The magazine for the employees and clients of Northern Security
The
Watch
Spring 2015
Welcome!
Welcome to our first issue of The Watch for 2015 and with it the
opportunity for you to keep up-to-date with activities across the Company.
As recently highlighted in our successful Investors in People audit, The Watch is an
integral part of our employee communications and we welcome your feedback on
ways to improve it and what you would like to see featured in this publication.
The team has been strengthened with a number of new members of staff from
office administrators to operations support managers as we strive to both stay
ahead of the competition, and offer our customers the best possible levels of service
and security expertise.
Our quality process, strong management team and hard-working members of staff,
mean we are in an extremely strong position to benefit from recent changes in the
security industry and you can read later about our plans for growth
over the next three years. Not only will they help ensure our
continued success but they will open up a number of
significant career opportunities for current employees to
progress through the ranks.
I am also extremely excited to announce the launch
of The Employee Gateway – a new online portal for
communication, information, learning and news.
We have been working hard behind the scenes
on a range of new online software to streamline
systems and once launched, the new system will
allow us all to work more efficiently.
I hope you enjoy this issue of The Watch and
once again, we welcome your feedback for
continuous improvement going forward.
PaulHopper
Managing Director, Northern Security
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The Watch, Spring 2015
Keeping an Eye on Expansion as
Northern Security Targets Growth Potential
Northern Security’s Managing Director, Paul Hopper has been putting the building
blocks in place to create a strategy for sustained long-term growth.
Paul has a three-year plan for business expansion with assistance
from Growth Accelerator; Paul is aiming to double the size of the
business in this time frame.
The Growth Accelerator is part of the government’s Business Growth
Service and aims to provide assistance to establish businesses looking
to enter their next growth phase and have the potential and
determination to get there. The scheme’s growth specialists will help
mentor and facilitate a successful strategy.
Organic Growth
Paul believes sustainable expansion will come from organic growth
alongside potential business acquisitions which have become much
more feasible due to new licensing regulations across the security
industry.
“Recent changes to regulations across the security industry around
licensing of providers have created opportunities for the Company
to push forward,” Paul explained. “These changes mean only the
most robust businesses will move forward and that provides us with
the opportunity to enter new regions”.
Growth Accelerator
He continued, “The Growth Accelerator scheme will not only
provide us with mentoring, advice and workshops, but there will
also be effective management and leadership training to ensure we
have a really strong foundation in place to move the business
forward”.
Paul added, “Our quality process, strong management team and
hard-working members of staff mean we are in an extremely strong
position to expand. There will be investment in the management team
and in the future workforce and as we grow there will be career
opportunities for current staff to progress through the ranks. It’s great
news for everyone.”
The Comprehensive Package
One of Northern Security’s key strengths is that it offers a total
solution of CCTV, intruder alarms systems, access control systems,
keyholding, both static and mobile guarding, and fire systems.
Customers are finding this gives them an efficient and hassle-free
solution – backed up by excellent quality process and customer service.
effective management
and leadership training
will ensure we have a
really strong foundation
for growth
Security Team Shortlisted for Community Award
A team of security officers working at the University
of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street campus were selected as
a finalist in the Student Union’s Success Awards. ■
Security Officers Kim Green, George Scott, Dianne
Little and Jim Shearer were selected for these awards
which were presented at the Rheged Centre near
Penrith. They had been shortlisted for the Community
Award – for recognising their positive contribution to
the student experience. ■ “This is a great achievement
for the team at Fusehill Street,” said Operations
Manager, Alan Byers. He continued “The finalists are
selected by the students themselves - so it’s an
important recognition of just how well our team
integrates seamlessly into student life on the campus
and how much the students value our services”.
Northern Security Limited 3
Tony Foord
Malcolm Rogers
New Operations Support Managers
Northern Security has recently appointed two Operations Support Managers in a bid to provide
another layer of provision in the management structure and to back-up the operations team.
The new Support Managers help manage the daily aspects of
security contracts and oversee mobile patrols, keyholding and
alarm response. The move will help the Company respond even
more quickly to any incidents as well as increase service levels for
customers.
Both Tony Foord, who is based at Carlisle, and Middlesbroughbased Malcolm Rogers, were previously employed in the Armed
Forces. They also have vast experience of the security industry.
Having served around the world for more than two decades in the
Army, 46-year-old Tony Foord also worked in the Middle East. The
married father-of-four, who was born and bred in Carlisle, now
feels very much at home having returned to the city and taken on
the role of Operations Support Manager for that area.
Aged just 17 when he joined the King’s Own Royal Border
Regiment, he was initially an infantryman, but in 2003, Tony
became a firearms instructor and spent time at the Army’s main
training schools at Sandhurst in Berkshire and Brecon, Powys.
Tony commented, “I spent 24 years in the Army. When I finally left,
I went to work for a private security company in the Middle East”.
This new role was split between Basra in southern Iraq and
Baghdad, in the north of the country. Although he enjoyed the
work, it meant a lot of time away from his family.
In July last year when the security contract was up for renewal, he
decided upon a return to the UK and sought a more local security
role. Tony looked at a few security companies but admitted the
research he carried out showed Northern Security to be "head
and shoulders above the rest."
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The Watch, Spring 2015
Tony’s new position involves a wide range of different tasks and
includes dealing with customers, training staff and assisting
Operations Manager, Alan Byers with day-to-day contracts.
“Everybody has been really helpful, welcoming and friendly. When
I started, lots of people took the time to show me how the systems
work and what the processes were,” said Tony.
“I think Northern Security go the extra mile to provide a service
that a customer wants and is happy with. We also pride ourselves
on working with any aspects of contracts that customers aren't
quite happy with and deal with those quickly and put things right
so they get the service they expect,” he added.
Malcolm Rogers was brought up in Middlesbrough. After joining
the RAF aged 16, he spent 25 years as an administrator, with
postings across the globe, including the Gulf and the Falkland Islands.
On leaving the RAF, Malcolm went to work for Chubb and served
in a number of prominent roles. After spells at two local
companies, he finally joined Northern Security in May 2014 as a
Mobile Supervisor, being promoted to his position as Operations
Support Manager in November.
“The mobile side of the business is my primary responsibility looking after staff and drivers,” said Malcolm. He also has
responsibility for keyholding and mobile patrols, officer welfare,
KPIs, appraisals and rostering.
“Coming from a big national company like Chubb, I didn't realise
Northern Security would be as ‘solid’ as they are. I have been
impressed with the support that I have had from Senior Managers.
The employees are willing to get ‘stuck in’ and when extra work
comes along, they are all happy to take it on,” he added.
Northern Security’s
New SHEQ Manager
Brings ‘Quality’ In-House
Northern Security has appointed a new dedicated manager to oversee Safety,
Health, Environmental and Quality Processes.
By appointing Lyn Skelton in the new role, Northern Security has brought this key function back in-house. Lyn
will be responsible for Health & Safety auditing and for developing and improving quality management systems.
She will also assist with Risk Assessments, the Internal Company Audits, and ensure the Company complies with
all the rigorous industry standards it is governed by, as well as highlighting any areas for improvement.
Human Resources Manager, Lynn Smith said, “We welcome Lyn to this new dynamic position which is pivotal in
maintaining and improving the high standards to which we deliver our security services. She will help create
engaging safety campaigns to help reduce any avoidable incidents and accidents, as well as providing toolbox
talks and providing support to staff.”
“Quality runs throughout our business. Ensuring we continue to meet British standards by following all
processes correctly and providing the highest level of service to our customers is vital” added MD Paul Hopper.
Northern Security Limited 5
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The Watch, Spring 2015
Safer Students
are Happier Students
The U-Student Group offers high quality, modern and vibrant
student accommodation at Carlisle, Newcastle and Sunderland
Universities, and Northern Security is proud to be a key part of the
team to deliver a safe and friendly environment across all three sites.
The three sites currently provide around 1,000 rooms with U-Student aiming to
quadruple that figure with future facilities across Scotland and northern England.
Northern Security has been a partner from the Company’s inception and first
provided on-site support in 2010.
The Group has taken a pragmatic approach to university accommodation and
prides itself in offering a range of modern, practical facilities alongside first-class,
en-suite accommodation and a range of retail, catering and laundry facilities.
Thanks to Northern Security at the heart of each site, there is a safe and secure
environment with round-the-clock security monitoring and mobile support from
our officers.
“Providing a safe, secure environment is a key aspect of the U-Student ethos. It’s
essential that students feel at ease in our modern surroundings and we’ve got a
great working relationship with Northern Security to ensure the best possible
service. Not only do the security guards provide a 24/7 presence to ensure a swift
reaction to any incidents on-site, they also undertake a student-facing role and
become a first point of contact when our site managers aren’t present,” explained
U-Student Group Operations Manager, Mike Norris.
“We have a strong relationship built on trust and customer service. The security
presence gives students confidence in the facilities and also helps to address
secondary issues around noise and behaviour,” he added.
The contract is a prestigious one for the Company and a prime example of the
added value its officers so often deliver. Northern Security Operations Director,
Paul Heeran explained, “Alongside the standard provision of CCTV monitoring and
regular security patrols to ensure a safe and secure student environment, our security
officers also undertake additional roles to support the site managers. That flexibility
and ability to adapt to a customer-facing role is what sets Northern Security apart.”
Northern Security Limited 7
IIP Recognition
Drives Employee
Engagement
Northern Security has retained its prestigious Investor in
People status after a recent audit found the Company met
the required high standards of excellence.
Investors in People is a management framework for high
performance through people. The prestigious accreditation
is recognised worldwide as a mark of excellence.
Northern Security continually strives to improve employee
engagement using a number of communication platforms,
including The Watch. It also actively promotes staff feedback
to develop even further and embraces change to help
improve the working environment and drive performance.
Lynn Smith, Finance and HR Manager, gave the following
statement on Northern Security's latest Investors in People
assessment: “Once again, Northern Security has been reaccredited by Investors in People and while this is a reflection
on the Company and its employees as a whole, we would
like to take this opportunity to thank those of you, who
were randomly selected by our auditor, for participating.
"Investors in People is an important and valuable tool for
us as a company as it is conducted by external assessors. This
gives the management team here at Northern Security an
independent and unbiased view of the thoughts and
perspectives of our employees on what it is like to work for
the Company. Combined with the annual survey results, this
provides a clear indication of how our employees consider
the Company and suggestions for initiatives we could
introduce that would improve the working experience.
“This year in particular, the survey and
Investors in People assessment highlighted
the positive impact that introducing
fortnightly rotas would have, and as a result
this has already been implemented.”
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The Watch, Spring 2015
Fire Award sees
Northern Security
Lead the Region
In its drive to continually lead security provision,
Northern Security has become one of very
few companies in Cumbria to have achieved
official accreditation to install, commission and
maintain fire equipment, creating valuable
opportunities to win a number of important
new contracts.
After a series of rigorous inspections, Northern Security was
awarded British Approval for Fire Equipment (BAFE) status
enabling it to not only install fire detection systems, but also
to maintain them to the exceptional standards demanded by
public bodies.
This move opens up opportunities for the Company to tender
for contracts with key government agencies, the NHS and
organisations, such as universities and care homes, where there
is a residential element.
The Total Security Package
In addition to the BAFE achievement, Northern Security also
offers security guarding, mobile patrols, intruder alarm, access
control and CCTV installation, making it one of the only
companies in Cumbria offering the expertise and accreditation
for such a range of services.
The Company believes the benefits will also transfer to local
businesses, many of which require certified fire and intruder
systems to satisfy insurance and landlord demands.
“The BAFE accreditation is of huge significance to Northern
Security and uniquely places us as one of the only businesses
in the region that can offer such a comprehensive range of high
quality services,” explained Sales Director, Peter Smith.
“The new accreditation allows us to design, install and maintain
fire systems to the necessary standards required by government
organisations and residential facilities. It’s another service we can
offer our customers and a move which certainly places us in a
unique position locally,” he added.
New Gateways
to Leading Edge
Presence Online
Exciting developments are in the pipeline with two new
online portals being launched to consolidate document
control, communicate with staff and undertake live audits.
Over the last few months, Northern Security’s Head
Office team has been hard at work with developers to
convert the current company operating systems into a
new user-friendly, fully functional online intranet system
called the ‘Northern Gateway’.
The new gateway will connect all avenues of the business
into a single portal which is accessible by every member
of office staff from any computer, eradicating the problem
of some users finding it difficult to work while hotdesking. This makes the system that much more available
for everyone.
The Northern Gateway also has a sister site for employees
called the ‘Employee Gateway’. This is designed to
reduce paperwork and keep everyone connected with
much more ease.
From this new site, staff are able to request holidays,
submit uniform requests and complete online training, as
well as communicating more efficiently with everyone. This
is especially relevant to our guards who are working on
the ground.
A Modern
Image with
Fresh, New
Look Uniforms
Positive public perception and a professional
company image have always been top priorities
for Northern Security. The Company has recently
introduced a new-look uniform that will ensure
security officers and office staff portray a smart,
proficient and confident appearance. ■ Grey
shirts, jumpers and trousers along with newlystyled ties are complemented by smarter jackets
and summer hi-vis wear. Some clients require a
different take on the classic security officer look
and so Northern Security have also introduced
a new tailored corporate jacket for this purpose.
■ It was an indepth process to get the new look
right for the Company, and many hours were
spent working closely with local supplier, Liberty
Leisure Wear, developing the new higher quality
uniform, until Northern Security Managing
Director, Paul Hopper was satisfied with the new
image. ■ Paul commented, “Black and white has
become very dated and we wanted something
more modern and in keeping with the Company
moving forward. This new approach remains
professional, yet the branding is fresh.”
Northern Vehicle Hire
Fleet Grows as New
Vehicles Hit the Road
Following its successful launch back
in 2013, Northern Vehicle Hire continues
to add to its fleet with a number of new
specialist vehicles hitting the road this month.
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The Watch, Spring 2015
The Carlisle-based firm that is part of the trusted Northern
Security group, has further expanded with the addition of
new Tippers and Luton box vans as it continues to offer a
bespoke service to local businesses and private customers,
which many national companies are simply unable to meet.
Carlisle Office Manager, Emma Goodwin said: “We’ve
seen ever-greater demand for both Tippers and Luton box
vans which is why we have added more of them to the
fleet, filling a significant gap in the local market for
specialist commercial vehicles.”
For further information on the Northern Vehicle Hire
fleet, availability and a competitive quote simply call
01228 409 555 or visit www.nvhire.com
Rainbow
Run for Staff Members
August 2014 saw Head Office staffers Emma
Goodwin, Sarah Caulfield and Sarah Wright
complete Carlisle’s first Colour Run in aid of
important local charity ‘Hospice At Home’.
The event was well supported, with hundreds of runners
showing up to take part in the run round Hammonds Pond.
The team covered 5km, getting showered in paint at each
kilometre passing point. Donning white T-shirts, sweatbands
and tutus, the end result saw the team awash from head to
toe with a rainbow of colour, smiling, and in need of a rest!
Sales Administrator, Sarah Wright said, “It was so much fun,
I can’t wait to do it again! The paint was a powder mixture
so everything went quite foggy as we ran through the colour
stations but the end result was worth it!”
With all runners dressed in white at the start of the run,
the powder paints meant all participants were the most
colourful and vibrant part of the city that afternoon and
the team are now looking ahead to the Carlisle’s next
Colour Run event in May 2015.
Backing
the FA...
March 2015 saw Northern Security approached by
longstanding client, Middlesbrough Football Club,
on behalf of the Football Association to provide
static guarding for England and Germany’s Under
21 players.
The arrangement was in preparation for a match at the Riverside
Stadium in Middlesbrough on Monday the 30 March. The two
teams, who were using the facilities available at the Stadium on
the weekend prior to the match, were able to concentrate on
training undisturbed thanks to the support of Northern Security.
The two national teams went on to play a hard-fought match,
finishing with a 3-2 victory for England. The English team featured
Middlesbrough players Patrick Bamford and Ben Gibson.
Operations Director, Paul Heeran said, “We are very proud of the
work we do for Middlesbrough Football Club on a regular basis,
with the added occasional bonus of getting the opportunity to
assist with special events like these. Our staff always rise to these
occasions - just like the our lads in the Under 21’s team did on the
night against Germany.“
He continued, “I have to say that it helps that we are not
strangers to providing cover for major high profile events.
During the Olympics in 2012, we were called upon to help ensure
Great Britain and their opposing teams could train and prepare
in the peaceful and secure surroundings at Middlesbrough FC’s
training ground in Hurworth, and of course the Riverside
Stadium itself.”
Northern Security Limited 11
New Staff Strengthen the Team
Northern Security have made a number of new additions to the office teams at both Carlisle
and Middlesbrough which has resulted in daily office duties running even more smoothly.
Cody Barker
Kylie Hodgson
Michaela Morgan
Cody Barker, from Carlisle joined
Northern Security in June last year in the
role of Apprentice Office Administrator.
She came to the Company straight from
Sixth Form and is currently undertaking
a Business Apprenticeship.
Many will already know Kylie Hodgson.
She’s now on her second stint at
Northern Security. Kylie was initially
employed by the Company for three
years, and then returned in late 2014
after taking a year out. As Office
Administrator, her job includes liaison
with the operations team and she also
acts as point of contact for the Northern
Security officers.
Michaela started work at Northern
Security's Middlesbrough office earlier
this year in the position of Operations
Administrator. Michaela has a
background in accounts and payroll
administration, and had previously
been on maternity leave before joining
Northern Security.
In her ‘front of house’ role, her day-today jobs include manning Reception
and answering telephones. She also
helps out with receiving alarm calls,
operations duties and other daily tasks
around the office.
“It is a really good company to work
for. I like the people and it is good to
have a working relationship. The
company is really professional and is
quick to respond if something
happens.” Cody added, "We are all
focused on our customers and providing
the best possible service to them.”
“It is very nice and refreshing to be
back,” said Kylie. “I love everybody that I
work with. It is like a big happy family to
me and a great place to work. You know
that if you need to speak to anybody
you can turn to them.”
Kylie, who is part of a dozen-strong
office team at the St. Ninian's Road site
in Carlisle, was in no doubt about the
greatest strength of the Company saying:
“We always try our best to make sure
customers get the best service from us.”
Michaela explained, “Within my role I
support the guys in the field and log all
the incidents and alarm reports. I
import rosters and manage KPI reports
along with general administration
duties. What I really like about the job
is that I haven't worked in the security
industry before, so it gives me the
chance to challenge myself. The
Company tries to help its staff as much
as possible.”
Michaela added, “I thought it would be
a real struggle to get my head back in to
a working environment but because of
the people in my office and at the other
end of the phone, I am starting to feel
really confident in the day-to-day tasks.”
If you have any comments or suggestions for stories for the next edition of ‘The Watch’, we would
be delighted to hear from you! Please email or write to ‘The Watch’ at the address below.
Published by Northern Security: St Ninian’s Road, Carlisle CA2 4NE.
T: 01228 547 662 W: www.northernsecurityltd.co.uk E: [email protected]
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