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In This Edition Of Our “5 Minutes With” Series, We Speak To Amy Wilkinson, Content Manager

5 Minutes with Amy Wilkinson

For the latest edition of our “5 Minutes with” series, we sat down with Amy Wilkinson, Content Manager. She spoke about her expertise, how that has shaped her role within Corps Security, and balancing a busy work life with parenthood.

What does your role entail?

As a Content Manager, I work with anything and everything involving writing. If it needs written words, I’m there, and I love it. I mostly work on major bids, which is really exciting, especially when we’re pitching for contracts with much-loved, iconic brands. I also write case studies, award nominations, web content, brochures, and internal-facing resources.

An especially important responsibility for me is showcasing the work of our frontline colleagues. In my eyes, security is another emergency service, and they deserve recognition for the incredible work they do. I spend a lot of time developing award nominations to further that visibility.

What roles have you worked in prior to joining Corps Security?

 I started my career in sales and, in 2008, took the role of Sales & Marketing Coordinator for a major security and aviation services provider, which was my first step into the security industry. Here I was enabled and encouraged to work across both sales and marketing, and spent some time in client-facing roles, but always loved the writing element of my work and the buzz of a sales environment. I was based in a bustling central London office working across both operational teams and support departments, which kept me incredibly busy!

Tell us about your journey with Corps Security

After having my first child, I knew I needed a change, so I joined Corps in 2019 as Bid Manager. In 2021, it was decided that a reshuffle was on the cards to make the most of the incredible skills we had across the team. So I moved into the role of Content Manager, to focus all my energy on telling the Corps story.  This transition has allowed me to get involved in all kinds of written content that brings value to our organisation and the communities we operate within.

What steps has your development taken and how has Corps supported you in this?

Corps is very focussed on developing colleagues, and I’ve been given full support in achieving my ambitions. I’ve taken part in loads of different courses, including creative writing, which was fun. In the not-too-distant future, I’ll be kicking off my Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) qualification, which will really elevate our bids and help me support the team with best practice processes.

What’s been your biggest highlight in your role?

 Where do I start? The progress I’ve seen across the company in the last six years has been mind blowing!

During my time with the business, we’ve worked on some incredible opportunities and have secured some game-changing contracts. Seeing our team’s hard work pay off will be an ongoing highlight for me.

Back in 2021, I supported with the process of becoming a certified Social Enterprise, which was a huge moment for the business. I was also one of the initial Corps Together Guardians and worked with Seetan and the team to launch the initiative. This will always be a standout achievement for me, and I’m proud that I contributed to Corps winning the first EDI initiative award at the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs).

Awards in general are always a highlight. In 2021, I wrote our nomination for the Covid Lockdown Hero category at the 2021 Fire & Security Excellence Awards. When we won, we were all over the moon. It was a special moment to be recognised for protecting and supporting our brilliant colleagues.

What do you love most about working at Corps?

There really is no other organisation like Corps in our industry. I truly live and breathe our history, heritage and social enterprise status. These qualities make our work really matter, from our ongoing work with veterans to contributing to local initiatives and charities close to our social mission.

I also cannot let my team go without mention. We are like a family and genuinely love each other. You have to believe in the business you are working for and having a super strong team that works well together and advocates for one other is crucial.

What are the key ingredients to finding happiness at work?

Believing in your employer’s mission is key. My biggest dealbreaker is a company that doesn’t match my own values. There must be integrity and a commitment to doing the right thing. Corps certainly has both, but these qualities can be surprisingly hard to find.

What helps you create a good work/life balance?

 Understanding the peaks and troughs and planning accordingly. Use downtime effectively to recalibrate and make sure you are ready to go again.

As a mum, coming to Corps was a breath of fresh air for me and has helped me achieve a better balance. I work from home which enables me to be there for my boys and arrange my time to both meet deadlines and support my family. I don’t think I could be the parent I am without Corps. Mike Bullock and the rest of our senior management team sets that tone of support right at the top. I know that Corps is dedicated to supporting my work, my team, my work-life balance, and my growth.

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5 mins With Seetan Varsani Blog

5 Minutes With Seetan Varsani

In our ongoing “5 Minutes with” series, we’re delighted to speak to Seetan Varsani, Divisional Director for London, about his journey with Corps and his work as the founder and leader of Corps Together, our award-winning ED&I programme.

What does your role entail?

As Divisional Director of the London Division, I oversee a third of our business, focusing on service levels, client engagement and colleague engagement. I also look at the commercial and financial performances of our division, as well as growth and new opportunities.

In my leadership role for Corps Together, I work with a wider team to advance targeted recruitment initiatives, training programmes, and employee network groups. I constantly strive to advance our network, so that every employee, from our senior executives to our frontline operatives, engages with empathy and understanding in dialogue.

Two days are never the same. One day you could be neck deep in focusing on numbers and financial performance of the division, and the following day you could be speaking to a group of school leavers about career pathways in the industry.

What roles have you worked in prior to joining Corps Security?

I didn’t start out in security – my career began when I looked at graduate training schemes after my studies. I joined Rentokil Initial on its fast-track programme, overseeing different functions of the business and eventually working for them after 14 months of the programme.

My final placement on the course was in security, and once I saw how officers interact with you and interact with each other, I knew it was the industry I wanted to work in. Since then, I’ve worked in different management and director positions before joining Corps in 2016.

Long before my current role, I wanted to go into the hotel industry, and I studied hospitality and licensed retail management at university. Between 14 and 18, I also developed a passion for aviation and was accepted on a RAF programme to become a pilot. However, when I achieved a 2:1 grade at university, I made a deal with myself to pursue a master’s degree in business studies, which eventually opened up many opportunities and led me to where I am now.

In the gap between courses, I also DJed in Tenerife for four months, so I have quite a diverse background! 

Tell us about your journey within the company

When I joined Corps as Regional Operations Manager, I focused on the London and South region, overseeing our teams and making sure to fix any operational issues.

In the last ten years, Corps has transformed dramatically. As our people-focus has grown and we’ve become a Social Enterprise, it’s part of my job to think about who we are, our purpose, who our competitors are, and coach my teams to think about the right course of action, even if it can be the trickier one.

There have been a lot of leaders who have guided us through the transition to make Corps better for our people. And I’d like to count myself as one of them.

What steps has your development taken and how has Corps supported you in this?

If you want to develop here, you certainly can. When the opportunity to develop Corps Together came up, I was able to take that on and create the framework for it. Corps recognises people who put their head above the parapet, show drive and enthusiasm.

I’ve always been supported but, equally, I have pushed myself to progress. I’m a big believer in some of your progression coming from your ability to put yourself out there.

What’s been your biggest highlight in your role?

Being the first ever ED&I category winner at the Outstanding Security Performance Awards was a standout. Being at the helm of this development has been an exceptional highlight of my career. We learn a lot from diverse groups of individuals, and we can progress so much further and quicker as a result.

Whether in my role or in Corps Together, I am always striving for more. I am proud of pushing myself within the senior management team to be trusted as an integral part of the business.

What do you love most about working at Corps?

Our people. They are what make me want to get up and come to work.

I’ll always say I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it weren’t for my team. I am exceptionally proud of them. They have propelled our aspirations and have worked hard to create success.

What are the key ingredients to finding happiness at work?

Honestly? Someone to moan to, someone to natter with, and someone to have banter with. I think we laugh about it, but it exists in every workplace. You’ve always got to have somebody who’s willing to listen to the things that you have to say.

The reason I fell in love with security is genuinely coming to work and making people feel empowered, supported, and special. That’s what makes people thrive.

What helps you create a good work/life balance?

Having two teenagers now, I have to find a different balance. And my balance might be different to somebody else’s. For me, I might dedicate a couple of hours to sorting out emails so I can prepare best for a balanced week.

DJing has also been a big part of my life for around 25 years. I have a weekly radio show on Friday nights and every year I run a 24-hour charity stream on LinkedIn to fundraise money for Children with Cancer UK. In September, we raised a brilliant £3,267 for the charity.

Corps Security is always interested in taking on new talent. If you are interested in working for us, please get in touch.

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Your View Matters: Corps Security's 2024 Employee Survey Results

Your View Matters: Corps Security’s 2024 Employee Survey Results

Corps Security’s commitment to our colleagues’ wellbeing and satisfaction remains at the heart of everything we do. To make sure we understand what is most important for our colleagues, we hold an annual Your View Matters survey. This provides valuable insights into how we’re performing as an employer, and where we can make meaningful improvements for the benefit of our colleagues and the company. Let’s dive into the key findings from our 2024 survey.

What’s in the Your View Matters survey?

Our survey asks questions about overall satisfaction at Corps Security, and the elements that create that. We also review our colleague-client relationships and the values within the organisation. Following our colleagues’ feedback, we have reduced the number of questions by half.

To help us understand the make-up of our business, we also ask questions about who completed the survey. This is general information only, like role and length of service, so that colleagues can answer anonymously. For the first time, we have removed questions about age and gender of those completing the survey to keep in line with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policies.

Who participated in the Your View Matters survey?

This year’s survey gathered 1,055 responses from across our organisation, with the majority (82%) coming from our front-line colleagues. This gives us a comprehensive view of life at Corps Security from those delivering our services day-to-day, and who have the most interaction with our customers. 37% of the respondents had less than two years of service, which provides valuable insight into the initial impression we give.

Do colleagues at Corps Security plan on staying with us for the long term?

We’re proud that 71% of our colleagues’ plan to stay with Corps Security for the long term, reflecting our commitment to creating fulfilling career opportunities. Of the respondents who had less than two years of service, 87% believe we deliver good service to our customers.

How do colleagues feel about their compensation at Corps Security?

As part of our dedication to fair compensation, we’re pleased to report that 91% of our colleagues are now being paid the Living Wage or above. We’re actively working to ensure the remaining positions reach this standard, as we are committed to a fair reward for our workforce.

More than half of our colleagues have said that they received a fair reward for the efforts. This shows our compensation has a positive momentum in our journey to build an even more equitable workplace.

What is the history of Corps Security, and do our colleagues still value this?

Our military heritage continues to be a cornerstone of our identity. When Captain Sir Edward Walter founded the Corps of Commissionaires in 1859, he had the vision to provide employment opportunities to veterans returning from the Crimean War. Today, we continue with our ongoing commitment to supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life. 7 out of 10 colleagues believing our veteran support and heritage are important to the company’s future. This aligns with our founding principles.

How do colleagues Corps Security feel about the service they provide?

73% of our employees feel proud to work for Corps Security and would recommend it as a good place to work. This reflects our hard-working team’s dedication to maintaining high standards and their satisfaction within their roles.

How does Corps Security promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion?

We’re pleased to see that 73% of colleagues feel Corps Security proactively promotes EDI, showing that we create an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Our award-winning EDI body Corps Together supports colleagues provides support and advocacy for everyone, regardless of their role.

What more can Corps Security do to support their staff?

The survey highlighted some areas where we can do better. Only 63% of colleagues were satisfied with the provision of uniforms and equipment. We’ve taken this feedback seriously and are implementing a new supply, quality, and ordering process in early 2025.

What does the future look like for colleagues at Corps Security?

Our colleague’s feedback helps us create a better workplace for everyone. Following the survey analysis, we’ve established action plans with each region, and our HR department will ensure these improvements are implemented effectively.

Join our team

If you’re looking for a career with a purpose-driven security company that values its people, provides dedicates services to its clients, and continuously strives for improvement, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our careers page to explore current opportunities and become part of our professional team.

As one colleague noted in the survey: “Corps Security provides the ideal place to work. I am proud to be part of Corps Security.”

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Corps Security wins The Security Institute’s ED&I Award

Corps Security Wins The Security Institute’s ED&I Award

Corps Together guardians Chris Middleton (left) and Clarence Hyman (right) pictured.

Corps Security has won The Security Institute’s prestigious award for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Initiative of the Year, for the second time in a row. The award was presented at the Institute’s annual general meeting and conference, titled ‘The Changing Face of Security’ which was held in London last week.

The Institute’s annual meeting discussed the ever-changing dynamic in the security landscape, which included how the profession is now more diverse and inclusive than ever before. It featured eight awards focusing on outstanding work and contributions within the industry.

Corps was awarded for its Corps Together ED&I initiative, which aims to break down barriers in the workplace through community support structures, including the Corps Veterans Association, and its guardian support network. The Corps guardian support network encompasses race, disability, religion, age, gender, sexuality, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.

Corps was also commended for changing the mental health dialogue for officers with its mental health events, which led to the launch of the Wellness Baton, an event series collaborating with other security and FM providers to come together, learn, and share best practice for mental health and wellbeing support.

Seetan Varsani, divisional director for London and head of Corps Together at Corps Security, said: “We are delighted to win this award, especially for the second year in a row. Corps’ dedication to ED&I and our guardian structure means that we are constantly challenging each other to be better, both professionally and personally. We are privileged to have such a diverse workforce, and we are committed to opening our minds and ensuring support, respect and appreciation for every single colleague.”

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World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day and this year’s theme is ‘workplace mental health’. We want to echo the day’s aim of exploring why good mental wellness in the workplace can benefit everyone, as well as showcasing what we’re doing at Corps Security to create a culture of wellness.

Studies show that when employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to collaborate, share ideas, and use lateral thinking skills. It leads to better mental and physical health, resulting in improved overall wellbeing.

Creating a mentally well work culture is not just about offering perks. Employers must cultivate an environment where people feel respected, connected, and purposeful. A friendly, supportive atmosphere can make all the difference in attracting top talent and driving long-term success for everyone.

Everything we do is underpinned by our People, Planet, and Purpose philosophy to promote our colleagues’ mental health.

People

We work to ensure that everyone at Corps Security feels like they are taken care of. As a social enterprise, our profits are re-invested back into the business and our colleagues, or are donated to one of the many charities we support, like Combat Stress. On 17th to 21st September, our colleagues took part in a four-day trek along Hadrian’s Wall to fundraise for this important charity. Because of their incredible efforts, they raised £7,858 from this event alone, as well as £860.15 from Gift Aid.

Our support structures at Corps Security are designed to benefit everyone. Corps Together supports diversity, equality, and inclusivity with its various support and advocacy groups for protected characteristics. With seven groups supporting parents & carers, race equity, women, interfaith, LGBTQ+ and disabled employees, we’re proud of our diverse colleagues that make up our security base and support staff.

Planet

We recognise the effects that physical health can have on mental health. A 2023 study for Public Health England found that walking and cycling can help reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. We support this with the Cycle to Work scheme and increased our commitment to £1,000 per employee for new bikes.

Most recently, we partnered with Treekly. If our colleagues walk 5,000 steps daily for more than 20 days, Treekly will plant mangrove in Mombasa, Kenya on their behalf. As a side effect of improving physical and mental health, this incentive will also contribute to reforestation efforts and have a positive impact on the planet.

Purpose

We never forget the mission of our organisation, set out by Captain Sir Edward Walter, who founded the Corps of Commissionaires in 1859 with the mission to provide employment to veterans of the Crimean War. Our priority is to take care of veterans in everything we do. By building a strong community, we aim to exemplify good mental health.

The Corps Veterans’ Association supports the those leaving the forces who work at Corps, to create comradeship and providing emotional support. Veterans can also access specific support when facing financial or personal hardship.

Finding joy in the everyday

For those of us working at Corps Security, we create a sense of community every day. Wellness comes from meaning, which is embedded in all we do and the communities our colleagues foster. Here’s to a bright future.

 

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Corps Together shortlisted for the Diversity Network Awards Corps Security

Corps Together Shortlisted For The Diversity Network Awards

We’re thrilled to announce that the Corps Security EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) initiative, ‘Corps Together’ has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Employee Network of the Year at the prestigious Diversity Network Awards.

This recognition highlights the companies’ efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within Corps Security, and more broadly, across the security industry through a series of colleague networking events.

Seetan Varsani Divisional Director, who leads the initiative says: “This award nomination is a particular triumph, as it recognises the positive impact our Corps Together initiative has had over the past 12 months. The initiative has been integral in providing under-represented groups a platform to have their voice heard, and supported us in understanding how we can enhance our EDI strategy”

Launched in October 2020, the networks are facilitated by ‘Corps Together Guardians’, a passionate team of colleagues, who provide colleagues with a safe space to share their experiences across a variety of topics, such as sexuality, gender and disability.

The Diversity Network Awards, recognises the important contributions these networks have to businesses, helping to raise awareness, dismantle barriers, encourage productive conversations and gain invaluable insight into the colleague experience.

We look forward to finding out the results at the awards ceremony that will take place on 27th September 2024 at the InterContinental Hotel in London.

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A Year In Review: Corps Security’s Growth

A Year In Review: Corps Security’s Growth

In 2023, our business has grown. We’ve celebrated our successes with award wins, worked to change the sector’s approach towards mental health, raised money for multiple initiatives, and continued to champion our promise to deliver security excellence with a social mission. As the year draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to thank our colleagues and to reflect on our achievements, not just in terms of our business, but as a social enterprise that values the incredible work of our colleagues.

Our big wins

All our colleagues deserve praise for their work, and award wins this year paid many their dues. At the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) in March, we won the Outstanding Security Training Initiative Award alongside our partners MoonHub, for our virtual reality technology that replicates site-specific programmes for trainees.

In April, our executive director Mike Bluestone was the first ever recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Security Institute. Mike received the award for his long-standing commitment to the industry, his in-depth knowledge of security, along with the qualities of positivity, calmness, and integrity that he exudes. Our ED&I initiative, Corps Together, was also crowned winner at the ceremony that night for the support network and the safe space it has created for colleagues.

Our colleague Danny Varao, who manages security for our law firm customer Bird & Bird, won the regional award for Security Manager of the Year at the 2023 British Security Industry Association (BSIA) Awards. His foresight and ambition at the role made him a worthy winner.

We were also winners at the BSIA’s flagship awards, the British Security Awards, in June. We won the Business of the Year Award – the judging panel was impressed with our multi-faceted in-person and technological service solutions.

Last but not least, this month Corps Together took home the Inclusion and Diversity Champion Award at the Security & Fire Excellence Awards. The win was for Corps’ celebration of our many different voices, who all deserve to be heard.

With more award nominations than ever in 2023, seeing these successes celebrated by such highly regarded institutions is an honour and we can’t wait to see what industry nominations and wins come next year.

Supporting veterans and security professionals’ mental health

In May this year, we launched our mental health mission, to battle the mental stigma surrounding those in the security industry, many of whom are veterans.

At our first event, key speaker Professor Mark Button discussed how 40% of officers show signs of PTSD. We pledged four key commitments on that day, which other firms can commit themselves to, and you can watch the full event here. Since then, we’ve accelerated this mission with our second event on mental health day, October 10th ­– which involved more industry mental health experts, and can be read about here.

Our Corps Veterans Association, launched last year, had an official Standard Dedication Ceremony in May. Its presence helps maintain our organisation’s strong ties with veterans.

We’ve also helped raise funds for the cause. Our April fundraiser Tour De Corps saw team members battle the weather by cycling 750 miles from Glasgow, across all mainland Corps Security offices, finishing at the London HQ. Together, the they raised an £11,000 donation to charity Combat Stress.

In June, contract manager Shane Morton helped raise money for Combat Stress and the Army Benevolent Fund, where he cuffed a 3kg Medicine Ball to his wrist for 7 days. It paralleled the physical, visual and tangible burden of mental health many experience.

In September, director of Corps Security Solutions Salman Shamim battled 35-degree weather on the UNESCO Saharan Ultra Challenge and covered the stretch of two marathons. In total, he raised £2,604 for Combat Stress.

We’ve also been involved in wider armed forces support initiatives. On the 24th of June, Corps took part in the SSAFA’s annual 13 Bridges Challenge, where over 680 walkers from multiple organisations walked 10 miles, across 13 of London’s Bridges where the overall effort raised £83,000 for the charity.

Our commitment to breaking the mental health stigma within our organisation and throughout the security sector are central parts of our mission as a social enterprise; to provide security with social value. We look forward to expanding this mission in 2024.

Our ESG developments

Our dedication to becoming a net zero organisation by 2050 grew to new heights this year, with our initiatives detailed here. Our 2023 ESG report was also released in July, and further detailing the work we do.

One major environmental win was our EcoVadis silver sustainability rating. The organisation provides holistic sustainability rating services for companies. The achievement highlights our work with our suppliers and customers in evolving our reporting and process statuses.

Another huge win for our organisation this year is that 98.7% of our colleagues now receive the Real Living Wage. We hope that by the end of this financial year, that figure can be at 100%.

Support for our staff to earn what they deserve is central to our organisational ethos. Our work fighting for the Real Living Wage across the FM sector is detailed here.

Our expertise and experience

This year, our business grew in both new and familiar sectors, expanding the ground and technical work we conduct.

In March, our division Corps Monitoring partnered with Texecom Monitor, which provides signaling to Alarm Receiving Centres. The partnership streamlines the process for installers, ensuring the best services are available ahead of the 2025 switch-off of the UK public switched telephone network.

We have also secured a contract for another data centre client, which includes Corps security members joining their in-house 24/7 security team. We’re expanding our footprint with the tech sector, too: we’ve been awarded a contract providing guarding and specialist services to a major global cyber security specialist organisation.

In May, we won a five-year contract with ExxonMobil’s Fawley Refinery and Chemical Plant against eight other security firms invited to tender. The plant is a part of the UK’s critical infrastructure and supplies 20% of the countries’ fuel requirements. We are delighted to work with an organisation with complex and specific needs.

We were appointed by Harland & Wolff to deliver services at its historic shipyard location in Belfast. The twelve-officer team was deployed in a 24/7 role and involved new and motivated colleagues learning with more experienced colleagues transferred to us.

In September, our expertise in legal firm security secured us a three-year contract with Pinsent Masons at two key sites in London and Leeds, exemplifying our expertise in providing professional services for the legal sector.

The following month, we provided security and Corps Commissionaires at the Security Institute’s annual conference in October. Anne, Princess Royal, greeted the Commissionaires, including Tom Scott, as pictured above.

In November, we secured a three-year contract with Centrepoint, the leading youth homeless charity in the UK. We currently provide night concierge security and guarding services to seven locations. This includes friendly faces for the charity, who will provide a welcoming environment for those seeking help at the shelters.

Towards 2024

Corps Security is immensely proud of the excellent work of our colleagues this year. Our dedicated, specialist and hard-working team have kept our existing and new customers happy, supported veterans and the mental health of those in our sector, and won us prestigious awards.

Everything we do is to support our ethos, to work for the “People, Planet, Purpose.”

We welcome 2024 and hope to develop the work we do to reach to even greater heights.

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Corps Security wins Security and Fire Excellence Award for diversity and inclusion

Corps Security Wins Security And Fire Excellence Award For Diversity And Inclusion

Corps Security has been named the Diversity and Inclusion Champion at the Security and Fire Excellence Awards. The business was recognised for its strategy that extends the reach of Corps Together, its Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) taskforce which unites Corps ‘Guardians’ who oversee the company’s EDI vision.

As a service provider, Corps Security faces the difficult challenge of uniting a workforce made up of more than 3,500 colleagues who are spread throughout the country, operating on a variety of customer sites. Its EDI strategy is centred on two key actions set out by the taskforce:

  1. To develop an inclusive company-wide culture, improving staff engagement whether on our sites or customer locations
  2. To become a disability inclusive employer, which fosters a disability aware culture, supporting all staff with disabilities, mental health, wellbeing and access needs

The business was recognised for taking real action including the launch of seven Colleague Networks including Age, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, (Dis)ability, Faith, LGBTQIA+, Parent’s & Carer’s and The Women’s Network. Through these networks, Corps has created a platform to reach its diverse workforce and unite colleagues, while providing a space to raise awareness and take up key advocacy work in these areas.

It has also signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme and are one of the only major security providers in the UK to gain this accreditation. More than just a signatory, Corps is working to raise awareness through education, specifically for its leadership teams but also throughout client sites, enabling them to support colleagues and an inclusive environment.

Corps CEO, Mike Bullock, said: “At Corps Security, we are investing significant time and resources into promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.  Since its launch in 2020, the Corps Together campaign which coordinates much of our activity in this area has made huge strides and we are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done which is leading the sector in the right direction.

“We purposefully and intentionally practice inclusive excellence, creating safe spaces where colleagues, no matter how they identify, or celebrate their uniqueness, will always have an opportunity to be heard, supported, and valued as a member of our family.

“The Corps Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) value diversity and we are resolute in our ambition to create the very best place to work – for everyone. Our message remains the same – as a social enterprise, people are at our very heart.”

As well as being recognised with the Diversity and Inclusion Champion award, Corps Security also achieved the silver award in Outsourced or Contract Security Team of the year category, and two bronze awards in the Security Guarding Company of the Year and Best Company to work for categories.

The Security and Fire Excellence Awards recognise the very best people, projects and processes that the security and fire sectors have to offer. Its judging process is independently verified and endorsed by The Independent Awards Standards Council.

 

 

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Enhancing Equality In The FM And Security Sector

Enhancing Equality In The FM And Security Sector

March is a busy month for events promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the facilities management and security industries. Worldwide, International Women’s Day is a mainstay of our calendars on March 8, while this year, the British Diversity Awards is taking place just two days later – an event we are proud to have interest in with Seetan Varsani, our Major Accounts & Strategic Development Director, nominated for Inspirational Role Model of the Year. Meanwhile, a ThisWeekinFM recruitment fair, also slated for March 10, presents an important opportunity for ex-military personnel to get back into work through taking up a career in our sector. It therefore feels timely to be talking about equality, diversity and inclusion.

Closing the gender divide

We still have a way to go in the FM and security space, especially when it comes to closing the gender divide. According to Women in Facility Management, although the trend is starting to shift, men outnumber women nine to one in facilities management leadership roles. The latest figures from the UK Security Industry Authority paint a similar picture. As of January 2022, there were 40,773 female SIA license holders compared to 351,370 males, meaning women make up around 11.6% of the overall security workforce. While this represents a 0.3 percentage point increase on January 2021, the dial has not shifted dramatically.

And COVID-19 has added an extra dynamic which appears to have impacted the global gender equality situation. According to research by McKinsey, women’s jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable to pandemic circumstances than those held by men, and even more so if they are part of a marginalised community.

Welcoming marginalised communities

 In 2019, Corps Security launched the Corps Together campaign which coordinates much of our activity in this area and has been shortlisted for several awards. One marginalised community we are particularly proud to support is the former people who all too often suffer from challenges with their mental health after they have left the Army, Navy or Air Force.

Corps is an active supporter of Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, for whom we operate a 1% turnover working capital scheme, helping the organisation to fund its vital work. We also have close ties with the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), the UK’s oldest national tri-service military charity. Meanwhile, on March 10, Corps will be exhibiting at and is sponsoring Ex-Military – A Journey Into FM, a recruitment fair hosted by ThisWeekinFM.

Security with a social mission

Now is time to act for equality. Last year, Corps was proud to be awarded Gold status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community, recognition that only fuels our desire to go further.  Indeed, whether it’s helping underserved communities such as military veterans, or the work of our guardians to promote equality across age, sex, religion, disability, gender and race within our organisation, our message will remain the same – as a social enterprise, people are at our very heart.

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Five Minutes With Seetan Varsani And Paul Lotter

Five Minutes With Seetan Varsani And Paul Lotter

With Corps’ equality, diversity and inclusion initiative Corps Together being formally launched this month, we sat down with Seetan Varsani, who leads the campaign, and Paul Lotter, Corps’ MD, to talk through the inspiration behind it.

Corps Together aims to improve equality, diversity and inclusion engagement across the organisation. What inspired you to launch the campaign?

Seetan: Despite having a diverse workforce in all forms of the word, there was previously little in the way of active equality, diversity and inclusion engagement within our teams of more than 3,000 people. During the worldwide #MeToo and Black Lives Matters movements, we knew this had to change. The idea for Corps Together was born.

Paul: We’re a social enterprise which means our people and our communities are at the heart of everything that we do. But we weren’t celebrating the amazing diversity of our people. To ensure we can recruit and retain the best talent, and therefore deliver the highest standards of service to our customers, we have to ensure everyone feels respected and included. Corps Together supports that.

The campaign includes so many elements: an ED&I charter, a review of all Corps policies, procedures and recruitment processes to ensure ED&I best practice, the Corps Together website, the video, a quarterly magazine, a dedicated helpline/ email line, panel support for ED&I grievances, annual mandatory E&DI training for everyone, celebratory events for key faith festivals and other events. What do you think is the most important?

Seetan: For me it’s the annual mandatory E&DI training for everyone in the business. Many people don’t understand why inclusion is important because they’ve always felt included perhaps because they don’t identify with any of the six protected characteristics: age, sex, religion, disability, gender and race. The training helps them to see inclusion from a different perspective and then look at ways they can be more inclusive and contribute to developing our culture.

Paul: Training is very important but it was also very important for us as a business to review all our policies and procedures to ensure that everything we did was with equality and diversity in mind.

Corps Together is a fantastic idea but how will you know if it’s made an impact?

Paul: It’s really important that we measure the success of what we do. Corps Together is a considerable investment for us as a business and it has to make good business sense. Our annual Your Voice Matters colleague survey in summer 2021 demonstrated a growing understanding of ED&I issues thanks to the initiative. More than 60 percent of people are aware of Corps Together, just over 40 percent are aware of their guardian team members, almost 70 percent feel Corps proactively promotes equality diversity and inclusion and a similar number feel they can approach Corps if they have an issue relating to equality, diversity and inclusion. There’s clear room for improvement but it’s a brilliant start.

Seetan: In December 2020, the Corps Together team conducted an ED&I survey of all colleagues to better understand the impact of the first few months of the programme: what worked, what needed improvement and to see what further ideas people had. We then changed the programme accordingly. We’re constantly listening to our people and adjusting the initiative accordingly.

So you’ve achieved an enormous amount over the past year, what’s next for Corps Together?

Seetan: The guardians are planning an annual ED&I awards scheme and we want to use the official launch to get more engagement from site-based colleagues particularly. We want people to feel not just included but a sense of belonging to Corps.

Paul: At a business level, we’re exploring the adoption of ISO 30415 – the new business quality standard in ED&I – with the aim to achieve this in 2022. That will really demonstrate to our people that we’re taking this seriously.

Finally, Corps Together is a great name, really summing up what it’s all about. How did you come up with it?

Seetan: We needed something which was catchy and instantly understandable. One of the volunteer guardians, who represent the six protected characteristics, said the initiative was all about bringing us all together. And we suddenly thought that together aptly described our aim. We want to nurture and build on understanding across our workforce, give everyone a voice and ensure that every one of our colleagues is 100% comfortable being themselves.

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There’s a lot more to Corps Security than you might expect. Yes, we are experts in security and we have over 166 years of experience. But we’re also experts in how to put sustainability and diversity at the heart of everything we do.

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About Corps Security

Built on over 166 years of experience and a clear social mission, we provide specialist security services tailored to ensure the safety of people and property.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, through the people we work with, the people we employ, the people we help and the planet we protect. Together we protect the things that matter.

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