Sodexo, the site services company, has gained Guarding Gold approval for its national control room, from the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).
NSI has assessed the facilities and procedures of Sodexo’s national control room against the relevant industry standards BS 7499:2013, BS 7858:2012, BS EN ISO 9001:2008 and its own code of practice, NSI NCP 107.
Opened last year and based in Salford, Sodexo’s national control room monitors 600 staff (permanent and relief security officers) across 260 contracts in the UK and Ireland, 24 hours.
Many of the contract company’s officers provide security for its clients out of hours, or as lone workers. The NSI says its Guarding Gold approval provides reassurance to their officers when on duty, that they have back-up should it be required, via their control room.
Simon Pears, pictured, Sodexo’s Global Security Director, said: “NSI Guarding Gold is one of the highest accreditations in the security sector signifying the standards to which we operate and how important people are to our business. Sodexo has been extremely successful in providing clients with the professional security services and is ranked in the top one per cent of security providers for quality delivery in the UK. Achieving this standard serves to consolidate this position and is tremendous recognition for the control room team.”
Richard Jenkins, NSI Chief Executive, added: “Sodexo is a shining example of what can be achieved when an organisation puts people at the heart of its business. I am delighted Sodexo sought independent verification of the facilities and procedures of its national control room from NSI. NSI’s Guarding Gold approval, demonstrates commitment to employee welfare through the adherence of sector standards, and business excellence, through the sound operation of a Quality Management System to ISO 9001. Certification is a credit to all involved at Sodexo in the control room operation and the overseeing of their on-site services of security officers.”
