FM solutions provider Mitie recognised as top employer

The 2022 Top Employers have just been announced and Mitie has been recognised as one of the UK’s Top Employers for the fourth year running. Being certified as a Top Employer showcases Mitie’s “dedication to a better world of work” through excellent Human Resources (HR) policies and people practices. This includes the company’s recent (and significant) investment in its HR technology and processes.

A key highlight of Mitie’s entry was its ‘Count Me In’ learning programme aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, which was selected by the Top Employers Institute for use in its Best Practice Report 2022. The report showcases exemplary diversity and inclusion practises.

The Top Employers Institute programme certifies organisations based on the participation and results of its HR Best Practices Survey. The survey covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Well-Being and Diversity and Inclusion (and more).

Jasmine Hudson, Group HR director at Mitie, said: “Our people are what make our business exceptional, so we’re incredibly proud to see Mitie named as one of the UK’s Top Employers for the fourth year in succession. We’re committed to ensuring that Mitie is a great place to work and will continue to invest in how we hire, develop, reward and engage our people so that we’re a leading UK business.”

David Plink, CEO at the Top Employers Institute, commented: “Reflecting on the demanding year that has, like the year before it, impacted organisations across the world, Mitie has continued to show that it prioritises maintaining excellent people practices in the workplace. The business continues to meet the challenges of the changing world of work, while working tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of its workforce. We’re pleased to celebrate and applaud the organisations that have been certified as Top Employers in their respective countries this year.”

Global authority

The Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in people practices. The organisation helps to accelerate these practices to “enrich the world of work”. Through the Top Employers Institute Certification Programme, participating companies can be validated, certified and recognised as an employer of choice.

Established over 30 years ago, the Top Employers Institute has certified over 1,857 organisations in 123 countries/regions. These certified Top Employers positively impact the lives of over eight million employees globally.

Founded back in 1987, Mitie’s job is to look after those places where Britain works. The Group offer a range of services to central Government and defence sector customers, communities (healthcare, education and local authorities), technical services (engineering services, energy, water and real sstate services) and business services (security, cleaning and office services) to private sector clients in financial services, manufacturing, transport, retail and telecoms and, increasingly, to the public sector. 

Mitie’s Specialist Services (care and custody, landscapes and waste management) division serves both the public and private sector in these niche businesses. 

Mitie acquired Interserve’s FM business in December 2020 and now employs 75,000 members of staff. The business is a champion of the ‘Front Line Heroes’ who have kept Britain working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

*Further information is available online at www.mitie.com

Mitie research finds FM to be “natural career match” for ex-military personnel

According to research conducted by Mitie, over two-thirds (70%) of individuals who have served in the military and moved into facilities management (FM) report that FM roles are a good match for the skills they developed in the Armed Forces, while more than three-quarters (77%, in fact) of respondents said that they would recommend the sector to other Armed Forces leavers.

Mitie conducted anonymous surveys involving 191 former servicemen and women currently working in the FM space and 122 managers of Armed Forces veterans in the sector. The subsequent report, entitled ‘Mobilising Veterans in the Facilities Management Industry’, shows that both veterans and managers in the FM world agree the sector is something of a natural match for former servicemen and women.

With over 20,000 veterans leaving the Armed Forces every year to join the civilian workplace, in fact, the detailed 14-page report looks at how the FM industry can better support those Armed Forces leavers.

The research found that many of the key skills developed in the military (among them reliability, the ability to perform under pressure and professionalism) are a strong match for those most needed in the FM sector. This is also the view of most managers surveyed, with four-in-five (84%) stating that veterans are likely to have the skills most urgently needed in the FM industry.

Despite having the key skills needed to help them succeed in their FM careers, many ex-servicemen and women are concerned that their lack of technical FM knowledge may limit their career opportunities. However, while managers noted the importance of these skills, they should not be seen as a barrier, with over half (53%) of all respondents suggesting that they would like to see employers offering more role-specific training to support ex-Armed Forces employees.

Need for guidance

Although the report finds that a career in FM is a good fit for veterans, more than a quarter (27%) of those former servicemen and women surveyed felt unprepared and in need of guidance when looking to join the civilian workplace. 50% of them said that it was a challenge to find work after leaving the military, with a lack of job-seeking skills, such as CV writing, and not understanding which jobs would best suit their military experience being highlighted as key barriers.

The report also pinpoints how important the Armed Forces community is in providing support to men and women recently leaving their military service. A third (29%) of veterans found their FM roles via a recommendation from someone they knew in the sector. Meanwhile, around one fifth of veterans said that creating employee networks (21%) and providing mentors (18%) are crucial ways in which employers can help smooth the transition to civilian life.

Mitie is using the findings of this report to guide its own initiatives designed to help ex-servicemen and women transition to civilian life and build their career in FM. This will support the organisation’s commitment that at least 2.3% of its employees will have a military background by 2025. That’s 0.5% above the average for the UK population.

Long-term career opportunities

Charles Antelme DSO, managing director for the commercial and Government sectors at Mitie, explained: “We’re delighted to see this report confirm that the FM sector is a natural choice for many Armed Forces leavers, offering ex-servicemen and women the chance to use the skills they’ve developed throughout their military career, as well as providing them with long-term career opportunities. With their professionalism, reliability and ability to perform under pressure, colleagues with a military background are a great fit for the FM sector.”

Antelme went on to state: “However, with many veterans leaving the Armed Forces unsure as to which roles best match their skills, there’s a huge opportunity here for our industry. By offering the right support and guidance, we can help more former servicemen and women kick-start their careers in the FM sector.”

The report builds on Mitie’s commitment to support the Armed Forces and to encourage more former military personnel to join the FM industry. Mitie has already launched a number of initiatives to help ex-military personnel find work in the FM industry. These include a dedicated Armed Forces Career Portal and its specialist Ready2Work ‘Military’ programme, giving veterans a chance to experience a placement in the FM sector.

Through its employee network, the Mitie Military, the company is also supporting its large community for veterans and reservists by offering a forum in which individuals can share experiences with their colleagues.

Securitas appoints experienced sales director for electronic security division

Tom Clarke has been appointed to head up sales and marketing operations for the specialist electronic security division of Securitas UK. With over 15 years’ industry experience under his belt, and having occupied senior roles at companies including Mitie, Contract Fire and Security and Reliance High-Tech, Clarke brings a wealth of electronic sales expertise to Securitas.

In his new role, Clarke takes on the important task of leading on sales development for Securitas UK’s dedicated electronic security function, which includes overseeing the business development, account management and marketing teams.

Clarke has extensive knowledge of designing security solutions and managing relationships with national and European clients, particularly so within the corporate sector, where the wider benefits of security solutions such as building usage and occupancy management play a significant part. He’s also an authority when it comes to working in secure environments, among them defence organisations, immigration centres and prisons.

• 

On joining Securitas, Clarke stated: “I’m really excited to join such a well-established and highly reputable global security organisation. We see a fantastic opportunity to grow Securitas’ electronic security offer in the UK, sharing ideas with colleagues and constantly improving our solutions. With a highly experienced team and a global brand behind us, we’re committed to leading the way in the industry as a world class security technology partner for our clients.”

Commenting on Clarke’s appointment, Arthur Agnew (head of electronic security at Securitas UK) said: “This is a key appointment for the electronic security division at a crucial time as we push forward with our primary objective of doubling sales by 2023. With a strong background in electronic security sales and marketing, Tom’s addition to the business will help us to accelerate our growth and improve the efficiency of our sales department.”

Mitie appointed to Government agreement for community COVID testing sites

FM solutions specialist Mitie has been named as a supplier on the Crown Commercial Service agreement for COVID community testing sites. The appointment enhances Mitie’s position as a key supporter of testing services which are a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat the Coronavirus.

The agreement covers new COVID test sites to be opened as needed by local authorities for short periods (of up to 12 weeks). Mitie will potentially offer test site management and support services to local authorities across 11 regions: Yorkshire and Humber, the North West, the North East, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, the South West, the South East and London, with an option to add Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to the mix.

Mitie will be providing security officers, registration assistants, processing operatives and test assistants as well as cleaning services at the sites along with any additional services required by the local authorities involved. With testing central to the UK’s Coronavirus recovery strategy, Mitie will continue to play a key part in supporting its delivery.

• 

Mitie has been supporting the country directly in its COVID-19 response since the beginning of the pandemic through community testing centres, the first of which opened in Inverness on 25 April last year, and via the provision of essential services for hospitals, including the Nightingale Hospital in London’s Docklands and the Ysbyty Calon y Ddraig – the Dragon’s Heart Hospital – in Cardiff. 

More widely, Mitie now operates over 150 testing sites for public and private sector clients, while the company’s staff members have continued to provide key services at critical sites such as ports and airports right across the country.

Simon Venn, chief Government and strategy officer at Mitie, said: “I’m delighted to be extending our vital work at the heart of the UK’s Coronavirus response to support local communities with their testing programmes. I’m proud of the commitment of our Mitie colleagues in delivering these critical services. They truly are front line heroes. We continue to play our part in keeping the country running and also supporting its recovery.”

Mitie retains integrated facilities management contract with RWE npower

Mitie, the FTSE 250-listed facilities management company, has extended its relationship with leading energy concern RWE npower.

The renewed multi-million pound contract – which has been signed for a three-year term with a further potential two-year extension period – will see Mitie continue to provide integrated facilities management (FM) services across RWE npower’s UK estate comprising office buildings and power stations.

Mitie provides a number of services for RWE npower including security, cleaning, waste management, reprographics, space planning, mechanical and electrical maintenance, pest control, Post Room management and drink and snack vending.

The FM provider has been working with RWE npower since 1998 and currently employs 300 people on the contract.

Phil Holland, managing director of Mitie’s Integrated FM business, commented: “We’re delighted to be extending our relationship with RWE npower and are passionate about delivering a first-class FM service for the client. Our role is to be RWE npower’s long-term strategic workplace partner, adding value beyond day-to-day operations and introducing technology that makes our service more efficient and effective.”

Julian Pugh, head of real estate and workplace at RWE npower, added: “We’re excited about the continued partnership with Mitie. The new agreement offers us a number of innovative tools to help manage the contract and, importantly, identifies many new opportunities allowing us to deliver a more effective and efficient FM service for our business across what is a complex estate.”

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.

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 awarded facilities management contract by BBC Worldwide

FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company MITIE has just been awarded the prestigious facilities management (FM) contract with BBC Worldwide. The contract will run for a three-year period with provision for an extension.

MITIE will now deliver the full range of FM services including security, Front of House services, maintenance and repairs, cleaning and catering for BBC Worldwide’s new offices at Television Centre in London’s White City when they open next year.

Speaking about the new contract, Andreas Arnold (director of strategic projects for BBC Worldwide) explained: “MITIE was chosen as our FM partner due to the company’s creative approach, the cultural fit with our own business and the demonstrated use of technology to improve service delivery.”

Indeed, MITIE boasts extensive experience in the media sector, with its clients already including well-known broadcasters Channel 4, Universal Music and Sky.

MITIE has won a prestigious FM contract with the BBC

Peter Mosley, managing director at MITIE’s Technical Facilities Management business, stated: “This is a prestigious contract to win. We’re very proud to be partnering with an organisation which has such an exceptional reputation around the world. This contract really underlines our expertise in the media sector, and is a fantastic example of a contractor and client working closely together to provide the best solution possible.”

The iconic BBC Television Centre is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment, with the site being redeveloped into a mix of commercial spaces including a new 100,000 sq ft headquarters for BBC Worldwide in addition to private accommodation.