Tag Archive for: Treekly

Posts

How Corps Security Makes A Difference

How Corps Security Makes A Difference

As we continue our work in 2025, we reflect on our previous initiatives, achievements, and our commitment to social value. Last year was a year where teamwork, a drive for excellence, and dedication to our members and the local community continued to be a pivotal part of our journey. A huge thank you to all our staff whose hard work made this happen.

Momentous occasions

Last year, the security industry widely recognised Corps Security’s efforts. Two of our colleagues were honoured by the Security Industry Authority. Our dedication to inclusion and equity also led to us becoming finalists for the Security Institute’s EDI Initiative of the Year.

Other significant accolades included Mike Bluestone’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fire and Security Matters Awards and Andrea Strong’s win in the Women in Security Technical Awards category. It’s a delight to work with colleagues at the forefront of the security industry.

We were thrilled to win the Bronze Employer of the Year Award at the English Veteran Awards.

We also proudly sponsored the 2024 Services Awards in Sunderland, celebrating the best in service personnel in armed and emergency services. Hosting the “Most Outstanding Royal Air Force Award” was an honour.

His Majesty King Charles III was confirmed as Corps Security’s Royal Patron in May, continuing a prestigious tradition dating back to 1901. Announced on the first anniversary of his coronation, the Monarch’s patronage was confirmed following a comprehensive review of all Royal Patronages. This appointment honours the treasured connection between the Royal Family and Corps Security.

Keeping our finger on the pulse

We’ve recently launched Corps Protect, our personalised protection services. While the 2018 British Crime Survey states 150 UK lone workers face physical or verbal attacks every day, we’re there to ensure that lone workers are safe and can work effectively.

Corps Protect offers several devices to ensure personal safety, including smart watches and body-worn videos. These are underpinned by a dedicated technical support, comprehensive reporting, and a rapid 24/7 response.

Fundraising milestones and community engagement

At Corps Security, supporting veterans is not just a part of our legacy—it’s our mission. We’ve demonstrated our commitment through fundraising, events, and strategic partnerships. In September, Corps employees embarked on the Coast-to-Coast Challenge, raising crucial funds for Combat Stress, a charity supporting veterans’ mental health. Together, they walked from Bowness-on-Solway to Whitley Bay, covering a staggering 92.5 miles.

Our national accounts team also walked from Eastbourne to Brighton as part of March to March, while others competed in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April.

Our team raised over £1,500 for the Royal British Legion through poppy sales and hosted events like the Corps Security Charity Football Tournament, which raised funds for Combat Stress. Every donation counts, and Corps doubled the tournament’s total, underscoring our commitment to veterans’ causes.

Further afield, Corps took part in the SSAFA 13 Bridges Challenge and laid wreaths at Juno Beach in honour of D-Day veterans. These initiatives resonate deeply with our mission to honour and support those who served.

Financial contributions are not the only way that we show our commitment to making the security industry, and our community, a better place. We’re proud to continually show support to Figen Murray’s mission to instate Martyn’s Law, as we have done since 2018. Working together to make the security industry a better place and delivering greater safety to the people and assets that we look after.

How does Corps Security advance social value and sustainability?

We partnered with Treekly to support reforestation efforts and maintained our EcoVadis silver sustainability score. These actions show our commitment to a greener and more inclusive future.

In October, Managing Director Paul Lotter participated in the NFU Mutual Suppliers Summit, discussing how Corps integrates social impact and sustainability into its operations. This conversation was led with our forward-thinking approach to delivering security value.

How will Corps Security shape the future in 2025 and beyond?


As we move forwards into 2025, Corps Security remains committed to setting new benchmarks in innovation. The security industry continues to move and shift, with technology being a large part of the future. Whilst businesses have access to technology in all shapes and sizes, they shouldn’t be fooled with shiny gadgets. They need to be vigilant about what products they select ensuring they are fit for purpose and offer the right benefits.

As we look to 2025, Corps Security remains committed to setting new benchmarks in innovation in security, while continuing our legacy to look after our colleagues and community.

Here’s to another year of making a difference together!

/by
5 Minutes With Sharon McLaren

5 Minutes with Sharon McLaren

We’re continuing our 5-minute series, where we celebrate our talented colleagues behind the scenes at Corps Security. This month, we have quality and compliance manager Sharon McLaren.

What does your role entail?  

I manage compliance at Corps Security. This involves maintaining our accreditations, undertaking internal and external audits, and producing action plans to ensure statutory and regulatory rules are followed. My role is varied, one day I could be writing or updating processes as part of our Integrated Management System, the next I could be engaging with stakeholders. I also manage our carbon footprint and other environmental controls, to help us work towards our sustainability goals.

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

Stepping into this industry has been an exciting shift for me, as my career was in banking and finance. I honed my skills in some of the sector’s leading firms, serving as a mortgage adviser, financial adviser, and managing a team of 15 financial advisors as a regional sales manager.

My most recent position as a management information manager challenged me to craft detailed reports, implement effective controls to maintain oversight of global standards, and identify risks or shortfalls in service delivery. These roles demanded a sharp eye for detail, an invaluable skill that I carry with me into my current role.

Tell us about your journey within the company

I started working for Corps Security in March 2022 after leaving banking. I started in our Bristol office as compliance supervisor, ensuring legal compliance to BS7858 security screening for new starters. I managed the compliance administration team across the South, developed process and procedure improvements, and wrote systems guides. In October 2022, I was promoted to my current role of quality and compliance manager.

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

Corps has been completely supportive in both the roles. In this role particularly, the company has funded two qualifications: one in internal auditing and the other in managing safely (an IOSH qualification).

I’ve always felt supported in my learning journey. In the early days, I had the support of an external consultant to help me understand the international standards, auditing, and environmental controls. As I progressed, I developed my knowledge in various sectors of sustainability. This led me to become an EcoVadis practitioner.

What’s been your biggest highlight/moment in your role?

Now that’s a difficult one to answer! There have been so many highlights, not only in how I have grown but how much I have learnt in the role. I still remember my first external audit, meeting our site-based colleagues and clients, representing Corps at award events, and even getting to meet Wolverine and Captain Marvel (if you know, you know!). Ultimately, they all involve working with a team of genuinely lovely people that want you to succeed.

What do you love most about working at Corps?

I love the opportunities available to support our charity partners. In April, I was part of a wonderful team who completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Combat Stress. I trained for the race over 3 months. 

As my training runs gradually got longer, I began to struggle. I had to dig deep and remember my “why” for running in the first place. It was for a greater purpose, raising money for a charity that does essential work to support our veterans. Eventually, I came through the other side, and I knew I had achieved something incredible. It’s amazing what you can overcome with a challenge.

What helps you create a good work/life balance?

Although I work nationally, and can be travelling around the country, I can also work remotely from home. On the days I’m at home, I can take my youngest child to Sixth Form or go to the gym.

I’d have to say my dog gives me a good work/life balance. He will sit by my chair and nudge me, until I take him for a walk. It certainly motivates me to increase my daily steps on an app we’ve recently integrated across the business named Treekly –

What are the key ingredients to finding happiness at work?

To have a passion and purpose in what you do, and to see every day as a new chance to do your best.

/by
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.

 

/by

Our Social Values

We protect more than you think

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.

We are a Social Enterprise

>> ESG Report

>> Carbon Reduction Plan

>> Equal Employment Opportunities Policy

>> EDI Survey 24-25 Action Plan Report

More Information

Accreditations

Corps Security Accreditations

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.

Registered Office at 85 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6PF.  Registered in England No. 03473589

Latest News