VSG wins £7.2 million University contract

15 Dec 09

Security solutions specialist VSG has been successful in winning a contract worth £7.2 million from one of London’s oldest and largest educational establishments: South Bank University (LSBU) in Southwark.

By Brian Sims

The contract covers the provision of security services for the whole LSBU campus – including student accommodation and other outlying facilities – for the next five years.

VSG was awarded this prestigious contract in the face of fierce competition for reasons that included the company’s proven high level of customer service skills, its realistic costs and a demonstrably strong commitment to a consultative approach in security provision.

“There are special challenges involved in providing security services on a university campus,” said Colin Holland, head of security at LSBU. “For example, many students are living away from home for the first time, so they are more than usually at risk. This means that, in addition to ensuring the highest levels of safety and security, the security team also has a significant welfare role to play.”

Holland continued: “We were impressed by VSG’s approach to these challenges. The company was very happy to consult with us about developing practical and efficient solutions, and it also places great emphasis on training its staff so that they can respond effectively in all of the situations they are likely to encounter.”

Transfer of staff under TUPE

The VSG team at LSBU will comprise 44 security officers, most of whom will transfer from the previous provider of security services under a TUPE arrangement. All of the officers will receive extensive additional training to prepare them for the enhanced service that VSG is providing, and to aid them in the development of their own careers.

The officers will work principally from an on-site office, and provide coverage for the whole campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

At the commencement of its contract with LSBU, VSG will carry out a detailed evaluation of existing security arrangements, including penetration resistance testing and ‘mystery shopping’ exercises. The results obtained will not only help the company to formulate its training programme, but also allow it to put forward a security development plan that is designed to help LSBU achieve economy in its security provisions without sacrificing quality.

In addition to the security guarding arrangements for which VSG will initially be responsible, the plan will also look at providing an holistic solution to security which combines physical and electronic security measures, resulting in an overall Best Practice solution.