Suited and Booted Archives

Each year, World FM Day recognises the commitment of the facilities management industry to developing and supporting the built environment. FM keeps our world going day to day, it underpins the operations of millions of businesses globally and supports a greater number of people every year.

As part of an industry with such far reaching impact, making a real difference has become a responsibility for all players in FM. Corps Security takes this responsibility seriously, going beyond keeping people and assets safe – we’re all about making a real difference at a national and local level.

In 1859, the Corps of Commissionaires was founded to provide gainful employment to the servicemen returning from the Crimean War. Since then, our social mission has been the backbone of our business and has seen Corps elevated thanks to our commitment to supporting UK veterans and reinvesting our profits to invest in our people.

Social value

As a certified Social Enterprise, Corps is proudly one of the UK’s most ethical security firms. Corps Security fully endorses the Real Living Wage and our engagement with the Living Wage Foundation is fundamental to our organisation, with our CEO, Mike Bullock, taking an active role.

We continue to tackle diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment process while providing support for our diverse workforce through our award-winning Corps Together initiative which provides wellbeing resources and help for our colleagues.

Helping others

We also believe in making a real difference through supporting the underrepresented veterans community and the less fortunate. Earlier this year, a team from Corps took on the Tour de Corps cycle challenge to raise funds for our charity partner, Combat Stress – the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. The team covered over 1200km from Glasgow to London and raised over £10,000 for Combat Stress.

In April, Corps Security donated over 40 unrequired uniform suits to Suited and Booted, a charity helping vulnerable, unemployed and low-income individuals into employment by providing suitable clothing and interview advice. Corps has also agreed to provide vehicle support, when possible, to collect donations and deliver them to the charity headquarters.

Mental health

Historically, the security industry has battled an invisible enemy, affecting our colleagues in the form of poor mental health. Research shows that up to 40% of security officers display symptoms of PTSD while its estimated that security officers are the third highest industry impacted by suicide.

While many intitaitves exist to address mental health in the security industry, we believe that by coming together to overcome the stigma around mental health, we can make a real difference. This month, Corps is bringing together security and FM leaders and professionals alongside the #SecurityMindsMatter team and Combat Stress to help influence real change in our industry at a special event.

A History of Looking Forward

For over 160 years, we have been evolving our mission through the ages and many societal changes to support the communities we’re part of today and continue to make a real difference in society.

#WorldFMDay2023

Corps ensures less fortunate interviewees can be Suited and Booted

The Corps Security team in London have made its first donation to Suited and Booted. But this wasn’t a monetary donation, but instead the team provided over 40 ex uniform suits – trousers, jackets, and shirts, for the less fortunate.

Our colleague, Clarence (pictured) delivered the items to the charity which provides help to vulnerable, unemployed, and low-income men to get into employment. For those men, it is not affordable to pop out and buy the clothes required to look the part for their interview, so alongside professional support, and advice on interview technique and more, that charity provides donated items from companies across the capital. In turn, all candidates who seek the help of the charity have a much higher chance of success and could find themselves getting that all important role.

One step further…

Following the delivery of Corps’ 40 suits in the Corps Security vehicle, Clarence spent time looking at the amazing work that the charity does. Within the conversation, the charity shared an issue with which they suffer – collecting donations. As a not-for-profit charity, with volunteers, many do not have a vehicle to collect donations from London companies.

Clarence and the team have since agreed to provide support with the Corps Security vehicle, when possible, to get those all-important donations to the charity headquarters.

You can find out more about Suited and Booted, to learn how to donate or volunteer click here.

The Suited and Booted Charity

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