Following the last audit we are pleased that Shield has achieved a renewal of our Guarding Gold Accreditation. Specific aspects were highlighted and Shield were complimented on them:

Low staff turnover and how we achieve it,

HR polices are geared to staff retention through good career prospects, competitive benefits packages, reward and recognition etc.  By the end of March 2009 labour turnover was at less than 10%.

Other aspects of our staff welfare policies were highlighted,

Staff at all levels of the organisation when interviewed, all confirmed their personal satisfaction with the recruitment and screening process, including through TUPE, training undertaken, benefits available. The support provided by Shield Guarding continues to be extensive, with specific emphasis on telephone counselling service in the current economic climate in relation to debt, stress and ‘well person plan’ designed to relieve officers from their financial worry accompanying the diagnosis of gender-specific cancer.

Their research showed that our assurances to clients for late notice cover are well founded,

In order to ensure that specific major sites are manned in line with contractual requirements a ‘General Pool’ of officer’s report to head office daily for tasking to site if required.  As a result the company manning level is kept at 110%.  All officers were found to have received the site specific recorded training required.

Our claims of good management were further supported,

All demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the QMS, customer contractual requirements, staffing expectations, requirements and needs.  It was confirmed during site staff interviews that the leadership skill of the management team was considered very high.

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During staff interviews all confirmed that the Shield Guarding line management leadership skills were exemplary.  

They concluded,

...a highly satisfied client base including long term relationships and security service buyers... very high consistent quality and attendance of staff at site and leaders in training delivery and qualifications.

 

A very positive assessment of our company and our service. We are delighted at the comments of the auditors which will serve to provide assurance to our clients that they are using a company dedicated to service excellence and continual development.

Following a successful rigourous vetting process by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Shield are now at the advance stages of negotiating the introduction of a Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) with one of our major clients and the Met Police.

Set up by the Police Reform Act (2002), CSAS are set up to allow closer links between private security companies and the Police Force in attempt to develop the 'wider police community'. They enable chief constables to designate limited powers to employees of organisations who contribute towards community safety.

People accredited under such a scheme are called accredited persons (APs) and can be identified by a nationally standardised badge which must be worn at all times. Their status allows them to deal with specific nuisances such as dog fouling, cycling on the pavement, and litter.

We will keep you up to date with developments as this program progresses.

The competitors were:

Peter “The Count” Cushing, Brian “Carry On” Jeeves, J.J “Night” Schade, David “Sugar” Kain, Nelson “Late-Night” Cruse, Richard “Rapier” Wittstock, Biff “Lost My” Way, Tony “Beehive” Barnett

The tournament commenced at 19:30 with J.J beating Biff and scoring the only 140 of the night in the process. David Kain beat Richard and gained a place in the semi finals. Tony Barnett was unfortunately rusty but nevertheless showed why he was a previous champion with flashes of greatness, eventually though the lack of practice was his undoing. J.J lost in his second match to Brian leaving a grand final between Brian and “The Count”.

An unnerving game to watch as both contenders were determined to be victorious. However, it was Brian Jeeves who narrowly beat Peter with a final score of 2-1. So at the night’s end the winner was Brian Jeeves with Peter Cushing as runner up

The raffle supporting Karl Maguire for the London Marathon was also drawn on the night. Two drinks hampers were raffled. 39 tickets were sold in total raising £78. Thanks to those who supported Karl. The first hamper was won by Bruce Palmer of HQ mobile inspectorate and the second won by Tony Barnett.

If you missed the tournament and fancy your chances on the ocky look out for announcements on this website for the next event or register your interest with ‘The Count’.

Thanks to those who made the effort to support and make the night a success. To those who were unable to be present I hope we shall see you next year.

Thanks also go to Chris at the Pilgrim for supporting the event and supplying the highly valued catering.

(main photo: P Cushing, N Cruse, B Jeeves)

(The Count in action)

The judges feedback in making Shield their Security Guarding Company of the Year was clearly stated. We were commended for our ability to retain major contracts, the processes and policies that  contribute to our incredibly low staff turnover of less than 10% per annum and our commitment to maintaining a low contract manager to client ratio. We have always considered these characteristics to be our major strengths and vital to maintaining a consistent premium service. We were delighted to see this recognised by the judging panel.

The following links cover the award:

Awards Brochure

Winners Pictures

Infologue Article

Security teams from The Shield Guarding Company working at prime shopping centres, have completed NVQ programmes in Security and Loss Prevention. The programme, initially trialled at the iconic Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham, has progressively been rolled out to other shopping centres in the portfolio including Brent Cross, Highcross, West Quay and The Oracle. Naheem Ahmed at the Bullring said‘. Working with the SAFE team we have been able to develop a programme with a focus on customer care and managing risk within a retail environment. Over 60 of our team have gained their NVQ, adding to their expertise and sense of self worth. We have already seen significant improvement in what we had already considered to be a very strong team. The whole experience has been excellent for all concerned.

Stuart Kedward, HR Director at Shield said, ‘We are delighted by the outcome. The successful pilot at the Bullring has led to the adoption of the programme at a further four Hammersons shopping centres and the adoption of the BTEC level 4 risk management programme for duty managers at the Bullring. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful support that we have received from SAFE, Harrow College and our staff at the Bullring in making this programme such a success. With the support of LSC funding we have been able to improve the service that we provide to an important customer, further improved public security and safety and provided our staff with the opportunity for self development.

Article from www.safe-training.com

Accolades are due also to Danny Moody our security manager at 30 St. Marys Axe. Danny was runner up in the Security Manger of the Year category . Excellent work!

Congratulations everybody

A team from Shield entered last weekend’s Para 10. All members successfully completed the gruelling event and succeeded in raising over £2,500 for the cause. Congratulations and thanks to all those who entered or donated.

Official Times:

No Bergen

David Barber CM: 1:39

Jim Lindsay CM: 1:52

Bergen and Boots

Karl Maguire CM: 1:53

Tom King RD: 2:00

Phil Ennis HQ: 2:05

Hopefully this will become an annual effort and we would welcome any volunteers for next year’s entry. Details are available here: www.paras10.com

On the 12th August the Crown Green Bowling Team, of Tim Callow, Ken Morgan, and 'Man of the Match' Peter Cushing, successfully won their Triton Court City of London Crown Green Bowls Semi-Final 8-7 in a tense encounter.

This means Shield will be represented, for the 3rd year running in a bowls final. The night of the final is to be confirmed, but is usually a good evening with plenty of beer and food supplied. I hope we can count on your support.

Shield recently hosted its Quarterly Achievement Awards. Officers and Supervisors deserving of special recognition for their work this last Quarter were invited to Kennington Lane to receive their awards. We congratulate all award winners and thank them for their outstanding contribution to the company.

The winners list is as follows:

Team awards:

River Plate House Security Team

Mike Mullins, Luke Stawski and Luke Young

For affecting arrests and directly preventing loss

NB Peninsular House Security Team

Mohammed Hussain, Mamadi Jawara and Sameer Madarboccus

For their conduct after the onsite accident on 24th April

Churchill Square Security Team

Contract Manager: Karl Maguire

For consistently excellent service as recognised by our client.

Individual awards:

Nickki Demaglaski

Liz Harris

Linda Parkin

John Orabator

Anthony Patten

David Kerslake

We are delighted to recognise and reward these officers for their achievements. Keep up the good work and we hope to see you at the next one.

It was announced this week that The Shield Guarding Company has been shortlisted for two awards at this year’s Security Excellence Awards due to be held at the London Park Lane Hilton hotel on the 22nd October..

The nomination of Contract Security Manager of the year reflects the good work achieved by Danny Moody at 30 St. Marys Axe and the nomination for Security Guarding Company of the year reflects the good work achieved by the whole company.

Although we have not yet won any of these awards, being shortlisted is an achievement in itself and one we should all be proud of.

Congratulations to the team and well done Danny Moody.

The winners list is as follows:

Team awards:

A.Mahadea

J.B. Pratio

For their calm response to a serious assault on a member of public.

K. Patel

P. Patel

S. Thiyagarajah

S. Mingo

M. Honey

L. Nagina

For their assured and timely action in response to an attempted suicide.

Individual awards:

T.Patten 

A. Porsche

S. Gettens

S. Vemula

G. Ali

M. Hussain

D. Fonnie

We are delighted to recognise and reward these officers for their achievements. Keep up the good work and we hope to see you at the next one.

Picture (left to right): Mark Honey, Lance Nagina, Keval Shah and Prashant Patel.