Mitie appoints Rachel Parker as new regional director for Total Security Management business division

Facilities management company Mitie has appointed Rachel Parker as its regional director of London and the South East for the organisation’s Total Security Management business. 

Parker, who has over 20 years’ experience in the security industry – most recently with security solutions company Wilson James – brings with her a wealth of experience in retention, key account wins, mobilisation and large event security.

Rachel Parker: joining the team at Mitie Total Security Management

Speaking about her new role, Parker commented: “I’m delighted to be joining Mitie and am looking forward to growing the London and South East region portfolio. I was keen to join Mitie because of its client-focused and innovative approach to security and look forward to working with the team.”

Mitie’s TSM division is one of the UK’s leading security operations, providing integrated and risk-based security services for a plethora of end users across vertical sectors including logistics, retail, aviation, Critical Security Environments (CSE), healthcare, education and corporate/financial/professional.

MITIE awarded three-year contract extension with world-renowned Durham University

MITIE Group plc – the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company – has extended its relationship with Durham University for the next three years in a contract renewal worth £5 million.

The contract will see MITIE continue to provide integrated facilities management for the higher education institute at its main Durham campus in addition to the Queen Campus in Thornaby.

A team of 100 people will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive range of services including Total Security Management, cleaning, landscaping and pest control.

The contract award builds on MITIE’s expertise in the education sector where the company already works with a number of prestigious establishments including Queen Mary University and Oxford Brookes.

MITIE Group plc has renewed its FM contract with Durham University

Phil Holland, managing director for MITIE’s Integrated Facilities Management business, said: “We’re delighted to be extending our relationship with Durham University. In the past four years we’ve been committed to transforming FM services and have continued to add value through altering work routines, providing supportive management to the facilities teams and acting as a trusted advisor for the client, in turn offering expert advice and recommendations on service delivery.”

Holland added: “We’re now looking forward to further developing a tailored FM strategy and providing the highest quality of services for the university’s students, staff, visitors and guests alike.”

MITIE Group plc was originally awarded the contract at Durham University in 2010.

MITIE Group plc reports “strong core business performance” in half-yearly financials

In its half-yearly financial report for the six-month period ending 30 September 2014, MITIE Group plc has posted a headline revenue growth¹ of 4.8% (of which 3.9% was organic) and operating profits up 3.0% (2.2% organic) while the operating profit margin remains strong at 5.9%.

The company reports a headline cash conversion of 80.3%² (2013: 106.7%) and a statutory cash conversion of 128.6% (2013: 116.3%) above target KPI of 80%. Net debt as at 30 September 2014 is £233.8 million or 1.5x headline EBITDA³ (2013: £221.8 million, 1.5x headline EBITDA).

There has been “strong growth” of both headline basic EPS and dividend, which are up 5.1% and 6.1% respectively.

Strong organic growth in the Facilities Management business

• Sector-leading organic FM revenue growth of 6.3% and contract retention rate above 90%
• Rated as the top overall service provider* in the UK FM industry for the second year running
• Successful in retaining integrated FM contract with Vodafone for a further five years. Contract valued at £250 million
• Awarded a range of new FM contracts including those with Royal Cornwall Hospitals (valued at £90 million over seven years) and Heathrow Airport (valued at £40 million over three years)
• Successfully mobilised contract with the Home Office to run two immigration centres at Heathrow. Contract valued at £180 million over eight years
• Property Management division will enjoy a more buoyant second half supported by planned project works
• Challenging first half for the Healthcare division but confidence remains in terms of the long-term growth prospects in this market

Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE: CEO at MITIE Group plc

Exit from loss-making businesses complete this financial year

MITIE Group plc’s exit from its Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Construction business will be complete in this financial year. Losses of £6.9 million were incurred in this period. MITIE expects this to range between £11 million and £15 million for the full year (FY2014: £13.6 million).

The company has assessed all remaining risk on the design and build contracts left in its Asset Management business. Exceptional charges of £45.7 million were incurred (FY2014: £25.4 million) which cover all balance sheet exposures and all material expected future costs. Beyond these amounts, MITIE Group plc expects no further exceptional charges from either of these businesses.

Well positioned for the longer term

MITIE Group plc’s order book “remains healthy” and now stands at £8.5 billion (March 2014: £8.7 billion). 98% of 2014-2015 budgeted revenue has been secured (prior year: 99%) in addition to 72% of the 2015-2016 forecast revenue (prior year: 74%).

The bid pipeline has grown by 20% to £9.8 billion (March 2014: £8.2 billion). Continued investment is being made in the bidding, strategic sales and operational management capability across the group.

The company affirms that a “robust balance sheet and strong financial position” will support growth.

Commenting on the latest set of financials at MITIE Group plc, Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE – the company’s CEO – explained: “We have delivered a strong performance in our FM business during the first half of the year, and we expect to gain further positive momentum through the remainder of 2014. We have significantly de-risked our group by finalising the exit from our loss-making businesses. We’re now focused on investing in and maximising the long-term growth potential of our FM, Property Management and Healthcare businesses.”

McGregor-Smith concluded: “Our order book and sales pipeline are substantial. We’re in a good position to deliver growth and look ahead with confidence.”

References

¹Headline results exclude other items. Other items comprise exceptional charges in relation to design and build contracts in Energy Solutions of £45.7 million (2013: £nil), acquisition-related and integration costs of £0.6 million (2013: £2.6 million) and the amortisation of acquisition-related intangible assets of £5.1 million (2013: £5.6 million). They also include the results of the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Construction business, with revenue of £3.8 million (2013: £41.2 million) and a trading loss of £6.9 million (2013: £4.3 million loss).
²Headline cash conversion calculated on a rolling 12-month basis (excludes the cash effect of other items)
³12-month rolling EBITDA
*i-FM Brand Survey

MITIE Group plc and Mosaic launch new ex-offender mentorship programme

MITIE Group plc and Mosaic are collaborating on a new ex-offender mentorship programme that has been welcomed by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling.

The signing of an agreement between MITIE – the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company – and Mosaic (HRH The Prince of Wales’ mentoring charity) witnesses the dawn of a new partnership that will directly support ex-offenders.

The partnership will provide ex-offenders with important transferable skills, experience and mentorship through a series of workshops and training programmes that ultimately lead to a work placement within MITIE Group plc.

Taking place at HMP Isis, these workshops will concentrate on activities that help individuals to improve their skills and abilities in networking, presentation and communication and also build their confidence levels.

The programme is overseen by the MITIE Foundation, MITIE’s charitable arm. It builds on the MITIE Foundation’s Ready2Work scheme, an eight-week, on-the-job work experience programme that involves individuals working with MITIE or its clients and partners and which has already succeeded in placing more than 70% of candidates into employment.

Making a positive contribution to society

MITIE Group plc and Mosaic have launched a new ex-offender programme which has been welcomed by the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling

Commenting on the new programme, Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE – CEO of MITIE Group plc and trustee of the MITIE Foundation – explained: “The MITIE Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds such that they can join the world of work. We want to raise aspirations and unlock people’s true potential. We’re delighted to be able to support Mosaic’s efforts in helping those who wish to turn their back on previous criminal activity, return to the workplace and make a positive contribution to society at large.”

Jonathan Freeman, managing director of Mosaic, added: “The re-offending rate for short-term prisoners stands at around 60% yet the likelihood of re-offending can be cut by up to 50% if an offender leaves prison with secured accommodation and employment. Providing mentoring support to ex-offenders can make a significant contribution towards stemming the rising disproportionate number of Muslims in the prison system. I wish everyone involved with this latest project much success.”

Mosaic’s Young Ex-Offenders Mentoring Programme provides one-to-one mentoring support for those making the difficult transition from prison back to their communities. It provides focused support and mentoring opportunities to prisoners aged between 18 and 35 years old who are approaching the end of their custodial sentence.

In practice, Mosaic’s trained mentors meet prisoners three-to-six months before release to establish a long-lasting relationship which continues into the community integration phase. Mentors offer wide-ranging practical assistance, including helping prisoners to secure housing and employment. With these vital support structures in place, the likelihood of re-offending in the future is significantly reduced.

The programme involves a one-to-one mentoring relationship for 12 months, with an approximate commitment of one-to-two hours per month. Mosaic provides full training for mentors which runs over an entire weekend. Training is used both as a means of selection and as a way of imparting information.

Jeff Little OBE appointed as advisor to the Board at MITIE Total Security Management

Brigadier (Retd) Jeff Little OBE MBA CGIA FSyI FICPE has been appointed as an advisor to the Board for MITIE Group plc’s Total Security Management business.

For three years from December 2010, Jeff Little served as CEO of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and brings to MITIE Total Security Management (TSM) a vast array of experience in the fields of strategic security, resilience, training, systems and emergency planning.

A distinguished military career resulted in an OBE from Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of Little’s exemplary leadership skills during the third Balkan War which ran from 1991 until 2001.

In this new advisory role, Little will focus on strengthening MITIE’s critical security offering to existing major contractor clients within the defence, nuclear, utilities and data centre sectors.

Jeff Little OBE: strategic advisor to the Board at MITIE TSM

“I’ve always been impressed by MITIE’s security business,” explained Little. “It’s one of the only companies in the UK providing a service that genuinely integrates people, technology and specialist partners. I’m now very much looking forward to assisting the development of MITIE TSM’s offer and taking the MITIE way of thinking forward. Security services have become such an integral part of all businesses, so it’s vital that we continue to offer innovative solutions.”

Bob Forsyth: managing director at MITIE TSM

Bob Forsyth, managing director of MITIE TSM, added: “We’re always looking to add fresh and different perspectives to our strategic thinking and Jeff can provide this alongside his invaluable experience in one of our key sectors, namely critical security environments. Jeff’s contribution will be instrumental as we look to build further on our recent successes.”

MITIE Group plc acquires leading screening company Procius

MITIE Group plc, the strategic outsourcing organisation, has announced the acquisition of Procius – a leading UK pre-employment screening company – from the management team.

Procius is a specialist in pre-employment screening and vetting, and has particular expertise in the aviation and transportation sectors.

This acquisition will provide MITIE’s Total Security Management business with additional niche capability and support its growth as one of the UK’s largest providers of pre-employment screening, competency management and criminal records checking services.

Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE: MITIE Group plc’s CEO

The combined business provides solutions for over 3,000 customers across all sectors. The acquisition will add an operational hub in Basingstoke to MITIE’s well-established PeopleCert and UKCRBs businesses located at MiTec (MITIE’s technology hub in Northern Ireland).

Speaking about this latest development, Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE (MITIE Group plc’s CEO) commented: “I’m delighted to welcome the Procius employees to our rapidly growing screening and vetting business. This acquisition will significantly enhance the services that we offer to our customers, particularly in the aviation and transport sectors.”

MITIE TSM and SmartWater Technology unveil strategic crime-fighting partnership

MITIE’s Total Security Management business division has orchestrated a strategic partnership with SmartWater Technology, the company famed for its cutting-edge forensics-based security solutions.

In what is the first partnership of its kind to be realised within the security sector, the initiative will see MITIE’s Total Security Management (TSM) arm and SmartWater Technology working in unison across a number of different business areas in order to reduce clients’ risks in the data theft arena.

MITIE TSM will add SmartWater’s services and products to its mobile and void property security offerings, including the business division’s key holding and alarm response services. In addition, MITIE TSM personnel will undergo training with a view to creating an elite team of specialist forensic technicians within the mobile and technology services teams.

This addition will render MITIE TSM’s offering unique to the marketplace and, at the same time, afford additional support to both new and existing customers.

SmartWater Technology’s cutting-edge security solution will now benefit clients of MITIE TSM

SmartWater has proven to be the most powerful crime deterrent in the UK thanks to ongoing partnerships with police services. SmartWater Technology’s forensic products are deployed on a strategic basis to maximise the traceability of assets and the accountability of criminals. The use of SmartWater has been crucial in hundreds of criminal convictions, with the technology maintaining a 100% conviction rate.

Darren Gamage, managing director of technology services at MITIE TSM, said: “Part of our investment in innovation is forming high value strategic partnerships with new and effective product and service providers such as SmartWater Technology. The potential of introducing SmartWater into our customer base is huge. This is a pivotal opportunity for our key holding customers to better protect their estates and critical infrastructures.”

Phil Cleary, CEO of SmartWater Technology, added: “We believe that enhancing the skills of MITIE’s security officers such that they’re able to use SmartWater and deliver the deterrence strategy that we’ve created adds real value to the TSM business offer. This will ultimately be of benefit to MITIE’s clients. Indeed, we’re confident that our proven success will encourage even more customers to come on board.”

MITIE appoints security systems sales director for Total Security Management business

MITIE Group plc has appointed Christian Watts as security systems sales director for its Total Security Management business division.

Watts joins MITIE TSM from Reliance High-Tech where he spent eight years and was responsible for sales and business development. At MITIE, he will be responsible for building the growth strategy for security systems and developing new industry-leading offerings in systems integration.

Christian Watts: joining the team at MITIE TSM

“I’m delighted to be joining MITIE,” said Watts, “and I’m very excited about the opportunity to help drive the continued growth of the business’ security systems expertise. Aside from being a major player in strategic outsourcing, MITIE is really in touch with the convergence of the security industry and is at the forefront of delivering great security solutions while evolving to meet future customer needs.”

Bob Forsyth, managing director of MITIE TSM, said: “Our security systems capability is integral to our TSM ethos, so I’m delighted to welcome Christian to the team to develop and grow our systems integration portfolio.”

MITIE TSM expands hold baggage screening contract at Heathrow Airport

MITIE Group plc has extended its partnership to provide hold baggage screening (HBS) and immigration presentation services at Heathrow Airport Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The contract is worth approximately £6 million per annum, with Heathrow’s Terminal 2 now being added to MITIE’s security remit at the location.

Over 300 staff will be working under MITIE’s Total Security Management (TSM) business, which was first awarded the contract for Terminal 3 in 1997.

MITIE TSM: providing airport security solutions at Heathrow

In 2011, Terminals 1 and 4 were added and a three-year extension to the contract signed.

The immigration presentation services MITIE also delivers at Heathrow Airport will contribute an additional £700,000 each year, and see 50 more specialist staff working on site.

Bob Forsyth, managing director of MITIE’s TSM business, said: “I’m delighted to have extended our close working relationship with the Heathrow AOC and its members. Our specialist aviation team goes from strength to strength in the sector.”

Forsyth concluded: “We look forward to working with our clients at Heathrow and its partners to ensure airline and airport safety for what is one of the busiest airports in Europe.”

Security Institute members dominate IFSEC International ‘Top 40 Influencers’ table

The much anticipated list of Top 40 influencers in the security sector was announced at IFSEC International 2014, with over 30% of those included being Security Institute members.

The 40-strong list was compiled by http://www.IFSECGlobal.com to determine the most influential people in the global security sector. The eventual winners were all noted for the significant contributions they have made to their respective sectors.

The Security Institute is extremely proud of the 13 members who found a place in the final listing. All of them have made a significant personal contributions for the benefit of those working in security, in some cases over many years.

MITIE TSM’s md Bob Forsyth

Three of the Top Ten are members. This year’s Number One (Bob Forsyth, managing director at MITIE Total Security Management) is a member while The Security Institute’s chairman Emma Shaw CSyP finished second in the list.

The full list of Security Institute members included in the Top 40 is as follows:

• Bob Forsyth MSyI (managing director, MITIE Total Security Management)
• Emma Shaw MBA CSyP FSyl FCMI (chairman, The Security Institute and managing director, Esoteric)
• Mike Gillespie MSyI (director of cyber development, The Security Institute and managing director, Advent IM)
• Professor Martin Gill FSyI (director, Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International)
• Andy Williams FSyI CPP (head of security, Nomura and chairman, ASIS UK Chapter 208)
• Peter French MBE FSyI (managing director, SSR Personnel)
• James Willison MSyI (founder, Unified Security and vice-chairman, ASIS International European Convergence/Enterprise Security Risk Management Sub-Committee)
• Simon Whitehouse CSyP MSyI CPP PSP MIET MASC MIAPSC (group director, SGW Consulting Group)
• Dr Mark Button FSyI (professor of criminology, University of Portsmouth)
• Don Randall MBE FSyI (CISO, Bank of England)
• Richard Bell FSyI (commercial director, The Security Institute, strategic security planning and audit manager, Transport for London and Board advisor, Ten Intelligence)
• Tom Lapage-Norris MSyI (security manager – EMEA, Google)
• Allan Hildage FSyI (chairman, Association of Security Consultants and CEO, Griffin Security Group)

Commenting on the list, The Security Institute’s managing director David Thorp said: “We congratulate all of these members on the incredible contribution they make to the security sector, and on receiving this recognition from their peers via http://www.IFSECGlobal.com”

Thorp added: “The fact that almost one third of the Top 40 are members of The Security Institute underlines why we are the number one membership organisation for security professionals in the UK. It’s great to see that Chartered Security Professionals are also represented, in turn demonstrating that ‘The Gold Standard’ for security professionalism continues to make its mark.”

About The Security Institute

The Security Institute is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1999 for the benefit of individuals working in the security sector.

The organisation promotes the art and science of security management and works to drive standards, educate and Best Practice across the security sector (a sector responsible for the safety of much of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure).

The Institute is responsible for managing and operating the Register of Chartered Security Professionals on behalf of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals. In conjunction with the Registration Authority, The Security Institute sets standards, provides quality control, appointment and management of licensees and admitted registrants.

Since the launch of the Register, The Security Institute has processed over 100 applications. There are currently 71 Chartered Security Professionals.

About The Register of Chartered Security Professionals

The Register of Chartered Security Professionals was launched on 7 June 2011. Established under Royal Charter by The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, the Register itself endorses the main aim of the Company which is “to promote, support and encourage standards of excellence, integrity and honourable practice in conducting the profession of security practitioners, and to aid societies and other organisations connected to such profession.”