Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of facilities services and solutions

ED&I

Women in Security: Overcoming Old Challenges in a New Era

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In an ideal world, conversations about the representation of women in security and leadership roles should not be necessary. But the equal society we envision is still in the future, though it is one we are progressively approaching. 

It is essential to recognise the progress made towards gender equality, especially in industries where women are underrepresented, such as the security industry. However, despite the increasing awareness of the impact that women can make in the security sector, there is still a long way to go in achieving gender diversity and inclusion. In this article, we speak to Melanie Innes, Key Account Director, and Sharon Kane, Operations Manager, about the challenges and opportunities for women in the industry.

How do you view the attractiveness of the security industry for women?

Melanie: The security industry has faced challenges with gender diversity in the past. However, this has significantly changed over time as more women enter and stay in the sector due to equal opportunities for both genders. Today’s change-makers in the security industry are strong women with a change-oriented ideology. The industry today offers a wider range of tasks that do not only include manned guarding but also customer liaison roles, which broadens the industry and makes it more accessible for women.

Sharon:  There has been a misperception among some that the security industry can be challenging and too physically demanding for women who aspire to work in the field. For views to change, the industry needs to be more than just inclusive. It means that our industry must establish a culture that promotes diversity and values the contributions of women. This can involve initiatives like setting up leadership programs and flexible work schedules for women, among other things. For example, Bidvest Noonan recently signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge that supports colleagues experiencing menopause and making reasonable adjustments in their working schedules and environments.

Why do you think the industry feels less appealing to women?

Melanie: The lack of professional networking opportunities and mentorship remains a big challenge for women in security. I believe that professional networking opportunities and mentoring programs are crucial for women to rise to the top in this industry. This also means that women should seek out mentors and colleagues who can provide direction, guidance, and support which would help them form strong networks.

Sharon: Insufficient representation is one of the key challenges women encounter in security and management roles to date. I came across a study which mentioned that only 11% of security leadership positions worldwide are held by women. This is not a particularly appealing number, and the problem is that even this 11% of women are underrepresented in the sector. It can be challenging for young women to picture themselves in senior roles when they lack a female role model in the industry and examples of strong successful women in security. Melanie and I are fortunate to have had strong women role models in our business units, both are led by female Managing Directors.

Can you share your thoughts on perceived gender bias in the industry?

Melanie: For a business to be productive overall and to combat gender bias, inclusion and diversity must be achieved. To deal with the shifting landscape, organisations should make sure they can keep attracting and retaining talented women. To attract more women into the industry, and to promote female leaders, there must be a desire to make the right decisions from the leaders and do so with positive intent. The fact that a woman is the Managing Director of Bidvest Noonan London Solutions Business Unit is an incredibly motivating example.

Sharon: It is true that gender bias remains an issue and it is a global problem across different industries. I learned recently that the global average gender disparity is around 31%. In order to work towards closing this gender gap in our industry, a lot of effort has to filter down from management. One of the most effective measures that a company can take is to develop an environment that promotes ‘conscious inclusion’. 

What advice would you offer to a woman considering a career in security?

Melanie: There has never been a better time to pursue a career in the security industry. Take advantage of all the opportunities that are offered to you. At the end of the day, it’s important that women realise they can accomplish everything they set their minds to. Someone considering a career in security should concentrate on being persistent, being able to take constructive criticism, and having confidence in their skills. 

Sharon: Women can achieve great heights in this industry. Women do indeed face unique challenges in their journey, but with perseverance and support from their colleagues and mentors, anything is possible. It’s time to challenge the way women are perceived inside and outside this industry.

Bidvest Noonan scoops Best Diversity, Inclusion and Equity award at Fingal Business Awards 2022

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Bidvest Noonan has been awarded the Best Diversity, Inclusion and Equity at the Fingal Business Awards 2022, held at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport in Santry on Friday, the 18th of November 2022.

We are very proud to be recognised for our work in this area once again. People from all across our business have played a role in this success and especially those who are part of our EDI Council. We are proud of our achievements but we are also motivated to keep improving.

Bidvest Noonan Scoops Inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Award

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Bidvest Noonan team receiving Diversity award on stage

Bidvest Noonan, a market-leading provider of facilities services that employs over 27,000 people across the UK and Ireland, has been named the inaugural winner of the Diversity & Inclusion in Security award at the 2022 ISIA Awards. The award was introduced this year by the Irish Security Industry Association to recognise companies in the private security industry that excel in creating an inclusive culture that encourages diversity in the workplace.

The win comes at a time when the value and importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace is in sharp focus across many sectors. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion programmes seek to ensure that people are treated equally, valued and made to feel welcome regardless of their gender, ethnicity, faith, age, sexual orientation, or other differences.

In recent years, Bidvest Noonan has announced a number of investments and initiatives to improve its performance in the area of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. In 2021, the business launched an ED&I Council with the aim of developing a more diverse workforce and a more inclusive workplace. Since its inception the council has overseen a number of new initiatives including campaigns to encourage more women to join the security industry. This year, the company was recognised by Investors in Diversity and Diversity Mark for its work to embed Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) across the organisation. 

Commenting on the win, ED&I Chairperson for Ireland, Marina Goncalves said: “I’m delighted that our work in the area of ED&I was recognised at this year’s ISIA Awards. We believe supporting equality, diversity and inclusion is a moral imperative, and we know that respecting and valuing our differences makes us a stronger and more innovative business.

We want all our people to feel welcomed, valued and able to achieve their potential at Bidvest Noonan.”

Environmental, Social and Governance Director John King added:

“We are very proud of the impact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programmes are having, and we continuously search for new ways to make a difference. For example, we recently began collaborating with organisations across the UK and Ireland, such as Business in the Community, to help marginalised and disadvantaged groups gain employment and access opportunities for education. This approach is bringing new talent into our business and providing people with the opportunity to have a successful and rewarding career.”

Bidvest Noonan are exclusive sponsors of The Green Pharmaceutical Award at the 2023 Green Awards

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Bidvest Noonan is delighted to announce that we are Gold Sponsors for the 2023 Green Awards. As part of our sponsorship deal, we will be exclusive sponsors of The Green Pharmaceutical Award category for the event.

This award recognises organisations in the pharmaceutical industry that use sustainable resources and innovative practices for development, while also prioritising the needs of the wider environment and society.

Bidvest Noonan is the trusted partner for many world-leading and best-known life sciences organisations across the UK & Ireland. Our customers include companies who produce many of the world’s most important and ground-breaking medicines and biotechnologies.

Life Sciences Lead at Bidvest Noonan, Sarah Scanlon, has said:

“We are delighted to get behind the 2023 Green Awards and support such an important category in the Green Pharmaceutical Award. I have seen first-hand some of the incredible work underway in the life sciences sector on both a sustainability and innovation front.

We take pride in supporting these institutions and the sustainable practices they undertake as well as the innovations they create to help improve the lives of everyone around the world. They trust us to look after their facilities so they can focus on their vital work.”

Bidvest Noonan provides a full range of services to our customers in the life sciences sector ranging from facilities management to cleaning and security services. We have a long and proven track record of developing outstanding contamination control programs, and service solutions for customers in the life sciences sector.

Over €7,000 raised for our charity partner, Enable Ireland

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We are delighted to share that as a result of a recent fundraising event, we have donated just over €7,000 to our charity partner, Enable Ireland.

Bidvest Noonan’s ESG Director, John King, and colleagues in our Irish business organised a Golf Fundraising Event recently for Enable Ireland. The event saw people from around our business, suppliers, and customers, come together to raise funds in support of a great cause.

These funds will support the essential services Enable Ireland provides for children and young people with disabilities in Ireland. This is the first of a series of fundraising initiatives planned to support Enable Ireland by Bidvest Noonan

ESG Director, John King, has said:

“I want to thank our business, colleagues, suppliers, and customers for their generosity. We believe that Enable Ireland’s work is vital, and raising funds through these events goes a long way in supporting them to create a better future for children with disabilities, and ensuring they reach their full potential.”

National Fundraising Manager for Enable Ireland, Donal Kitt, said:

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Bidvest Noonan for their efforts on our behalf. Funds raised are going towards Enable Ireland’s Galway Services refurbishment to support 700 children and young people in Galway City and County.”

This year saw Bidvest Noonan announce Enable Ireland as its charity partner for its Irish business. This partnership will see Bidvest Noonan commit to using its resources to support Enable Ireland’s services for children and young people with disabilities.

Bidvest Noonan signs Menopause Workplace Pledge

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Bidvest Noonan has signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge, developed by the charity Wellbeing of Women, and launched a new menopause support tool kit to ensure people across the group are supported and feel comfortable discussing their needs as they experience menopause.

Menopause can be a challenging time. Women usually experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being 51, and symptoms can last several years. However, menopause can also occur at a younger age. The symptoms can include hot flushes, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint pains, and low mood. These symptoms can be debilitating. 

Menopause can also affect people from transgender, non-binary and intersex communities, and its symptoms and impact can vary among different groups. Men, especially those in their late 40s and early 50s, can also experience ‘male menopause’ which involves the development of physical and emotional symptoms.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) states that three out of five working women between the ages of 45- 55 who are experiencing menopause symptoms say it has a negative impact on them at work. Bidvest Noonan’s new menopause support tool kit aims to make the business an inclusive place workplace. The toolkit sets out how colleagues experiencing menopause can be supported, including how reasonable adjustments can be made to working practices and working environments for affected employees to ensure their comfort and well-being.

The Menopause Workplace Pledge requires signatories to:

  • Recognise that the menopause can be an issue in the workplace and those experiencing it need support
  • Talk openly, positively, and respectfully about the menopause
  • Actively support and inform employees affected by the menopause

Mary Kealy, Managing Director, Workplace Solutions at Bidvest Noonan said “While the topic of menopause is not typically something that comes up in conversation at work, this can be where people find their symptoms most difficult to manage. We feel it is important to make it easier to talk about menopause and provide support for people experiencing challenging symptoms, therefore we have also implemented the role of Menopause Champion so our people can speak freely and feel comfortable they are supported.”

Emma Rahim, HR Director said “We feel it is important to dispel the taboo surrounding this topic. We are working to ensure our people are well informed about the menopause and enabling them to access support and resources. We want to ensure that our people see menopause as a natural phase and feel confident discussing their needs with us and how we can support them in the workplace.”

John King, Environmental, Social and Governance Director added “At Bidvest Noonan, we are committed to ensuring we are an employer of choice and making the workplace a welcoming space for all our colleagues. We want our colleagues to feel empowered and supported in any challenges they face”.