On a cold January night around 11:00 p.m., James was just starting his shift when a call came in from security. A young woman, barefoot and in pyjamas, was seen wandering near the power station. As James got closer, he noticed she had visible signs of self-harm. What happened next was far from ordinary…
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David Barker joins Bidvest Noonan as Chief Growth Officer
We are delighted to announce that David Barker has joined us as Chief Growth Officer. David joins our executive team and will take responsibility for the growth and development of our group.
A seasoned leader, David has a wealth of experience garnered across diverse industries and multiple geographies. He has deep expertise in solution design and a long and successful track record of building high-performing business development teams. In his most recent role, David led sales for Aramark across Northern Europe.
Commenting on David’s appointment, Declan Doyle, Bidvest Noonan CEO said: “I’m delighted to welcome David to our team. David’s strategic insight, proven expertise in driving growth, and his exceptional ability to build strong, collaborative teams stand out. I have every confidence in David’s success at Bidvest Noonan and I’m looking forward to working with David to grow our business.”
David Barker added: “I’m honoured to join Bidvest Noonan as Chief Growth Officer. Bidvest Noonan is an excellent company with a strong reputation in the market for innovation, sustainability and looking after the wellbeing of its people. I’m looking forward to working with all of my new colleagues to grow this business and deliver more value to our customers.
Bidvest Noonan wins national innovation award
We are thrilled to have been named the winner of the Irish Security Industry Association’s (ISIA) ‘Innovation in Security Award’, for 2021. This award recognises companies that are truly innovative in their approach to the delivery of security through product, process, or service innovation.
Bidvest Noonan received the award for our innovation programme, EDGE. EDGE provides a set of tools and processes to empower our teams to innovate faster and develop better innovation skills, capabilities, and culture.
The ISIA has recognised that this programme gives Bidvest Noonan’s security managers a platform to share their new ideas, imagine better ways of working, and improve how they protect people, clients, and communities.
Four Trends Shaping the Future of our Industry
As Technology and Innovation Director at Bidvest Noonan, Peter Smyth spends much of his time studying innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies. Peter’s research helps the business to achieve better outcomes for its customers, people, business, and environment.
We asked Peter to identify four areas where innovation and technological advances are beginning to impact our industry.
Cobotics
Cobotics is still an emerging field; however, at Bidvest Noonan, we have begun to introduce cobots to a number of sites where they can add value.
These machines work alongside our people, handling repetitive and monotonous tasks such as large area cleaning. Cobots are not a substitute for cleaning teams, but they can augment them, increasing their resilience and capacity.
Cobots can offer several benefits. The cobots that we have invested in use up to 80% less water than traditional cleaning methods. They use smart mapping systems to take the most energy-efficient cleaning path and can work in the dark, further reducing energy consumption.
The data captured by our cobots support evidence-based cleaning and the development of valuable insights for planning. Significantly, by handling some of the most monotonous work, cobots improve job satisfaction for our team members and enable them to spend more time on higher-order tasks.
Dynamic Cleaning
Dynamic cleaning improves the productivity and sustainability of cleaning operations. The approach uses sensor technologies to identify which spaces have been occupied and require cleaning and which do not.
Dynamic cleaning enables teams to become more productive, with no time wasted on unnecessary cleaning in unused areas. In addition, cleaning operations become more sustainable as teams use less water, energy and materials overall.
The approach leverages real-time and historical building usage data to improve planning, enabling managers to determine the exact resourcing requirements for every period and every area of the site.
Smart Buildings
Smart buildings use a combination of technologies to improve the efficiency, utilisation and environmental performance of buildings and assets while creating a safe and comfortable environment for occupants.
Bidvest Noonan uses a range of these technologies at some of its own buildings to monitor and manage building occupancy, powering down unoccupied rooms, spaces, or even entire floors to save energy. We only make these spaces available again when needed.
Using our digital booking system, our building users always have access to the resources they need, such as desks, meeting rooms, smart lockers and parking spaces.
The insights provided by our smart building technologies enable us to make significant cost and energy savings in areas such as lighting, heating and air-conditioning systems while providing optimum conditions for building users. In addition, the data we gather helps to improve our workplace planning.
Waste Management
Businesses have used waste compactors and balers to manage waste for many years; however, these technologies have continued to advance, and developments in recycling and regulation have boosted their use.
Modern compactors and balers such as those provided by our specialist waste handling business, Ancove, are more powerful, economical and compact. As a result, they efficiently reduce waste volumes by more than 90%; Consequently less space is required to store waste, and fewer waste collections are needed. Additionally, waste materials have become a source of revenue for our customers. They receive payment for valuable waste materials such as paper, cardboard and plastic. This is a win-win situation for business and the environment.
Joining the security industry from the Police by Paul Considine
Paul Considine, Head of Security and Contingency for one of our iconic client sites in London, has an impressive 30-year career with the Metropolitan Police. In an article for ThisWeekinFM, Paul discusses his journey from investigating serious crime to leading a team of over 50 security officers in central London for Bidvest Noonan.
In 2020, Considine was appointed as Head of Security and Contingency for one of Bidvest Noonan’s iconic client sites. He joined after an impressive 30-year career with the Metropolitan police working his way up from PC, to Serious and Organised Crime Command, homicide investigations and Hostage and Crisis Negotiator.
How Did Your Career in the Police Begin?
I joined the Met Police in 1990 and spent five years in uniform as a PC, learning my craft and providing immediate response to critical incidents and managing a range of operational activities. I was then transferred to detective duties having demonstrated an eye for detail and observation. Detective responsibilities included initial investigative planning and strategy setting, pursuing lines of enquiry, completion of case papers, to presenting evidence at Crown Court.
Upon promotion, I led teams of detectives, overseeing a wide range of cases from fraud and acquisitive offences through to violent crime and sexual offences.
You Spent 30 Years in Law Enforcement. Were There Other Positions You Took up During This Time?
I was selected to join the Serious and Organised Crime Command where I held several roles and secured numerous promotions. Responsibilities included leading covert surveillance operations and proactively dismantling firearm-enabled Organised Crime Groups.
For ten years, I led homicide investigations across London and Internationally. Responsibilities included prioritising lines of enquiry and devising analytical and innovative investigative strategies whilst working closely with community stakeholders.
I also volunteered as a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator for several years where I primarily provided crisis intervention for those with mental health issues. This work was incredibly rewarding and often involved my deployment to sites across London to negotiate and support vulnerable individuals who were threatening suicide.
“I have always enjoyed being challenged and was keen to choose an industry that would continue to challenge me and allow me to use the skills honed over 30 years. The security industry seemed an obvious fit on the basis that I would be identifying and mitigating risk, building and maintaining professional relationships and leading a team.”
Why Did You Look to Security as a Possible Career Option?
I saw an opportunity to seek out a second vocation and decided to retire from the police service.
If I am honest, it was not something I was looking forward to with much relish as I joined the police straight from school and a career change seemed daunting. I have always enjoyed being challenged and was keen to choose an industry that would continue to challenge me and allow me to use the skills honed over 30 years. The security industry seemed an obvious fit on the basis that I would be identifying and mitigating risk, building and maintaining professional relationships and leading a team.
Why Bidvest Noonan?
I spoke with several security professionals who were keen to assist me in my career transition. However, it wasn’t until I met with a Bidvest Noonan Director and the wider team that I was ready to fully commit to leaving the Metropolitan Police.
I was impressed from the outset at the Bidvest Noonan setup and ethos, and I was aware that the company provided security to several iconic buildings and estates across London. It was clear to me that the company was both dynamic and ambitious, and I immediately wanted to be part of it.
What is Your Role and Responsibilities at Bidvest Noonan?
I was delighted to secure my position as Head of Security & Contingency in April 2021 at one of London’s most exciting and innovative new destinations.
Since commencing my post, my feet have not touched the ground. I manage a team of over 50 security professionals and together we are responsible for keeping the estate safe whilst making it a welcoming place for all those that use it, and ensuring we meet client and occupiers’ high expectations.”
Is There Anything You Particularly Like About Your Role?
It has been a steep but enjoyable learning curve made easier by the support offered and provided by peers, managers and support staff. I’m most looking forward to developing my team, identifying talent and assisting them as they progress in their security careers.
Have There Been Any Key Learnings From Your Time in the Role so Far?
The client and occupiers of the building have very high expectations, and meeting them all is often challenging. Fire alarm systems and the security response is not something I have dealt with before. I’ve been impressed with the level of detail in correlating standard operating procedures (SOP) and have enjoyed learning something new.
What Would You Say to Someone Thinking of Looking to Start a Career in Security?
Do it! I am still in the infancy of my security career but I am thoroughly enjoying it.
I am very grateful to Bidvest Noonan for the opportunity and look forward to enhancing my reputation as a security professional and the reputation of the company which to date I have been hugely impressed by.
Article written by Ella Tansley from TwinFM
Bidvest Noonan announces its new operating structure
Following the completion of an acquisition plan that brought Cordant Services, the Axis Group and Interact into its business, Bidvest Noonan has announced its investment in a new operating structure.
This new structure will see the development of separate leadership, operations and support teams for Bidvest Noonan’s businesses in Great Britain and Ireland. Each business will be led by a CEO who will assume full responsibility for managing the business in the relevant geography.
Cormac Sheils, a highly experienced senior executive who has been part of the group’s senior leadership team for over eight years, has been appointed CEO of Bidvest Noonan in Ireland.
Commenting on his appointment, Sheils said, “I am excited to take on this new role and I’m delighted to have the support of a very strong and experienced management team. I know that working together, we will take this business from strength to strength. Our plan for Ireland is clear, we are a market leader for a range of single and bundled service solutions, and I am determined to protect and develop our market position.”
The group will name its new CEO for Great Britain in the coming weeks.
With revenues of over £700 million and employing more than 27,000 people, Bidvest Noonan has become a leading player in the UK’s facilities services market and is the market leader in Ireland. Today’s announcement signals Bidvest Noonan’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and value to clients in these territories.
This new structure will allow Group CEO Declan Doyle to lead a newly established team focusing on strategy, governance and transformational activities for the group. This new team will enable the group to grow its leadership positions, develop new service lines and enter new sectors and markets.
Commenting on the announcement, Group CEO Declan Doyle said, “our new operating structure will enable us to build the in-country infrastructure and agility we need to take our performance to the next level. Our new operating structure will provide an excellent platform for our future growth, provide more opportunities for our people and enable us to deliver even greater value and support to clients“.
Chief Business Office Fintan Connolly added, “with our new structure in place we can increase our focus on developing our business and creating value for clients”.
