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 appoints Lisa Thomas as director of vetting services

Mitie, the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company, has appointed Lisa Thomas as its director of vetting services.

The appointment follows Mitie’s acquisition of Procius, a specialist in pre-employment screening and vetting for the aviation and transport industries.

Thomas, who has previously held senior Human Resources (HR) roles within Mitie, will focus on growing Procius within the aviation and general sectors. Thomas will also be responsible for UKCRBs, a Mitie-owned vetting organisation with expertise in Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Disclosure Scotland background checks.

Lisa Thomas: new role at Mitie

Speaking about her new role, Thomas commented: “This is a really exciting opportunity for me. I’m looking forward to growing Mitie’s vetting services and bringing a comprehensive employee screening and vetting service to our clients. We already have sector specialism in the aviation sector and I plan to mirror this for all sectors.”

Darren Gamage, managing director of technology services at Mitie Total Security Management, added: “As our employee screening and vetting business grows it’s critical that we have the right person leading the businesses. With Lisa’s strong HR background I know that she will be a great asset. Lisa brings an in-depth understanding of both the HR decision-maker and employee screening to this role.”

Mitie unveils online crime reporting partnership with Facewatch

FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company Mitie has announced a strategic partnership with Facewatch, the online crime reporting and networking service.

Facewatch is a secure, cloud-based platform that enables business users, the public and the police to report low-level crime with CCTV evidence and to share offender images and intelligence with other businesses within secure groups.

Facewatch provides tools to develop intelligence about specific individuals and affords advanced statistics enabling businesses and the police service to drive down crime.

The Facewatch system holds the police approved Secured by Design accreditation and is fully accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as a means of accessing digital case files within UK Courts of Law. Facewatch is accessible from any Internet-connected device.

Mitie has forged an online crime reporting partnership with Facewatch

This new partnership will see Mitie take control of the entire crime reporting process on behalf of its customers.

Using Mitec, Mitie’s hi-tech security hub, analysts will be able to review CCTV footage, prepare incident reports and develop evidential packs in line with police service and CPS guidelines so these can be used to support prosecutions.

Crime reporting and threat analysis

Darren Gamage, managing director of technology services at Mitie’s Total Security Management business, said: “Working with Facewatch gives us an exciting opportunity to enhance our crime reporting and threat analysis service for our customers. Our analysts in Mitec will work with the various police forces in efficient crime reporting, allowing us to better manage risk and document incidents.”

Gamage added: “We will also be able to share data across our clients’ estates where we’re already monitoring their systems or providing a physical security presence.”

Simon Gordon, chairman of Facewatch, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with Mitie on this launch. Delivering an instant and secure reporting solution to offences such as shoplifting, personal theft and vandalism is key to our partnership. We are focused on improving the quality of crime reports sent to the police from businesses, assisting in developing police efficiencies and reducing crime.”

The Facewatch system now contains around 18,000 images and logs over 8,000 business premises. The concept was kick-started back in March 2010.

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 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 appoints retail specialist for Total Security Management business

FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company MITIE has appointed Peter Egan as a sector specialist to head up the retail and logistics sector for its Total Security Management business.

MITIE’s retail and logistics sector will deliver services to retail, leisure, shopping centre and logistics and supply chain customers via a comprehensive end-to-end process. This integrates security across the lifecycle of goods, from dispatch through to delivery and profit protection through to customer service.

Peter Egan joined MITIE’s Total Security Management (TSM) business seven years ago as account director at one of the UK’s leading High Street retailers. Egan’s knowledge and experience in the industry have been instrumental in delivering service-led security for several national retail and logistics clients.

Peter Egan: sector director for retail at MITIE TSM

In his role as sector director, Egan has a national remit and is tasked with creating sustainable methods for technology risk mitigation.

Egan will also work with a specialist management team which has full operational management of the retail and logistics portfolio from service delivery through to engagement with the wider stakeholder community.

Benefits of risk profiling

“My focus will be on developing our offering for clients from retail, leisure and logistics environments,” explained Egan, “in order to highlight the benefits of industry leading people, technology and risk profiling within their sectors. MITIE’s sector-focused approach means our solutions are truly tailored to our clients’ specific needs and environments.”

Jason Towse, managing director of people services for MITIE’s TSM business, added: “To deliver comprehensive services we have to be equipped to support the multi-layer needs of our market. Our retail sector-focused approach led by Peter will help counter the increasing reputational and crime risk for some of the country’s largest organisations.”

MITIE awarded security contract with BAE Systems

MITIE has been awarded a prestigious three-year security contract with BAE Systems, the global defence, aerospace and security company.

The contract will see MITIE working with the Workplace Services team within BAE Systems’ Real Estate Solutions Division, whose responsibilities include providing security services to approximately 7,000 employees on 22 key sites across the UK.

MITIE will be responsible for physical security, ensuring all needs are met from incident management through to security guarding and systems monitoring.

MITIE was awarded the contract because of its technology-led approach based on MiTec (its advanced technology centre which provides remote security), its ability to operate efficiently through its MiTSM and eLearning platforms and also the company’s specialist knowledge of the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and defence sector.

Bob Forsyth: managing director at MITIE TSM

Bob Forsyth, managing director of MITIE’s Total Security Management (TSM) business, commented: “It’s exciting to be working with like-minded clients such as BAE Systems who are embracing the integrated approach to security. We’re really looking forward to developing our partnership over the next three years.”

Colin Efford, head of delivery for Workplace Services at BAE Systems, added: “We were really impressed with MITIE’s joined-up thinking to technology and the ‘one team’ ethos. MITIE’s systems will give us true visibility of the contract, enabling us to reduce costs and take an output specification approach.”