Jodie Stevens joins Venture Security in compliance manager’s role

Hampshire-based security solutions provider Venture Security has bolstered its senior team with the appointment of Jodie Stevens as compliance manager. In her new role, Stevens will be responsible for overseeing all regulatory, privacy and compliance matters within the organisation and ensuring that the necessary British Standards are applied.

That process and procedure includes managing Venture Security’s many accreditations, such as its National Security Inspectorate Gold status, CHAS and ACS Pacesetters memberships and the business’ continued registration on the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme.

Prior to joining Venture Security, Stevens spent 11 years working at Heathrow Airport within airfield operations, safety and transformation. As such, she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the airfield, maintaining safety processes and dealing with any accidents and incidents as required, more recently being focused on improving the efficiency of ground operations. This followed on from an 18-month spell in a similar role at Southampton Airport.

Commenting on her new appointment, Stevens said: “I’ve known the team at Venture Security for many years now. I actually hold an SIA licence myself and, in my spare time, have supported the team with guarding operations at Stonehenge, Salisbury Racecourse and for other regional events so I already have a lot of knowledge about the company and how it operates.”

Stevens continued: “Being furloughed due to COVID-19 and a recent restructure led me to reflect on my role at Heathrow Airport and it just seemed the perfect time to make the move to join Venture Security. It’s a great fit for my skills and experience and I look forward to the opportunity of making a tangible difference at what is an ambitious and growing company.”

Jodie Stevens

Upholding standards

Paul Howe, managing director at Venture Security, responded: “Jodie is exceptional at what she does and will be a valuable member of the team. As a company, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality of service possible and that comes down to employing the best people, organising the best training and investing in industry-leading systems and processes. We’re currently undergoing significant growth as a business and upholding standards throughout will be central to our success.”

Based in Andover, Venture Security is ranked within the top 1% of security providers in the UK. The award-winning company was founded in 2006 and works with both corporate and residential clients, providing services including security guarding, mobile patrols, locking and unlocking for premises, key holding and alarm response.

As well as working with businesses, the team manages security for a number of high-profile regional venues and events, also working with councils and BIDs to tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces.

CHAS makes three key appointments designed to strengthen operations

Supply chain risk management expert CHAS (the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) has appointed Alex Minett as head of products and markets and Elaine Bailey and Peter Hepworth, both of whom become non-executive directors at the trusted Health and Safety compliance advisor.

Alex Minett brings in-depth knowledge of the SHEQ sector in the UK and internationally from a contracting and consulting perspective having established SHEQ strategies for multiple businesses (including blue chip companies) across diverse sectors.

He also has extensive knowledge of construction Best Practice and compliance having worked for 20 years in the construction sector, including on iconic projects such as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Battersea Power Station where he advised on safety measures for the demolition and re-erection of the four iconic chimneys.

In addition, Minett was responsible for establishing the initial SHEQ strategy for Transport for Wales and supported the procurement team within the wider provision of the multi-billion pound franchise with pre-qualification of the bids.

Alex Minett

Further afield, Minett worked closely with the World Bank and other funders on one of the world’s largest solar farms in Benban and initiated a zero harm approach to safety at the Facebook Data Centre in Lulea. He was also responsible for embedding safe working practices for the construction and delivery of the Saudi Aramco Petroleum Polytechnic in Saudi Arabia.

Now, Minett has overall responsibility for all of the CHAS products both current and new and is closely involved in the strategic position of CHAS within the marketplace and identifying opportunities for growth.

CHAS managing director Ian McKinnon stated: “Alex is an excellent addition to the CHAS team and we’re delighted to have him on board. His insight and experience will be invaluable as we continue to expand our service offer.”

Minett himself commented: “I’m excited to be joining CHAS at a time of marked growth for the organisation. As the founder of contractor prequalification, CHAS enjoys a first class reputation and I’m looking forward to helping build on this as the business evolves and grows.”

Extensive experience

Elaine Bailey became a non-executive director at CHAS with effect from Wednesday 1 July. Bailey has worked extensively across the construction, criminal justice, Government services and housing sectors in the private, public and not for profit sectors and brings 15 years of executive Board experience to the role.

From 2014 to 2019, Bailey served as CEO of London-based Housing Association The Hyde Group where, as well as significantly improving financial and operating performance, she drove a major change programme designed to simplify, automate and improve service delivery.

Bailey also sits on the Industry Safety Steering Group chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt which is charged with scrutinising proposals and progress towards culture change within the construction industry following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire.

Elaine Bailey

Previously, Bailey held senior positions at FTSE 250 outsourcer Serco and is a trustee of Catch 22 and the Greenslade Family Foundation, as well as a Board member of the Andium Housing Association.

Speaking about Bailey’s appointment, Ian McKinnon stated: “Elaine’s successes at The Hyde Group, along with her knowledge and experience of good governance, make her an excellent addition to the CHAS Board. We also welcome Elaine’s commitment to driving cultural change within the construction industry following the Grenfell Tower tragedy through her work as part of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Steering Group.”

Bailey responded: “I’m delighted to be joining an organisation which plays a key role in improving occupational Health and Safety performance in UK workplaces. I’m looking forward to working with CHAS to continue to raise Health and Safety standards right across the UK.”

Digital transformation

Peter Hepworth formerly oversaw a portfolio of businesses while serving as executive officer of the Professional Services division at Capita plc, where his achievements included rationalising 14 separate learning businesses into one organisation and executing the digital transformations of Constructionline and Parking Eye.

He simultaneously served as CEO of AXELOS.com, a joint venture between Capita and the Cabinet Office and the publisher of global Best Practice guidance for IT, project and risk management. In fact, Hepworth was responsible for founding the operation in 2013. He grew the business internationally, expanding the product range and launching a cyber resilience portfolio while regularly liaising at ministerial level. Hepworth also transitioned AXELOS to become a Content-as-a-Service subscription model.

Previously, Hepworth served as managing director of Activision Blizzard UK where he was responsible for transitioning the business to meet the digital future. He has also held senior positions at L’Oréal, Sara Lee and BDO Stoy Hayward. His additional board experience includes having served as a non-executive director of The Fire Service College, Fera Science and eve Sleep. Hepworth is a Chartered Accountant by background.

Peter Hepworth

“We’re very happy to welcome Peter to the CHAS Board,” enthused Ian McKinnon. “He brings a wealth of experience in digital transformation which will prove invaluable as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.”

Hepworth informed Security Matters: “I’m excited to be joining the Board of CHAS as it continues its strong growth trajectory. The company has an excellent reputation with an impressive portfolio of digital products and services that can help businesses transform their risk management processes. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to support the further success of both CHAS and its extensive customer base.”

CHAS makes it easy to locate COVID-19 secure contractors

CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, has added a Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19) to its member-focused packages designed to assist anyone who engages contractors in immediately identifying whether or not they are COVID-19 secure.

Organisations have had to rapidly adapt their working practices to operate safely during the Coronavirus outbreak and CHAS’ Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19) helps to verify that these adjustments have been made in line with latest Government and sector-issued guidelines.

In order for a contractor to qualify as COVID-19 secure they must confirm (and, where appropriate, evidence) that they have taken three key actions which include:

• Producing and putting into place COVID-19 specific risk assessments, method statements and controls 
• Sharing the risk assessment with staff (and online for organisations with over 50 employees)
• Displaying a notice to confirm they have complied with Government guidance

Construction-related businesses must also indicate that they are following COVID-19 Secure Site Operating Procedures as detailed by the Construction Leadership Council.

For contractors to comply, they simply need to login to the contractor portal and upload and submit evidence to show they meet the requirements. Meanwhile, CHAS clients log on to the CHAS Client Portal and they can instantly see whether a contractor has completed the Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19).

For those organisations who are not already CHAS clients, it is quick, easy and completely free to register and includes a range of business benefits, from the ability to easily source compliant contractors by trade and region from a database of over 50 0000 through to the availability of dedicated business services.

CHAS managing director Ian McKinnon informed Security Matters: “We recognise that organisations are looking for reassurance that everyone within their supply chain is operating to the required COVID-19 secure standards, but we also know that it’s extremely difficult for organisations to perform these checks independently, and particularly so while running on skeleton staff. The Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19) makes it easy for CHAS contractors to qualify for work while affording CHAS clients immediate visibility of a contractor’s COVID-19 secure status.”