out
what you do with your copies
of The Link when you’re
finished with them – get in
touch to tell us about any
innovative or eco-friendly
uses.
The press that prints
The Link can run at
,000
20
copies per hour
Technology HQ leading the way
The state-of-the-art Technology
facility in Tewkesbury is leading
the way for the rest of G4S
when it comes to energy
efficiency and cutting carbon
emissions.
The team has announced that
it cut its total energy
consumption by eight per cent
last year – thanks to the
building’s maintenance and the
efforts of employees.
The site – which houses a hitech Innovation Centre,
manufacturing plant and offices
– was built to the highest
specifications in 2004.
The walls, ceilings and
glazing provided the best
available insulation at that time,
and both buildings were
pressure-tested to minimise
drafts. Motion sensors turn off
office and corridors lights when
unoccupied and all its light
fittings are highly energy
efficient.
Plant and equipment was also
chosen for its high-efficient
running, being managed by a
sophisticated building
management system.
Nick Ball, Group Quality
Manager, said: “Both buildings
were designed to run as
efficiently as possible, to reduce
ENERGY SAVING LEAGUE
Usage (kWh/day
Site Name
HMP Altcourse
HMP & YOI Parc
Sutton Park House
HMP Ryehill
HMP Wolds
STC Rainsbrook
IRC Dungavel
STC Medway
STC Oakhill
Savings Aug v Jan
Jan
July
Aug
kWh/day £/day
12,826
14,726
6,628
8,324
6,193
3,923
2,694
3,160
4,462
10,591
12,007
5,171
7,262
5,269
3,604
2,624
3,119
5,167
9,898
12,247
4,585
6.836
4,903
3,237
2,480
2,893
4,550
2,928
2,479
2,043
1,489
1,290
685
484
267
0
293
248
205
149
129
69
48
27
0
both carbon emissions and
costs. The Carbon Trust came to
assess us, and measured us
against other sites of the same
age and usage, and we’re still
better than the benchmark.”
He added: “But even with an
efficient well-maintained
building you still need to rely on
the people to play their crucial
part, by turning off equipment
that isn’t in use.”
ANYIDEAS
ANYFEEDBACK
If you have any ideas about how
we can reduce our consumption of
energy or supplies email
consumption@uk.g4s.com
If you would like to give us
feedback on G4S’s environmental
or charitable activities email
csr@uk.g4s.com
You can read our CSR policy, report or aspirations for 2010 at www.g4s.com/uk – look under ‘Social Responsibility’
A fatal fire could have claimed
even more lives if it wasn’t for
a G4S security officer raising
the alarm.
Karl Burger was patrolling
the Honeywell site in St Asaph,
North Wales, in the early hours
of the morning, when he
spotted flames coming from a
row of houses opposite.
He ran to investigate and,
after calling the fire brigade,
knocked on the front door to
wake the occupants.
Karl told The Link: “It was
2.30am and I was hammering
on the door. When the owner
came downstairs at first he
thought he was being robbed,
“Suddenly the windows of
the house next door blew out,
and it was clear that was
where the fire started, but the
smoke was so thick you
couldn’t see the flames.”
It took firemen several hours
to put out the blaze while Karl,
having woken up the other
residents, helped keep people
and cars away from the area.
It was later revealed that a
woman had died in the fire.
Karl said: “The firemen told me
that my actions had saved the
family next door, and I’m
pleased I was able to do that.
“But it is upsetting that
someone died, and I’m
reminded of that every time I
pass that house.”
Joint bid
wins Irish
contract
A joint operation across
the Irish Sea has seen
G4S secure a major contract with Fáilte Ireland,
Ireland’s tourism board.
A team of assessors in Ireland
will now be rating over 4,000
B&Bs and self-catering establishments, together with golf, spa,
equestrian and other accommodation providers. It’s a three-year deal
with an option for a further two.
The G4S Ireland team and
Assessment Services in the UK
believe they would not have won
the contract without each other.
Diarmuid O’Neill, Business
Development Director G4S Ireland, said: “This is a significant
and ongoing partnership with AS
in the UK, and shows how different parts of G4S can work together
and use their expertise to win new
business across the regions.
“Quite simply, we won this
contract because of both the G4S
experience in assessment services
and the G4S presence within
Ireland. It’s a success story of two
teams working together as one
company.”
Assessment Services Director of
Operations Gary Swarbrooke
added: “Our experience of delivering assessment services was vital
to us winning this contract, as was
the Irish team’s presence in Ireland.
“We’re looking forward to continuing working together to help
deliver an excellent service.”
The teams hope that the partnership will expand further to include
licensed premises by the end of
2010.
JOB SWAPPERS GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
The two Keiths:
Mahony, left,
and Mahoney
Race-track
breakfast
at 3.15am
It was a crack of dawn start for
Technology Managing Director
Stewart Angel when he went
back to the floor as a steward
at Silverstone recently.
Stewart, Installation Director
Chris Atkins and Service
Director Tom Hanaphy began
their day at the British Grand
Prix with a hearty breakfast at
3.15am.
Stewart said: “The G4S
campsite was run like a
military operation. Three team
leaders walked through the
camp with horns to get
everyone out of bed on time.”
Various team briefings for
the 1,240 G4S employees on
site followed at 4.30am, and
by 5am Stewart, pictured
below right, was appointed his
Fast action
rescues
stab victim
A teenage stab victim could
have died if it wasn’t for the
actions of a G4S frontline
employee, according to police.
Security Officer James
Gannon was on duty at
Morrisons in Cardonald,
Scotland, recently, when the
victim’s brother rushed into the
store looking for help.
James immediately raced to
the car park, and found the
youngster losing a lot of blood
from a gaping chest wound.
James told The Link: “I
asked the customer service
desk to phone the emergency
services, and followed the lad
to his car,” .
“His brother was slouched
over, holding his t-shirt to the
wound, and he was covered
with blood. I and the store
butcher, who had come out as
well, applied pressure to try to
stop the bleeding while we
waited for the ambulance.
“I was also speaking to his
brother, trying to calm him
down as he was visibly
distressed.”
Soon the police and an
ambulance arrived on the
scene, and the young man
was taken to hospital. Police
later paid James a visit and
told him that the victim made a
full recovery, but without his
help may have died.
the Link Page 9
DIFFERENT JOBS
BUT SAME NAMES
They’re always getting each other’s
emails, and now the ‘two Keiths’ of
Detention and Escorting have tried
their hands at one another’s jobs.
Keith Mahony, Quality and
Compliance Manager, and Keith
Mahoney, Detainee Custody Manager
at Heathrow Airport, spent a day in
each other’s shoes recently and both
found the experience rewarding.
Keith got the chance to take part in
a detainee escort, while Keith got
involved in dealing with complaints
and policy discussions. If you’re
confused, don’t worry, you’re not the
only one.
Keith Mahony revealed: “I
remember when I first started I went
to one site and saw Keith’s name in
the visitor book half an hour earlier,
and I thought someone was playing a
prank.
“I had a very good day at Cayley
House holding rooms as one of our
first line managers, and I was very
DCMs, and I found the job requires a
pleased with how well-run the
mix of dealing with the everyday
Heathrow team was.”
tasks, such as making sure detainees
Soon after, Keith Mahoney made
are being properly looked after, and
the journey to Spectrum House to
having to think on your feet.
shadow Keith, and said: “It was a bit
“While I was there, one detainee
of an eye opener.
was brought in to go on a
“Part of Keith’s role is
flight, and we were told
dealing with complaints,
that he had a recent
If you’re taking
so I helped with that
history of self-harm
part in a job
and he explained how
only when he
then tell The Linswap
k
ab
civil claim cases can
arrived, so Keith
it by calling edito out
r
affect the company
needed to make sure
Alan Ratcliffe on
financially,
which
all the necessary
07891 703777
was all new to me.
precautions were
emailing thelinkor
@
“I went to a couple
taken.”
pressgang.eu
of meetings, one of which
He added: “I also went
was discussing a new piece
to the Terminal 3 holding
of policy which will affect our
room to talk to employees, and
employees across the country, so it
while I was there a very senior
was very interesting to be involved
member of UKBA arrived and
with that. Overall, it was a useful
thanked us for our good work.
couple of days. More people should
“My day really showed me the
experience other roles.”
value of Keith’s role, as one of our
position. Working as one of a
team of three, he had to
provide security for the
grandstand on the pit straight,
with eight different entrances
and a capacity of 8,500
spectators.
Race fans began to arrive at
6.30am. Taking guidance from
his team-mates, Stewart took
turns to perform one of the
day’s three tasks – entry
control and ticket checking,
directing spectators to their
seats and crowd control.
By 4.30pm, the team began
clearing the grandstand, by
which time Stewart said he
couldn’t remember ever
spending so long on his feet.
He said: “After this
experience I appreciate what
the stewards do, especially the
fact they all remained
professional and approachable
throughout such a long and
tiring day.”
Page 10
the Link October 2010
October 2010
the Link Page 11
FROM CRUISE PASSENGERS IN SOUTHAMPTON TO DIPLOMATS IN AFGHANISTAN, G4S PEOPLE ARE WORKING TO KEEP THEM SAFE
Securing Your World
Patrick Ruddy,
Jury Minding
Officer, Dublin
Criminal Courts of
Justice
I’m part of a team of
11 officers at the
courts in Dublin, and
we’re securing the world by protecting
juries and making them feel safe for the
duration of their trial.
There are 16 jury courts here, and
one of us is involved for any trial requiring a jury.
There is a special jury room, dining
room and restricted areas for them to
get to and from the courtroom, and all
these areas are fully access controlled.
Only the jury and our officers are
allowed in these areas, and they are kept
apart from members of the public or
anyone else involved in the trial.
Matthew Osai,
Response Unit,
Olympic Park
The Olympic Park construction project is
massively important to
the country, and we
play a key part in
securing the site.
The Response Unit patrols the
perimeter of the site and checks all
entry points and vulnerable areas,
including the canals.
We also assist the officers at the entry
plazas and ensure that everyone stays
vigilant at all times.
By protecting one of the most important sites in the UK from intruders and
any other kind of security risk, we’re
doing our bit to secure the world.
Sharon Holmes,
Quality and
Compliance
Advisor, Detention
and Escorting
The role of Detention
& Escorting is to primarily support the UK
In the August issue of The Link, G4S directors told us what the company strapline
‘Securing Your World’ means to them. In this issue, frontline employees put into
their own words how they think they help to secure the world
Borders Agency in detaining and
removing people from the UK who
enter the country illegally.
My job is to make sure this is done
in a compassionate and dignified way
while maintaining compliance to our
contract.
I travel to about 25 sites in the North
region, anywhere between Luton and
Glasgow and across to Belfast, visiting
each site at least once a year.
I make sure that the detainees are
being looked after, standards at all sites
are maintained and that we are complying fully with our contract with
UKBA.
Karen Cooper,
Events Steward,
Leeds
I help provide the
security for events at
Headingley, where I
help secure our world
by ensuring the safety
of customers at rugby and cricket
matches.
I’m quite often deployed to secure
the children’s area, which is behind one
of the goals, and one of my duties is to
make sure the youngsters stand back –
as if there’s a try, players could collide
with the barrier there.
Being young they can sometimes
be a bit cheeky to someone in uniform, so it’s important to remain calm
while remaining in control of the situation and maintaining authority at all
times.
Adam Morgan,
Close Protection Officer,
British Embassy Kabul
I am an armed Close Protection Operator working as a member of a six-man
team based in Kabul, Afghanistan. I
provide close protection services for
British Diplomats working, living and
visiting Afghanistan.
The United Kingdom is supporting
Afghanistan as part of the reconstruction effort to help the country get back
on its feet as a result of its recent
and continued troubles with the
Taliban.
G4S Secure Solutions (Afghanistan)
is helping to secure this part of the
world by providing security solutions
to those organisations in Afghanistan
that require them.
By working with our international
partners from a number of different
agencies we are helping to reconstruct
and stabilise this country for the
future.
Janice Horner,
Cleaning
Supervisor,
QEII Hospital,
Welwyn Garden
City
Our role is to help
secure the world by
making the patient’s stay in hospital
safer.
We do that by reducing the risk of
infection through high standards of
cleaning.
All areas of the hospital must be
kept clean, in particular the ‘high-risk’
and ‘very high-risk’ areas such as the
special care baby unit, intensive care
and the high-dependency unit.
The cleaning team is always on the
look-out for dust, as that carries the
bacteria that could cause infections.
I think our team here is very good,
and that’s reflected in the Trust audit
scores we receive.
John Foulstone,
Security Officer,
Leeds
As site security, our
mission is to keep all
the people here safe
and secure.
We have a very good
team that provides 24-hour security, and
our main concerns are preventing thefts,
being alert in case of fire and networking with our customers and clients.
Day-to-day we ensure that we stay
observant at all times, and also act as a
deterrent to potential thieves. I’ve been
here since last December, and we get on
very well with the client. It can be a bit
of a whirlwind at times but we do a
good job and they’re pleased with us.
By securing this site, we’re playing a
part in helping G4S secure our world.
Tim Madge,
Meter Reader
Many of our domestic
customers are vulnerable, especially the elderly and less able and
can be wary of callers
on their doorstep –
G4S branding and ID helps reassure
them
I was once at a house and the lady
came to the door then collapsed in the
hallway – I put her in recovery position
and sent her young daughter to a neighbour’s house for help. Luckily a nurse
lived close by and the lady recovered.
All metering representatives are
trained to identify gas escapes and dangerous electrical installations – and how
to report them to get a rapid response to
what potentially could be very dangerous situations. This is how we’re helping
to secure the world.
Gerard
Fitzgerald,
Incident Response
team, Manchester
Parks
I help to secure the
world by providing a
safe and friendly environment within Manchester's parks and
open spaces.
My position as a supervisor and dog
handler in the Incident Response Parks
Patrol Service brings me into contact
with people from all walks of life. I treat
everyone as an equal, being fair when I
need to be, and firm when I have to be
– such as times when dealing with those
committing offences.
I take a great deal of pride in my job,
and my duties in helping G4S to secure
the world and make it a better place for
everybody.
Allan Marshman,
Principal Three
Systems Engineer,
Technology
My
responsibility
within Technology is to
ensure our building
security installations
are delivered to the highest quality standards to the complete satisfaction of our
clients in the most professional and efficient manner.
I am securing the world by providing
integrated security management installations encompassing access control,
CCTV, alarms monitoring and perimeter intruder protection systems to both
the public and private sector. One of the
key objectives of the projects I implement is to prevent unauthorised access
to high security Government sites, commercial premises and public buildings.
Jason John
WhitehouseStrudwick,
Court
Enforcement
Officer, Electronic
Monitoring (who
was moved to put
his thoughts into verse!)
S
E
C
U
R
E
T
H
E
W
O
R
L
D
pend my working day
presenting breach cases
lectronic Monitoring
breaches in all different
places.
all the relevant witnesses if
ever a trial
nderstanding defendants’
needs, affording them a
smile.
inging solicitors to iron out
the breach
very day different and often
do teach
ime passes by
ever so fast
indsight? No time it’s all
been a blast
lectronic Monitoring “the
ones with the tags”
earing the anklets with
no matching bags
rders-a-plenty, curfews
a must
emember G4S the brand
people trust.
eave at the end of the day,
my work is complete
escribing my role is
no easy feat.
We help people
enjoy their hols
Linda Hine,
Security Officer, Southampton Docks
My team carries out the security measures
for cruise liners that come into
Southampton, and that’s how we help to
secure your world.
Part of our role is making people aware of
what they can and can’t take aboard. Often
these are everyday items intended for
innocent use – for instance some people
pack fruit knives to cut their fruit during the
cruise, and little boys sometimes take toy
pistols. It’s a shame, but such items are a
security risk.
All baggage is x-rayed and we’re trained
to spot restricted items. If we see
something, we’ll take the passenger to one
side and look to see what it is. The crew and
many passengers tell us that they know
we’re conducting these checks for their
safety and so they can enjoy their cruise
knowing their ship is secure. This is my third
season here, and I love it.
Page 12
the Link October 2010
October 2010
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What did you do
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Kids around th
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editor Alan Ra
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how G4S teams ds out
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Technology at rvices and
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A CLASS ACT
Mike Wallace and Eric Embling
School Service Technicians
What have you been doing this
summer?
Mike: The school holiday is our chance to
do larger maintenance jobs that you just
can’t do during term-time. For instance,
this summer we’re painting two corridors,
which need two or three days to dry
properly.
Eric: We’re also putting in a new water
heater and making repairs to the toilet
blocks, which mean shutting off the water
supply to different parts of the school.
Mike: Then there’s the yearly checks –
every pipe has to be flushed and all the
lights have to be tested. Part of our role is
also to sign contractors in and out –
people who come in to work on the gas,
electric, fire alarms and water supply.
Serious incidents can be like
buses – nothing for a long
time, then three turn up at
once.
That was the case at the Scotch Hall
shopping centre in Drogheda, Ireland,
recently, where the security team dealt with
a fire, theft and a choking baby in the space
of a few days.
Security Officer Charlie Fitzpatrick was
on duty at the centre entrance, when he
heard a woman scream and saw a man running towards the door carrying a handbag.
Charlie said: “He didn’t see me at first, but
when I moved to block his exit, he turned and
How are
we doing?
Eric: Another job we’re doing this
summer is refurbishing all the benches –
repairing, staining and repainting them so
they’re as good as new when the kids
come back.
The G4S team at NAP in
Cheltenham is using a new
method to improve customer
service and business
performance.
The Business Excellence
model was brought in by the
325-strong team to build on best
practice, identify improvement
opportunities and thereby
improve service delivery.
Employees at all levels
between management and team
leaders have taken part in
seminars to learn more about the
self-assessment based system.
Grace Shacklady, Business
Excellence Manager, said: “It’s a
way of judging how we’re
performing in a number of
areas, for example leadership,
people skills, strategy and
business results, and identifying
ways we can improve.
“It’s aspirational rather than
just conforming to a set of
standards.
“One way we’re helping to
reduce costs while helping the
environment is through
recycling – and we’re already
beating Government targets10
years early.”
How long have you been here?
Mike: I’ve been here for 10 years, since it
opened. I’m pretty much part of the
furniture! As they’re 10 years old, a lot of
the fixtures and fittings are coming to the
end of their natural lives – we’re gradually
replacing all the doors, for instance.
Eric: I started in January, and I enjoy it
here. We have around 1,800 secondary
and sixth form students and get on well
with them and the teachers. The client is
more than happy with G4S.
Kirsty Finch, Project Lead
Mandip Dhinjan, IT Support and Training Officer
What is it you’re doing at the school?
Kirsty: We’re here as part of the Integrated
Services project to
ensure that the infrastructure is in place for
the new GiroVend
system – that all the network points and cables
are there. The
project has been ongoing for more than three
months, but we’re
aiming for the cashless system to be good
to go in October.
Mandip: As well as working with Kirsty on
this project, I’ve been
working at the school for just over a year now,
maintaining all the
G4S kit and IT systems on site. The G4S system
is separate to
the school’s, and I maintain it and deal with
any issues to do with
the network or connectivity.
Diploma
double
Alan Fern
GiroVend Project Manager, Technology
Tell us about what you’re doing
cashless payment system in
We’re installing a new GiroVend
five new tills and a cash
the school. It involves setting up
the machine people use
loader in one of the corridors – that’s
card.
to add funds to their GiroVend smart
d with funds, then used to
These are cards that can be loade
lunch, vending items and even
make on-site purchases such as
photocopying.
manufacturing facility in
We build all the equipment at our
on the North Wiltshire contract
Tewkesbury for all three schools
Malmesbury. A catering
– Wootton Basset, Abbeyfields and
to Tewkesbury to run
manager from each school was invited
sure they’re configured to
through the till layouts and make
has different needs.
meet their requirements, as each
to all three schools and I’m
The hardware was then delivered
up and installing the software
currently in the middle of setting
onto the school system.
When problems
come in threes
G4S
Two employees at HMP & YOI
Parc are celebrating after
graduating from a challenging
78-week NVQ course.
Mark Jenkins and Andy
Vaughn, both operational
managers at the Bridgend
prison, received their diplomas
after completing the NVQ
Level 4 in Management.
The course, run in
partnership with Neath Port
Talbot College, covers a broad
range of topics.
Mark and Andy were the first
to take up the challenge of the
course, and several more Parc
officers are also now working
towards the qualification.
Mark said: “It’s been
challenging, but I’ve really
enjoyed it.
Andy added: “It’s a great day,
and I’m really pleased my
family is here to support me.”
ran the other way. I radioed the other officers, and when we caught up with him I
brought him down with a rugby tackle. It was
just instinct, really.”
Charlie and his fellow officers guarded
the thief until the police arrived, when the
victim’s handbag was returned.
The following day, Security Officer
Gerry Justice was on duty in the early hours
of the morning when there was a fire alert
for one of the centre’s electrical cupboards.
Gerry called in Security Manager Mark
Farrell, and the pair investigated to find
smoke billowing out.
Mark said: “We opened the door to see if
it was something we could contain ourselves, and there was sparks and fuses
exploding, so we called the fire brigade.”
It took firemen several hours to put out
the blaze, which was apparently caused by a
power surge.
An eventful period at the centre was complete when Security Officer Ephraim Gill
rushed to assist a young mum, whose weekold baby appeared to be choking.
Ephraim, a trained first-aider, said: “The
baby was blue, so I checked her diaphragm
to check her breathing, and discovered that
her bib was actually what was choking her.
“After we loosened it, she was fine.”
METER READERS TO THE RESCUE
FIRST-AID
TR AINING
PAYS OFF
G4S
worldwide
Beating the bullets
A prototype bullet-proof
cash vehicle is being trialled
by G4S in Kenya, with the
aim of greatly reducing the
risk of robberies.
The van incorporates the
best elements of the Cashin-Transit vehicles used by
G4S in 70 countries around
the world, and includes realtime tracking and other
security features.
Adam Miller, Regional MD
for East Africa, described
the prototype as “the future
of the industry,” adding:
“While we cannot eliminate
entirely the chances of
robbery and attacks, we can
extensively reduce the
opportunity for loss with this
vehicle.”
Lesson in citizenship
Pupils in disadvantaged
schools across South Africa
are benefiting from a G4S-run
scheme that sees prisoners
repair dilapidated school
desks.
Over 1,000 desks have
been supplied to 10 schools
by G4S since the launch of
the scheme, the brainchild of Frikkie Venter, MD of Care and
Justice Services in SA.
A chance conversation with his son about a hole in his
desk set Frikkie thinking about the role Manguang
Correctional Centre, which houses 3,000 prisoners, some of
whom are trained in woodwork, could play in repairing
desks for disadvantaged schools.
An elderly man who
collapsed on the street was
given first aid by a G4S
meter reader.
Paul Rawlinson was
walking to an appointment
with a customer in Buxton
when the man, in his
seventies, tripped and fell to
the pavement.
Paul said: “I was about 30
yards away when I saw the
man, who was using a stick
and a bit unsteady on his
feet, stumble.
“I ran to help. He was a
bit dazed and his nose was
bleeding.”
Being first aid trained,
Paul asked a postman for his
jacket to put under the man’s
head, and kept him talking
while they waited for an
ambulance to arrive.
Paul said: “It was
important to make sure he
stayed conscious.
“When paramedics
arrived, he wanted to be on
his way, but they took him to
hospital for treatment and
hopefully he’s doing ok.”
Case of terminal care
Home help? Coming up!
As any G4S meter reader
will tell you, watching out
for the welfare of vulnerable
customers is part of the job.
And in recent weeks, few
of them have taken that more
to heart than Newcastlebased Mark Winter.
At one appointment at the
home of a 90-year-old
woman, Mark found the
front door ajar when he
arrived. So he investigated.
Mark told The Link: “I
knocked on the window and
the customer was sitting
inside, and waved at me to
the Link Page 13
come in. But I thought she
believed I was a carer, so I
shouted into the hallway to
let her know I was there to
read her meter.
“She was very frail and
took about seven or eight
minutes to reach the door,
and she asked me to turn her
heater on as she was cold.
“I tried to turn it on, but it
wasn’t working, so she asked
if I could call her home help,
who wasn’t due to come for
another seven hours.”
Mark was able to call the
home help service and stay
with the customer for 40
minutes until they arrived.
Shortly afterwards, at
another appointment, an
elderly man in South Shields
asked for help getting credit
from his electricity card onto
his meter.
Mark said: “It’s a part of
the job and I’m always
happy to help.
“But I had to call my boss
to explain what I was doing
as I was worried when he
came to look at my records
he’d think I was just taking
extra long breaks!”
A remand home for young
offenders in Nairobi was
boosted by the donation of a
computer from the local G4S
team recently.
Many of the young people
at the Kabete home on the
outskirts of the Kenyan city
are victims of neglect, having
been orphaned and left to
survive on the streets.
On release, many have
nowhere to go and end up
reoffending, so this year G4S
is launching a new
partnership with the home, to
help with rehabilitation and
try to break the cycle of
poverty and crime.
The partnership will see
G4S help to provide food,
learning tools and other
support materials for the
children through its Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR)
programme.
Page 14
the Link October 2010
Employee
discounts
benefits
Hyundai cars*
Discounts available on
new cars. Call 0800 981 981 to
find out how to contact your
local dealer. Quote: G4S
Hyundai Affinity Scheme
* Mainland UK and NI only
Shoosmiths
Solicitors
10% discount on wills and tax
planning or on legal fees for
moving home
Call: 08700 862 788
Quote: G4S
Retiring soon?
G4S Old Comrades
Association (G4SOCA)
Membership programme for
long-serving retirees of G4S.
G4SOCA holds social events
to keep in touch.
Email: Jeff Cope: j-cope2@sky.com
HP home office
products*
Up to 25% off computers,
printers, etc
Visit: www.hp.com/uk/hpepp
Company code: epp@g4s
* Mainland UK and NI only
Dell consumer
products
Up to 10% off Dell computer
products
Call: 0870 907 5683
Quote: G4S
Hospital
Saturday Fund
A cash plan to help you budget
for unexpected health costs.
Details: www.hsf.eu.com
Call: 0800 917 2208
Quote: The Link
October 2010
Coffee brand
breaking
new ground
Starbucks
and
Costa
could be looking over
their shoulders after a
new coffee shop brand
was launched.
The first-ever G4S Café Quattro
has opened at Warwick Hospital, providing customers with a range of hot
and cold beverages akin to what
they’d find on the High Street.
In addition, the café sells freshly
made and cooked panini, ciabattas,
sandwiches, salads, snacks, soft
drinks, gifts for hospital visitors,
newspapers, magazines and toiletries,
and provides a cash-back facility.
Anastasia Whitehouse, Catering
Retail Manager, said: “This is a first
for G4S and it’s been received very
Jessica Petersson, HR
Equality and Inclusion
Manager, said: “Stephen has
shown an excellent level of
commitment and a real desire to
progress.
“He’s been an ambassador by
helping us promote employment
opportunities to local people,
and we’re delighted he’s been
recognised with this award.”
John Whitwam, Managing
Director of the Olympic
Delivery Authority contract,
added: “I’m proud to have such
a reliable, smart and
conscientious officer on this
prestigious account.
“He has immediately become
a key part of a high-performing
team, and is an example to his
peers.”
It represents
another string
to our bow
well by both hospital employees and
the public.”
Terry Tredget, Head of Catering for
Integrated Services, described the
new brand as “another string to our
bow”, adding: “As well as being a
coffee bar to rival the big names it’s a
retail shop as well, so offers a whole
other range of services.
“We believe that through Café
Quattro we can deliver competitive
margins to benefit our customers, and
it’s something that will now form part
of our Total FM offering to our
commercial and public sector
clients.”
Creative
work in
custody
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Fitness
First class free and then
reduced corporate rates
available.
Visit: www.britmilfit.com
Call: 0870 241 2517
Quote: G4S
Payroll giving
Support your favourite causes
by donating money tax-free
directly from your pay. Visit:
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Call: 01271 326131
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Hotels Group
Two nights for the price of one
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Quote: 2 for 1
Booking time to remember
Seventy-five years’ worth of
G4S memories will be published in a commemorative
book to mark the company’s
diamond anniversary.
The stories have been contributed by colleagues from
across G4S, among them
Office Assistant Bob Now-
land, pictured below, who
recalled the days when he
started work in 1964.
He was a mechanic for
Locomotors, which built the
first cash vans for Securicor.
He said: “Back then, the
vans were normal Morris vans
straight off the production
line and we adapted them to
transport money securely.
“We put in things like better locks, alarms, flashing
lights, a locking brake in the
rear and armoured plating, all
to help to secure the vehicle,
none of which were ‘hi-tech,’
but at least were unusual, if
not amusing.
“In the Sixties there was a
problem with crooks towing
cash vans into the back of
big lorries and, to stop
this, the Securicor
vans were also fitted
with scaffolding
poles which would
slide out the sides
After being unemployed for five
years, a security officer is
“chuffed to bits” after not only
landing a job with G4S, but
winning a national award to
boot.
Stephen Yoxall has been
named as the JobCentre Plus
New Recruit of the Year after
fulfilling his role on the
Olympic Park construction site
with distinction.
Stephen told The Link: “I’m
chuffed, and it’s something I
wasn’t expecting.
“I love working on this
contract and I’m grateful to G4S
for what it has done for me.
“It’s given me the chance to
be a part of a truly historic
project, and the people have
looked after me.
“I’m interviewing for a
supervisor role soon, and I really
want to achieve something
within G4S.”
DESIRE TO PROGRESS
O2
Discounted mobile offer
available from O2, please
contact your line manager or
your HR department for
details.
So chuffed
I’m back
to work
so the vans couldn’t be
dragged in.
“We also equipped Securicor vans for the contract they
started in South Africa, I
believe their first overseas
contract.
“The vans had extra cooling devices, again not very hitech – they were just painted
white and a sun shield was fitted on the roof.
“I went on to join the police
for 25 years and since 2002
have worked for G4S, but I
always recall working on
those new Securicor vans.”
● Watch out for details
about the book in the
December issue of The Link.
Artistic prisoners, young
offenders and detainees at
G4S establishments have won
recognition for their efforts at
this year’s Koestler Awards.
The annual competition
received around 5,000 entries
of creative work – including
painting, photography, music
and writing – from custodial
institutions across the UK.
This year G4S-run prisons
Parc, Altcourse, Rye Hill and
Wolds, secure training centres
Oakhill and Rainsbrook and
immigration removal centres
Dungavel, Oakington and
Brook House scooped 142
awards, including seven
platinums.
Sara Webber, Marketing
and Communications Manager
at Parc – the biggest G4S
winner with 56 awards – said:
“This is an outstanding result
and our best-ever
performance.
“All Parc’s winning entries
will be put forward for the
‘Parc Life’ exhibition, at the
Wales Millennium Centre, in
November.”
The best entries will also go
on display at the Koestler
exhibition at London’s
Southbank Centre.
Care & Justice Services survey under way
The Care & Justice Services
Employee Survey is now under
way.
“It is a real opportunity for
employees to have a direct
influence on the way the
business works,” says Shirley
McGregor, HR Director.
“I was delighted last year
that 79 per cent of you had
your say and I ask you all to
have your say in 2010. We have
made many changes over the
last year and value your views”
Focus groups have been
established to examine the
survey results and improve the
way Care & Justice Services
operates. Some of the
changes made over the
last year include:
Offender Management –
introduction of a learning &
development programme to
improve skills in the workplace
and provide a route
into higher grade roles
Detention and
Escorting – more
employee forums and
regular recognition for
jobs well done, with
more than 400
commendation letters
so far this year
Immigration – improved
communication, including
regular forums, briefings and
manager feedback. At
Dungavel communication
folders have been introduced
and a director's bulletin
published
Police Support Services –
introduction of a programme
to broaden the skills
and knowledge of
employees, and
improved
communications
including 1-2-1
meetings, launch of
In-Custody magazine
and team briefings
Court Services/IPT
– a central information drive to
give employees access to
policies and procedures,
introduction of satellite
navigation systems at all
vehicle bases for easier
access to locations, and new
uniform trousers and ladies
shirts
Rebound Children's
Services – specific action
plans for each site that are
reviewed monthly at
management meetings and
additional listening and
feedback groups where teams
had flagged particular issues,
such as facilities and night
workers.
Champions have been
nominated to support and
drive the survey – to find yours
contact Sarah Exeter, HR
Development Officer on 07786
313642.
Secure Solutions (UK)
survey simplified
OBITUARIES
A man of energy
and enthusiasm
Friends and colleagues of
Electronic Monitoring’s Alan
Mercer are in mourning after
his sudden death aged 34.
Manchester-based Alan, an
Enforcement First Line
Manager, had worked for G4S
for 12 years and was a highlyrespected member of the team.
He was a regular
attender at courts
across the North West
of England, helping to
prosecute those who
had broken curfew
conditions, and was
most recently leading
his team in meeting
Government and other
targets.
Upon the news of his death,
tributes flooded in.
Louise Santer, Liverpool
Court Enforcement Officer,
said: “It was a shock to hear
the news. It is such a great loss
to his partner, family, friends
and colleagues.
“Alan was a man of
boundless energy, enthusiasm,
fun and laughter. He has left a
huge gap and will be sorely
missed.”
Anthony Smith, Manchester
Area Training Officer, said:
“Alan was a caring man,
looking after his colleagues,
especially those who have
never given evidence
in court. He would
reassure the nervous
ones, by giving them
advice and telling
them what to expect.”
Claire Sims,
Communications
Director, added:
“Alan was well loved
for his flamboyant nature, his
great sense of fun, his passion
for his job and his care for
people.
“His professionalism
earned him respect and regard
at every level and tributes have
been received from numerous
agencies with whom he
worked.”
Humble man who
shunned praise
Tributes have poured in for
Sheero Akram Mansoor, a
respected G4S Senior Team
Leader in Iraq, who was killed
in a road accident.
Sheero, who worked on the
Quick Reaction Force (QRF)
at Baghdad International
Airport, was killed as he made
his way back to the
capital after helping
friends look at a house
in Sulaimaniya.
Well-known in the
security industry,
when news of
Sheero’s death was
posted online tributes
and messages of
condolence flooded in from as
far away as Britain, Australia,
New Zealand, Nepal and
America.
William Arbuthnot, the
airport’s QRF manager, said:
“That shows how well-loved
and respected Sheero was.
“He never looked for praise
as he was a humble man, but
he understood that he had an
important job to do and he just
got on with it.
“Sheero was a good man, a
friend, a brother, a husband
and a true professional. It was
a pleasure to have known him.
He will be missed.”
Having joined the team in
2004, Sheero was one
of the longest-serving
security employees at
the airport. During
this time, he provided
close protection to
many high-profile
people, including
Saddam Hussein’s
lawyer, as well as
Prime Ministers and Presidents
of Iraq such as Al Jaafari, Al
Maliki and Al Talabani.
He was even called upon to
protect the Iraq national
football side after they had
won the Africa Cup, with
which he had his picture taken.
Sheero leaves behind a wife
and a loving family.
the Link Page 15
Minister Roseanna
Cunningham with some of
those who have helped
create the allotments
Growing
together
Employees of Secure
Solutions (UK) are the
latest to receive
engagement surveys and
are being urged to have
their say and help
improve the business.
The results are always
taken seriously and get
turned into action plans
to address the issues
raised.
On the back of the last
two surveys, Secure
Solutions (UK) has
launched: a new
Learning and Development programme, Site
Link to help frontline managers
run their sites and Employee of
the Month.
The survey itself has become
shorter so it can be completed
more quickly and the rating
scale has been simplified.
Survey champions will be
on-hand to help and there are
more ways than ever to
complete the form – by post,
online or at your site.
The questionnaire is the
opportunity for employees to
give their honest opinions and
everyone is urged to have their
say.
■ Integrated Services has
already issued its employee
survey, and other UK and
Ireland businesses will follow
suit later this year and early
next.
Top marks
for health
classes
Health education for youngsters
at Oakhill STC has been given
the Government’s official seal of
approval.
The Milton Keynes-based
team has just been awarded
National Healthy School Status –
becoming the first secure
training centre in the country to
receive it.
The award recognises work in
the areas of personal, social and
health education, healthy eating,
physical activity and emotional
health and wellbeing.
Project unites island
A community in one of the farthest-flung corners of Britain
has been transformed by a
green project run by a G4S
officer.
Jay Jay Henry, a Relief Offi- Jay Jay
cer, and her partner Kevin Ward,
a former manager with the company, have been the driving
force behind the construction of
new allotments in the windswept Shetland Islands.
The project has brought the
local community, including
schools, together and was
awarded a £54,000 grant from
the Climate Challenge Fund to
help get it off the ground.
Much of the work is now
finished, with the rest, including special underwater rain
storage pipes, due to be completed early next year.
“We built these allotments
completely from scratch, which makes them
the first of their kind in the UK – community
built, run and maintained,” said Jay Jay.
“It’s an exposed area, but the view is fantastic! Crops like potatoes, leeks and turnips are
also flourishing here as the soil is very peaty.”
The project has attracted high-profile interest. The Scottish Environment Minister, Roseanna
Cunningham, has visited,
while the Scottish Liberal
Democrat Leader will be
there in October.
An author producing a
book about growing food in
the UK’s wildest locations is
also set to drop by.
“The Scottish Government
is encouraging people to grow
their own, and the Minister
was enthralled with what
we’ve achieved,” said Jay Jay.
“It has been a challenge at
times, but after Kevin took
over as chairman in February
it really took off – as he has
experience of the construction industry and
knew what had to be done.”
Val Thomas, Head of
Education, said: “Our young
people have said they feel they
are given the life-skills that
enable them to make positive
health choices, which makes us
feel proud.”
The achievement was also
hailed by Graham Robb of the
Youth Justice Board, who visited
Oakhill and said: “As a former
headteacher, I know that this
award is not only a recognition of
the contribution the centre makes
to healthy living for young
people and staff – but is also a
clear indicator of a culture of
working together to achieve the
highest standards.”
The National Healthy Schools
Programme is a joint initiative
between the Department for
Children, Schools and Families
and the Department of Health.
Page 16
the Link October 2010
October 2010
TIME OUT
The perfect holiday for
most people probably
involves sun, sand, good
food and plenty of
relaxation.
But for one G4S man it
involved scaling vertical
rockfaces, altitude
sickness and abseiling
down a glacier at 15,000ft
above sea level.
Richard Haines has
just returned from
climbing to the summit of
Mont Blanc, the highest
mountain in Western
Europe, while touring the
continent with friends on
holiday.
“We travelled all over,
including France,
Belgium, Italy, Germany,
Holland and Luxembourg,
and climbing Mont Blanc
was something I was
really keen to do,” said
Richard, Contract
Services Co-ordinator for
Assessment Services.
Taking a look at life away from work: contact The Link on 07891 703777
Fun in the sun as sports
day breaks charity record
Sun, sea,
altitude
sickness
Above: UK MD Stewart Angell gets
the wet sponge treatment. Right:
meet Webb’s Wild Bunch!
A fun day in the sun for hundreds of
Technology employees also turned out
to be a big boost for charity.
Over 200 employees from the
Tewkesbury-based team held a
fundraising sports day where they took
part in events including relay, tug of
war, egg and spoon, sack and threelegged races.
Prizes were awarded for individual
events as well as team diversity, as captains were encouraged to recruit team
members from across the division.
Stalls, quizzes and a raffle also
helped raise a grand total of £2,650.50
for Gloucestershire Young Carers –
Technology’s charity of the year.
Individual winners included Tony
Haywood (skittles), Atmane Bensghir
(beat the goalie), Nigel Paton (washing
line game) and Luke Briner (welly
wang).
Meanwhile, Managing Director
Stewart Angell, Technical Director
Howard Johnson and Business Systems
Manager Paul Edwards all volunteered
to be put in stocks.
“The sports day was a major event
Iraq pair aim
for Everest
Two G4S convoy escort operators are fulfilling a long-held
ambition by trekking to Everest
Base Camp in Nepal to raise
money for Help for Heroes.
“I organised a guide
through an experienced
mountaineering company,
and got all my own
equipment – crampons,
ice hacks, helmet, warm
gear – everything you
need for an expedition
like this.
“We started from
Chamonix and the
following day reached the
summit just before dawn.
It was incredible.”
The journey was not
without its difficulties,
however.
“It was very hard as I
suffered with headaches
and altitude-related
problems, and as we
reached the summit all
my water froze!” recalled
Richard.
“There were also
points where we had to
climb up vertical rock
faces, and coming down
we had to descend an ice
wall and do a bit of
abseiling. I’ve done
climbing before for fun,
but nothing like this – I
really enjoyed it.”
In fact, Richard
enjoyed it so much, he’s
already planning his next
big task – climbing the
Matterhorn. “It’s not as
high, but the climb is
technically extremely
challenging,” he added.
Iraq-based Carl Salt and Steve Bratton flew
into Kathmandu for the start of their threeweek trek on 20 September, and spoke to The
Link before setting off.
“The trip to Everest Base
Camp is something we’ve wanted
to do for a while,” said Carl.
“The opportunity to visit the
Himalayas and find out about the
people who live there will be a
rewarding experience in itself.
“To combine that with raising
money for a charity close to our
hearts will make the trip even
more worthwhile.”
The pair will be trekking
through mountain villages in the
Khumbu valley, before climbing
Kala Patter at 5,500m above sea
level and visiting the Everest Base Camp.
With the opportunities for hill-walking limited in Iraq due to the flat terrain, Carl and
Steve’s preparation has been restricted to the
gym and the demands of their day-to-day jobs.
Both Team Leaders for Iraq’s convoy escort
teams, they have helped deliver life support,
ammunition, vehicles and other essentials to
Inspired:
Kevin in
action
the Link Page 17
the US military and the emerging Iraqi Government.
“Our current roles mean we have a great
deal of experience in dealing with challenging
and demanding situations, but you can’t predict how much you will be affected by altitude
sickness,” said Steve.
Having both served in the Armed Forces
including operational tours to Northern Ire-
land, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq, Carl and Steve
are looking forward to raising as much as they
can for Help for Heroes.
“We’ve both retained strong links to the military, and the trip gives us an opportunity to
give something back,” Carl added.
■ You can support Carl and Steve by visiting
www.justgiving.com/carlandsteveEBCH4H
for us, as it gathered the whole of Technology together for a day of fun, and we
raised the single highest amount for
charity in our history,” said Nick Ball,
Group Quality Manager.
Heroic effort but
Three Peaks team
blown off course
Severe weather may have
scuppered their bid to climb all
three of the country’s highest
peaks, but a G4S team still raised
£1,500 for charity.
The team of four from Integrated
Services – Neil Garner, Richard
Lewis, Steve Riley and Matt Leach –
took on the Three Peaks Challenge
in aid of Help for Heroes, but
weren’t counting on this summer’s
terrible weather.
“We started at Ben Nevis and the
conditions were ideal – cloudy and
cold,” said Neil, IT Manager. “We
made good progress and beat our
target time of 5hrs 30mins for the
ascent by an hour.
“Our support team was great
and we got to the foot of Scafell
Pike earlier than expected, but as
we started off the wind and rain
were already starting.
“The path up the peak became
very slippery, and soon the wind
was gusting to the point that we
had to stop to brace ourselves
before being able to continue.
“When we got to an exposed
section of path below the summit,
the wind was strong enough to
blow us over. I decided it was
unsafe to continue, and reluctantly
we descended the mountain.”
The team, which also included
employees from partner businesses
at the NAP project in Cheltenham,
experienced further problems when
leaving the Lake District, due to the
wet, mountainous roads.
“The water streaming down the
roads made traction very difficult
and the brake pad warning light
came on,” Neil explained. “We
called out the RAC hoping for
confirmation we could continue, but
were told the vehicle was unsafe.
“For us, that meant we could no
longer proceed to Snowdon, which
was disappointing. However, we’re
delighted that we were able to raise
so much for Help for Heroes.”
Couch potato gets inspired
Dedication, as Roy Castle used to
say, is all you need – and one G4S
man has shown his after an incredible
12 months.
Technology’s Kevin Anderson has
gone from being unfit and out of
shape to competing in triathlons
every other month, after being
inspired to start training last
Christmas.
Kevin – who has completed four
events since April including the
Bristol Triathlon – said he has never
felt better.
“I’m a completely different person
now – I feel healthier, look fitter and
my work has benefited as I’m alert
all day long,” he said.
“When I started I could barely
swim lengths in the pool, and last
night I did a 10-mile cycle ride and
two-mile run in 45 minutes. I just
wish I’d done this 20 years ago!”
Kevin, Head of Marketing, started
swimming three times a week in
January, started running the
following month and took part in a
triathlon in Burnham-on-Sea in April.
He then raised £850 for
Technology’s charity of the year,
Gloucestershire Young Carers, in the
Bristol event, before completing the
Cheltenham Triathlon.
His most recent event was
September’s Sandford Park triathlon,
organised by his local pool, and he
added: “It was this triathlon that
friends suggested I do last year, and
that’s what inspired me to start
training – it was great to finally do it
and show just how far I’ve come in a
year.”
BID TO
RAISE
PLANE
FROM
SEA BED
Aiming high: Dai and the Sunderland
A sunken WWII aircraft – the
last one of its kind in the world –
is being raised from the seabed
by a security officer.
Dai Humphreys is part of a
group of volunteer divers trying
to rescue the Mk1 Sunderland
flying boat, which has lain 50ft
below the ocean for the past 70
years.
The group has brought up
from the wreck a number of
artefacts, which are on
display at Pembroke
Dock, and recently
recovered the second of
its four engines.
Dai works for G4S
at the South Hook Liquified
Natural Gas Terminal in Milford
Haven, near the site of the
wreck.
He said: “The flying boat
broke loose from her moorings
during a storm in 1940 and sank
to the seabed. It was only
discovered six years ago
accidentally by a local diver.
“I’m a founder member of the
Pembroke Dock Sunderland
Trust, which was set up to
recover the wreck and put it on
public display.”
The group is the only set of
divers allowed to work on the
wreck and works to professional
standards, in often challenging
conditions.
Visibility is
two metres
on a good day
“The wreck is in an estuary,
which means it’s very dark and
murky – on a good day the
visibility is only two metres,”
Dai explained.
“It’s something I really enjoy
doing, though, and we’re already
planning to raise the fuselage
either next year or 2012.”
Fourteen hours in
the saddle – again
It’s fair to say that for most
people travelling halfway across
the country, a car or train would
be the preferred mode of
transport.
But instead, a Heathrowbased Detainee Custody Officer
chose to cycle
from Birmingham
to London.
Davinder Bola,
who works for
G4S at the
airport’s Terminal
3, was one of 150
riders to cycle
over 130 miles
between the two
cities as part of an
annual event in
aid of a children’s
charity.
“I first heard about it from a
colleague and thought it
sounded great,” said Davinder.
“This is the third time I’ve done
it in the last four years.
The 14-hour journey was
split over two days, with the
group staying overnight in
Luton and finishing in Hayes at
the end of the second leg.
“Having done it before I was
as physically and mentally
prepared as I could be, and I
was pleased with how I did,”
Davinder said.
“Although it’s not
a race, I set myself a
personal target of
finishing near the
front, and that’s just
what I did.”
He added: “It’s
made me
enthusiastic about
cycling again, and
as a result I cycle
into work and back
– around 15 miles a
day.”
Over the last 20 years the
event, organised by
volunteering organisation
SACA, has raised more than
£220,000 for children’s causes.
This year, the riders raised
£30,000 for WellChild, a
charity for children with
disabilities.
In-depth
approach
to therapy
Disabled ex-Servicemen in the
UK and America are being
given a new lease of life
thanks to an innovative charity
set up by a G4S employee.
Edinburgh-based Fraser Bathgate has
been in a wheelchair for nearly 20 years
after being badly injured in a climbing
accident at the age of 23.
After a friend suggested he try scuba
diving, Events Supervisor Fraser not only
discovered he had a talent for it, but that it
had great therapeutic potential for disabled
people.
After becoming the world’s first paraplegic diving instructor, Fraser founded
Deptherapy, a charity that takes groups of
15 wounded British veterans and US
Marines to the Florida Keys twice a year,
and teaches them to dive. His latest trip
took place last month, and Fraser told The
Link: “Diving gives you the unique freedom of being able to move in a 360-degree
environment, and if you’re disabled it is
incredibly empowering.
“For the therapy to work best, the water
needs to be warm, which is why Florida is
perfect.
Disabled ex-Servicemen
explore the sea beneath
the Florida Keys and,
below, enjoy the
sunshine between dives
“Before going out to sea, we work in the
pool, and help them gain confidence and
independence.
“We tailor the programme to meet the
needs of every individual. On our last trip
we worked with a triple amputee, and one
of our past divers was quadriplegic.”
Fraser has become one of the world’s
leading experts on weightlessness, has
helped develop special diving gear and has
even advised NASA on its spacesuit
weighting systems. In 2002 he was the
subject of a BBC documentary, as part of
the Lives Less Ordinary series.
Deptherapy received charitable status in
March, with G4S Events MD Mark
Hamilton as patron.
■ If you want to find out more about the
work it does, you can visit the website at
www.deptherapy.co.uk
Great-hearted
effort all round
Tee and sympathy
helps a hospice
A hospice near Liverpool has
been boosted by £7,000 from a
charity golf day, which was
won by an HMP Altcourse
employee.
Derek McShane and three
friends beat off competition
from 24 other teams to take
first place in the eighth annual
tournament in aid of
Woodlands Hospice.
And they were presented
with the trophy by snooker
legend and former World
Champion John Parrott.
“It was a great day and,
while we were pleased to win,
it was all about raising as much
as possible for a very good
cause,” said Derek, who has
worked at Altcourse since
helping to build it as an
electrical engineer 13 years
ago. He is now Head of
Facilities and Catering.
The event continued the
relationship between the prison
and the hospice, which sees
supervised prisoners visit to
carry out maintenance work.
Fundraisers from Electronic
Monitoring have brought in a
staggering £11,868 so far this
year for various charities.
■ Court Enforcement Officer
Jason Whitehouse-Strudwick,
took part in a mammoth 50mile cycle, 2.5-mile row and
mountain climb to raise
£2,000 for Liverpool’s Alder
Hey Children’s Hospital.
■ Employees in Swindon
Service Area raised over
£2,000 for Down’s Syndrome
after organising cake sales
and dress-down days, and a
successful application to the
company ‘Match It’ scheme.
■ The team in Leeds raised
more than £700 for Yorkshire
Eye Research through similar
activities, while G4S
competitors in the recent
Manchester 10k run raised
£1,600 for a number of causes.
■ Other notable events
included Control Centre
Officer Fida Hussain’s 330mile cycle ride from London
to Paris, which has raised
over £1,250, and Training
Officer Victoria Rowe’s
abseil from the top of Old
Trafford football stadium,
which raised £355 in
sponsorship.
■ Keen runner Mark
Robinson, Equipment
Recovery Officer, raised
£400 in the London
Marathon, while a team that
took place in Race for Life
generated £600 in
sponsorship.
■ Last but not least, Senior
Court Enforcement Officer
Andy Stoner and his party of
four completed the Three
Peaks Challenge, raising over
£1,000.
Page 18
the Link October 2010
October 2010
Secure Solutions (UK) long servers July and August 2010
40 YEARS
10 YEARS
The first time veteran
Mobile Patrol Officer Martin
Horrocks was called on to
deal with an alarm it was
something of a novelty.
Martin, who completed
his 40 years’ service with G4S in July, is in
the same role today as when he joined at
the age of 26 – and still remembers his
first alarm call.
“When I started you’d visit the same
sites regularly to check everything was
OK, and one day we were told an alarm
had gone off in Manchester, and we
needed to go and turn it off with a key.
“That was the first one we knew about,
and today of course that’s what the job is
all about. It was very different then.”
In his time with the company,
Manchester-based Martin has also
worked as a Cash in Transit officer and as
a security officer at sites around the
country, before ending up back where he
started in 1970.
“I remember thinking, shortly after I
started, ‘this is a great job’, and I still
enjoy it today all these years later,” he
added.
Harris Makka, Jacqueline Tutleman, Linda Wildsmith,
Peter Moore, Daud Gill, Tina Howard, James Wilson,
Roy Bradberry, Raghbir Ubhi, William Maclean, Linval
Heron, Tabraz Hussain, Sheinaaz Budhwani, Tav Prasad
Kaur Chagar. David Kalameera, Abdul-Asis Kulmie, Paul
Reed, Salaheldien Kheari, Valerie Negbenebor.
Jamie Webb, John Stevenson, Kevin Storey, Graeme
Mckechnie, Chris Afolabi Oputah, Christopher Dyer,
James Mccambridge, Fatai Adeola Odutemowo, Shiraz
30 YEARS
15 YEARS
David Vincent, Michael Johnson,
Olusegun Osilajah, James Flinn.
Noel Roberts, Rowland Webb, Elizabeth
Hobster, Nigel Bean, Neil Owen, James
Townsend, Ian Birkby, Mirza Beig, Joseph
Lowe, Grant Walker, Pritpal Bajwa, Shahbaz
Malik, George Dench, Sernjit S Bhamber,
Paul Hodge, Manjit S Ranu, Justin Vidal,
Robert Shearer, Audrey Parry, Martin
Francis, Malcolm Bennett, Chaman Lal
Salhotra, David Notley, Leslie Armstrong, Ian
Cowie, Kenneth Trueman, Catherine
Dempsey, William West, Richard Hindley,
Francis Cooper, Kevin Parker, Albert
Penfold, Leroy Cameron, David Street,
Stuart Hamilton.
20 YEARS
Robert Jones, Eben Dormon, Damian
Clegg, Edward Brogan, Michael
Makinde, Donald Phillips, Roy Sheppard,
John Owens, Michael Moore, John
Heaveron, Sheila Gilliland, Malcolm
Duncan, Stuart Jones, Barrie Simpson,
Keith Moran, David Whitehead, John
Spruce, Joseph Mckay, John Juett,
Mohammed Farooque, Mojeed Amoda.
Ganijee, Baloura Singh Garcha, Vijay Limbachia, Gavin
Lucas, Joseph Mettle, Gordon Hamilton, Tony
Rodrigues, Robert Chippendale, Gregory Rutter, Roger
Hawkins, Toussaint Dakoury, Prem Paul Mattu, Mark
Wylie, Christopher Joel.
Amar Singh Gill, Daine Pryce, Leslie Hughes, Scott
Burdock, Lesley Corken, Ian Wood, Avis Ocallaghan,
James Mills, Sarah Croft, John Blackburn, Karl Amogu,
Diane Cheal, Bilal Butt, Ali Hassan, Robert Barlow,
Mohammed Khaliq, John Byron, Coleen Bell, Ian
Barker, John Garrod, Philip Jones, Sivananthan
Arunasalam.
Pravinchandra Patel, Paramjit Singh Vig, Patricia
Morgan, Alan Robinson, Donna Pointer, Andrew
Simpson, Ike Lazarus Okwah, Sarbjit Bajwa, Peter
Bale, Christian Lloyd, Michael Knight, Syed Toqir Abbas
Shah, Joan Sadler, Geoffrey Potts, Andrew Mcginlay,
Suresh Samuel.
Employees with five, 10 or 15 years’ service will receive a letter from Secure Solutions (UK) Managing Director Doug Hewitson and a bronze, silver or gold badge.
Those with 20 or 30 years will receive a letter, platinum badge and £200 or £300 respectively. Employees with 40 years’ service will receive separate recognition.
Employees of the Month
are chosen from among
Secure Solutions (UK)
employees who
demonstrate living the company values. Nominations can
be made by colleagues and managers using the forms and
guidance notes on ESS. Each winner is presented with a
high quality gift chosen by their manager, such as crystal
glassware, leather travel goods and premium brand pens.
They will also be invited to the national final later in the
year. These are the nominees for June and July.
Ian Mcbain (Events) Scottish Borders: Organiser of the
Melrose Sevens praised Ian’s efforts at the event saying, “No fuss,
no drama and nothing fazes him at all.”
Mike Briggs (Events) Rockness: Praised for being “cheerful,
helpful, dependable and showing a positive attitude” during long
shifts at the wet and windy festival.
Jayne Leadley (Gurkha Services) Soar Power Station:
Upgrading work at the site saw receptionist Jayne dealing with up
to 1,200 visitors a day with “efficiency, professionalism, speed and
good humour”.
Dal Jirel (Gurkha Services) Lydd: Praised as “unfailingly
cheerful” with a “prodigious capacity for hard work” over long
hours and then acting as an unpaid barber to his colleagues.
Brentwood Patrol Team (Monitoring and Response):
A letter from client BAA said the team – Bill Fillipou, Alan
Gillingwater, Stephen Olugun, Timothy Brettell – is “smart, polite
and vigilant and displays attention to detail and thoroughness”.
John Grifferty (Monitoring and Response) Sunderland: He
overcame crowd congestion by leaving his vehicle and walking to
reach a building in which an alarm had been activated.
10 YEARS
Malachy Corbett (Northern
Ireland) Belfast Castle: Contacted
police and helped to identify a man who
had exposed himself to a visitor, leading
to the offender’s arrest.
Mark Palmer (Northern Ireland) Diageo: He is described as
delivering a first class service and is “always looking to improve the
service he gives to clients”.
Tanya Rose Greyson (Olympic Delivery Authority): She took
control of vehicle search requirements and servicing of chemical
analysis machines leading to her appointment as technical
supervisor in which she has displayed “vigor and enthusiasm”.
Abdul Muquith (Olympic Delivery Authority): He is efficient,
eager to learn and has a confident attitude, including taking part in
a train the trainer course.
Geoffrey Ratcliffe (Facilities Management) RBS: Following
an alert from the client he checked every identity card of staff and
contractors to prevent possible security breaches, and checked
198 vehicles in one day, finding that many were not permitted to
use the company car park.
Natalie Anderson and Wendell Daniel (Regional Security)
O2 City of London: They discovered, photographed and detained
two men who had been using cloned credit cards to steal money
from cash machines.
Warren Greatrex (Regional Security) Crowngate Shopping
Centre, Worcester: He gave first aid and comfort to a boy who
had fallen 35ft from an escalator.
Stephen Berrington (Transport and Borders): He helped to
save the life of an elderly man who collapsed and stopped
breathing.
Glynis Goldsmith (Transport and Borders): She headed the
Gatwick team supporting Events crews at Wimbledon, volunteered
to support teams at Bristol and Liverpool airports and praised for
her high standard of body searching.
Climbing
the
ladder
Adding recognised qualifications to your CV
could make all the difference to your career
prospects. At G4S, employees can look for
help and support towards their ongoing
professional development
Don’t be afraid
to show what
you’re made of
Having risen through the ranks at
Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre,
Cindy Brewster has one piece of
advice for employees: do your best,
and you will get recognised.
Cindy is currently Head of Care and deputises
for the centre’s Director. The story of her career is
one of constant progression after joining as a
training assistant in 1999.
“I was part of the first intake when the centre opened, and within three months I had
moved up to supervisor,” she told The Link.
Cindy then started a G4S-supported training course that in turn allowed her to complete a Diploma in Social Work at
Northampton University, again supported by the company.
“Whenever training was
offered, I jumped at the chance,”
she explained. “I was always
career-minded, and when
there was the opportunity to
become a qualified social worker, I knew that
would help me move into management.”
Cindy fit the course around her role at Rainsbrook, and during this time she became Duty Operations Manager, then the Centre Youth Worker, followed by Social Work Practice Manager. Additionally, in 2005 she was made Duty Director.
Two years later she was appointed Head
of Youth Offending Services, and is
now seconded to the role of Head of
Care.
“I still pinch myself that I have got
this far, but I always wanted to
achieve something here,” she said.
“I’m proof that G4S does invest
in its people, and that if you do
work hard and go that extra
mile, then you will be
recognised and get the
chance to advance.
Don’t be afraid to
show people what
you can do.”
Still improving after all these years
Not many people these days spend
40 years on the same site, but one
G4S man has just completed his
fourth decade at Dover.
Les Godley, currently Continuous
Improvement Manager, has held a
number of different roles at the port
since starting there in 1970.
Then 25, Les joined as a crane
driver and rose through the ranks to
become Cargo Services Controller.
When the first cruise ships began to
come to Dover in 1996, Les was
appointed Cruise Controller, then
Cruise Manager in 2002 before
moving to his current role six years
later.
G4S won the contract for the
port’s security and cruise operations
in January 2009, and Les transferred
saying he’s looking forward to the
next 40 years.
“I’ve never had a day when I
haven’t enjoyed my work, and I like
to think I still have plenty to offer,”
said Les, who has met the Queen
and Prince Charles during his time
at Dover.
Useful
contacts
HR/Training
If you have an HR or training query
please speak to your line manager
if you work for these G4S
businesses:
■ Risk Management employees,
including Assessment Services
■ Secure Solutions (UK)
employees, including Events,
Gurkha Services, Monitoring &
Response, Northern Ireland, ODA,
RBS and Telereal Trillium, Regional
Security, and Transport & Borders.
You can also use ESS (the
Employee Self Service system) to
‘log an issue’ with your manager.
Go to: https://ess.myg4s.com or
text ‘MNGR’ followed by your
message to 07624 807372.
■ UK & Ireland regional
management
For the following businesses, the
first line of communication should
be your line manager, but further
queries can be addressed to the
HR teams below:
■ Utility Services – local HR
contact or Head Office 0191 201
3578 or email
utilityservices.hr@uk.g4s.com
■ Care & Justice Services Central
HR – 01909 544858
■ Children Services:
Medway STC – 01634 823300,
Rainsbrook STC – 01788 528812,
Oakhill STC – 01908 866040
■ Court Services – 01909 504038
■ Detention & Escorting –
01293 666 772
■ Electronic Monitoring –
0161 862 1008
■ Guernsey – 01481 259467
■ Immigration Services:
Gatwick IRCs – 01293 566514
Dungavel IRC – 01698 395027
Oakington IRC – 01954 78300
■ Integrated Services employees in
the UK and Ireland – local HR
contact or Head Office in
Broadway 01386 858585, or
Integrator
■ Isle of Man – 01624 649000 or
email hr@im.g4s.com
■ Jersey – 01534 502612
■ Prisons:
HMP Altcourse – 0151 522 2015
HMP Rye Hill – 01788 523300
HMP Wolds – 01430 428025 HMP
& YOI Parc – 01656 300213
■ Police Support Services – 0845
301 2859
■ Secure Solutions (Republic of
Ireland) – 00 353 1 8561666 or
email humanresources@ie.g4s.com
■ Technology (UK) – 01684 850977
Recruitment
If you have a friend who would like
to join G4S, or if you are interested
in transferring to another G4S
business, please look at the G4S
website. All G4S jobs in the UK
are advertised at www.g4s.com/uk
In addition:
■ Risk Management roles in
Afghanistan and the Middle East
are not regularly advertised due to
the frequently changing demand.
However, if you have recent
military operational experience,
email your CV to
riskmanagement.hr@uk.g4s.com
■ If you are interested in a role
with Technology (UK) email your
CV to recruitment@g4tec.com
■ Vacancies at HMP & YOI Parc
are advertised at
www.hmpparc.co.uk
■ The Secure Solutions (UK)
recruitment hotline is 0870
0108376
■ Events: Email the region’s
recruitment manager:
leane.baker@uk.g4s.com (South)
angela.renfrew@uk.g4s.com (North
and Scotland) or call the relevant
recruitment line – for details see
www.g4s.com/uk-eventrecruitment
the Link Page 19
Centred on jobs
TEAM
TALK
Across the UK, hundreds of thousands
of jobseekers visit one of the 350
Jobcentre Plus sites, which are secured
by G4S, every week.
At a time of economic downturn, these sites are busier than ever, and at
the moment over 2,000 G4S frontline employees are clocking up 340,000
man-hours each month for customer Telereal Trillium. To find out more
about the work these teams are doing, The Link editor Alan Ratcliffe
spent the day with the Jobcentre Plus team at Blackwood in South Wales.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM
To take part in this feature call
Alan Ratcliffe on 07891 703777
or email thelink@pressgang.eu
Ken talks to
Link editor Alan
BACKROOM
BOY ON
STANDBY
Name: Alan Lewis
Job role: Customer
Support Officer
Time on the job: Since
June, I was doing a similar
role in Swansea before that.
Tell us about your role:
I provide security to the
back of house, open up in
the morning, do the
paperwork for the team and
look after the equipment to
ensure that it is all working
properly. I am also trained
to provide maintenance to
Name: Mark Coburn
Job role: Mobile Support
Officer
Time on the job: Two and a
half years in my current
position.
Tell us about your role
I travel between the 19
manned centres in my area
and visit them once a month.
There, I talk to the officers,
and find out if they have any
problems I can help them sort
out, such as getting a new
uniform.
I’m their first point of
contact, and anything I can’t
deal with I pass onto the
Operations Manager.
How has the contract
been affected by the
economy?
It’s growing, a lot of the
smaller sites are getting
bigger and sites that were
unmanned now require
security officers.
As well as people finding
themselves out of work,
there’s a lot more footfall in all
the sites, because of the
changes to incapacity
benefits.
More people are now
required to come in for
interviews, and that means all
the sites are a lot busier.
the site, including for
example dealing with
electrical faults, so if there
are any problems, I’ll fix
them if I can.
Any memorable
moments?
Every so often I need to go
and assist one of the front
of house officers if there’s a
problem with a customer.
They all carry pagers, so
if there’s an emergency
situation, all the officers on
site go to assist.
MEETING AND
GREETING
Name: Ken Jones
Job role: Customer Care
Officer, back of house
Time on the job: I’ve
been here for six years,
back when it was a
Benefit Agency.
Tell us about your role
I meet and greet people
when they come
downstairs to be
interviewed, or when they
arrive for one of the twiceweekly back to work
sessions.
While they’re here I
make sure I keep an eye
out for any problems.
What skills are
important?
You have to relate to
people, and make them
feel comfortable.
When they arrive I go
and introduce them to the
person interviewing them
and it helps them relax.
Most memorable
moment?
Recently someone came
in very drunk, and I asked
him to leave.
As he left, he fell down
and I was able to catch
him before he hit the
ground.
I got him into the
recovery position and
stayed with him until an
ambulance arrived.
Mark, left,
and Tyron
TROUBLESHOOTERS
ON THE ROAD
Name: Tyron Stevenson
Job role: Operations
Manager
Tell us about your role
Wayne Lodwig and I cover
the whole of Wales
between us, and our role
is to support our officers
on the ground.
As far as I’m
concerned, it’s a support
function, and we need to
ensure all our employees
have everything they
need, such as equipment
and training.
How is this contract
unique?
There are more incidents
than on an average
security contract, because
people’s incomes and
livelihoods are involved,
and there’s a lot of
frustration and aggression
as a result.
Our officers have to
defuse challenging
situations, and they’re
doing a great job.
LEADING
FROM THE
FRONT
Names: Tommy Llewellyn
and Mark McWilliams
Job role: Customer Care
Officers, front of house
Time on the job: Four
years, since it opened
(Tommy), nearly four
months, I spent a year
before that working back of
house (Mark).
Tell us about your role:
Tommy We’re based at
the front entrance of the
centre, and it’s our role to
provide a secure presence
on the floor.
We keep our eyes and
ears open for any incidents,
and make sure people
aren’t smoking or drinking.
Mark We meet and greet
people as they arrive, and
help to direct them to where
they need to go.
We have to look out for
volatile situations and
defuse them promptly
For instance, if we’re
aware that someone has
been waiting a long time,
we’ll make sure they get
seen as soon as possible.
Tommy If someone gets
agitated, we ask them to be
quiet, and if they refuse we
escort them outside.
Tommy, left,
and Mark
Generally, though, if you
treat people right, and are
as polite as possible, then
they treat you right in return.
Mark It can be a
confrontational environment. I worked in
immigration before, and it’s
a similar service for a
different clientele.
What skills are
important?
Mark Inter-personal skills
are key. You need to treat
people with respect, be
patient and not react to any
provocation. You get to
know the regulars over
time, and some of them
stop and chat about their
lives. You never know what
the day will bring, so you
have to be able to take
everything as it comes.
Any memorable
moments?
Tommy There is one
regular, who is now serving
a three-month ban, who
always causes trouble.
When he comes in, we
escort him straight away to
a private area away from
the public. Luckily, there
are very few people like
that.
Page 20
the Link October 2010
YOUR SHOUT!
Great job, guys
second
interview
6
I went to a Muse
concert at Lancashire
County Cricket
Ground last month –
the first time I’d been to
an event where G4S
officers were stewarding and they did a
fantastic job. Whilst queuing up to get
in the venue I don’t think there was
one bag that wasn’t checked by the
team on the gates and all of the staff
were helpful to anyone who needed
anything. No hiccups on the night (that
I know of) and it was a really great
atmosphere. Job well done!
Hayley Wood, Care & Justice
Services, Nottinghamshire
Jahanzeb Khan, Security Officer
If you or one of your colleagues want to take part in our
60-second interview call Alan Ratcliffe on 07891 703777
What do you do? I work on
the security team at the
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club.
G4S provides security here all
year round, as there are a lot of
activities taking place – such as
veterans’ and juniors’
tournaments – and it’s a big
tourist attraction.
How long have you
been working for
G4S? I started work
in April this year, for
the build-up to the
Wimbledon
Championships, but
the management liked
my work so I was
taken on permanently.
Your colleagues
would be surprised
to know . . . When I
was studying in Pakistan, I
worked for a while as a radio
presenter, on FM104 Radio
Buraq. When the country was
devastated by an earthquake in
2005, I took part in the aid effort,
and did a number of shows to
help raise funds for it.
What was your first job? That
was my first job as well – I was
quite famous at the time!
If you were CEO for the day,
what would you do? G4S is
such a massive company with
so many business units I’m not
sure where I would start! I do
think that it’s important for
management to interact
regularly with
employees, as it helps
to make them feel part
of the company, and
for their ideas to be
taken on board.
What do you do
outside of work? I
like to travel and to
interact with different
people and cultures,
and learn more about
other parts of the
world. My wife has just had a
baby, so I also like to spend time
with my family.
What was the last book you
read? It was called The Air
Warriors of Pakistan. It’s a
biography of a fighter pilot and
it’s all about the technical skills
required to be a pilot. It’s good.
Thank you to
all of those
who take the
time to tell
me what you
think about
The Link.
Your
feedback is
important
and while I’m
glad most of you seem to
enjoy the paper, please
don’t hesitate to tell me if
there is anything you
would like to see more – or
less – of. Get in touch too
if you have a story for me.
Alan Ratcliffe, Editor
07891 703777
We had the privilege of attending my
nephew’s wedding in Vastervik,
Sweden. The venue for the wedding
was a Museum in
Vastervik and I was
pleased to see the G4S
logo prominently
displayed on the front
door. Extremely good
venue for a wedding,
by the way.
Lesley Hill, Secretary
to Managing Director, G4S
Infrastructure and Defence
While on a trip to Las Vegas I spotted
the familiar G4S logo, but noticed that
security officers were wearing vests
beneath their shirts despite the soaring
temperatures. They told me it’s because
the shirts are polyester
and uncomfortable on
the skin. When I told
them I worked in Group
Internal Audit, they
asked if I could do
anything to help them
get cotton shirts instead!
Simon Croke, G4S plc
I think the G4S staff at Gloucester job
centre should have a big thank you for
all the hard work they have done.
Anon – sent to The Link text line
What do you think of The Link?
Here’s some of your views
“I think The Link is a great way to
ensure all levels of the team get a
chance to share a word with the top and
bottom tier of our people.” John
Foulstone, Leeds
“I think the publication is excellent.
Being an advertising man, how about
raising additional revenue by offering
advertising space?” Robert Begrie, EOn
“This has been my first copy of The
Link and it has opened my eyes to the
possibilities of moving within other
business units within G4S and how to
better my qualifications.” Karen
Cooper, Events Steward, Leeds
“While G4S may seem huge The Link
brings us all that little bit closer.”
Sharon Holmes, Detention and
Escorting
“It helps me to better my performance
and keeps me up to date with G4S, so
the product is second to none.”
Matthew Osai, Olympic Park
“Great paper! It lets us see all about
what our colleagues are involved with,
compare jobs and interests and
generally read how their lives are
affected day by day.” Linda Hine,
Maritime Southampton Docks
GRAB A PRIZE
Slim chance to make
your own movies
Calling all budding film makers,
particularly those with big ambitions
but small pockets.
The Link is offering readers the
chance to win a Veho HD ultra-slim
camcorder.
This sleek bit of kit is small enough
to fit in your pocket, making it easily
transportable and great for catching
memories on film.
As well as featuring motion
detection and 64MB of memory, the
camcorder also takes still photographs
Find our hidden celeb
WIN
£20
Find a word that can follow the word on the left and
precede the word on the right.
When you have filled in all the answers, the name of a
celebrity can be read from top to bottom in one of the lines.
To enter, complete and post the form, or text or email the name
of the celebrity as detailed below.
Closing date for entries: 19 November, 2010
and can be used to play MP3s.
On top of that we’ll throw in an
8GB memory card and a USB
stick to make uploading your
films even easier.
All you have to do to be in with
a chance of winning is to answer
the questions and send via post,
email or text as listed below.
The winner will be the first
correct entry drawn out of the
editor’s hat on 19 November
2010.
■ Congratulations to Peter McClurg, Retail, winner of last issue’s hotel break for two
Which two businesses worked together to
win a major contract with Ireland’s
tourism authority?
Tell us what you think about The Link*
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AIR
BATH
DAMP
RECORD
HALF
PRINCE
BELLY
BUTTON
BACK
PEN
HIGH
LEONE
SEND
DOCTOR
WATER
FODDER
GREEN
ARREST
TOP
BILL
ROLE
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Tel
* Your response may be published in The Link
GET IN TOUCH
Text: 07805 117371
Tel
Link Competitions, G4S, Sutton Park House,
Mail: The
15 Carshalton Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 4LD
Please recycle your copy of The Link
Call: 07891 703777