Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of Facilities Management Servicess

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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 appoints a new Chief Financial Officer for its business in Ireland.

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We are thrilled to announce Mark Holligan has joined Bidvest Noonan as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for our Irish business.

The appointment follows a period of very strong growth for our business, solidifying our leadership position for services such as cleaning, security, and M&E maintenance services.

A qualified chartered accountant and tax advisor, Mark brings with him more than 12 years of experience to the role, with expertise in financial planning and analysis, taxation, risk management and compliance, and more recently acquisition integrations.

Mark has previously worked across various industries including investment banking, technology, and data and analytics. He has international experience in Australia and mainland Europe. Prior to joining Bidvest Noonan, Mark served as Finance Director for the Irish operations of a multinational data and analytics company, where he also acted as European Accounting Leader.

Mark succeeds Kathy McDermott who has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer for Bidvest Noonan’s group operations.

Commenting on the appointment, Bidvest Noonan’s CEO for Ireland, Cormac Sheils, said:

“With Mark on board, we are well-positioned to take our business to the next level. His impressive track record and financial acumen make him the perfect fit for our team. I have every confidence he will help us achieve our goals and continue to grow our business in the years ahead.”

Mark added: “I am delighted to take up this position as CFO at a very exciting time for the business. I look forward to working with my new colleagues across our Irish business. Together, we will build upon the company’s strong foundation and achieve even greater success.”

The Importance of Investing in Quality and Continuous Security Training – Stephen Devlin

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Stephen Devlin, Bidvest Noonan’s Senior Operations Manager in Retail, shares with us why training is crucial in security, the importance of continuous development, how Bidvest Noonan supports our security teams, and the benefits of investing in training for security colleagues.

Why is training crucial to providing a successful security service?

When it comes to training in security, never cut corners. To produce high-performing teams, it is essential that they are given the right tools. At Bidvest Noonan, we invest in our teams to make sure they are future-ready  

The importance of this becomes evident when security officers first get deployed to a customer’s site. Having gone through initial training, they will have the awareness and understanding needed to hit the ground running, applying all their knowledge and expertise to the needs of our customers from day one.

How important is it to provide continuous training and development?

To truly build a strong and effective security team, there needs to be a clear path for officers to progress and develop their skills and expertise over time. This is where continuous training and careful management come into play.

By providing ongoing training there is an opportunity to make them better equipped to handle the ever-changing security environment. This not only benefits security professionals themselves but also ensures the best possible level of protection is provided to customers.

How is Bidvest Noonan ensuring consistency with this training?

In our business, we work hard to provide the best possible training and do so in many ways including in-person workshops, simulation exercises and drills, mentoring and coaching programmes, and online training courses and webinars.

We ensure our security teams get regular training on some key elements like first-aid, conflict management, and terrorism awareness. Each customer has unique requirements, and our colleagues need to know how to identify what are the potential risks for them.

I also believe it’s important that our security teams, especially those on site, have easy access to training programmes. We have made many of our modules available to colleagues through our online Learning Management System (LMS). Through e-learning platforms and mobile apps, we make it convenient for our security personnel to complete on-the-job training requirements.

Our security management teams do regular performance evaluations and skill assessments of our teams. This allows us to measure the effectiveness of what we do and identify areas where additional training may be needed. We also regularly review and update how we deliver our training to ensure that it stays current with the latest security threats and best practices

What are the long-term benefits of investment in this training?

I am a firm believer that investing in the growth of your security colleagues will reap the rewards of better employee engagement, retention, and ultimately, a better service to customers. That’s why it’s important to view training and development not as an expense, but as a valuable investment in the future of the business.

I am proud to work with many colleagues, who like myself, have benefited from strong mentorship and guidance from people inside the business and the training that has been made available. It has allowed me to progress to where I am today.

Raising the Bar: GMP Microbiologist, Denise Cahill, joins Bidvest Noonan to transform our cleaning services in the Life Sciences sector

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We recently welcomed Denise Cahill to the Bidvest Noonan team. Denise is a GMP Microbiologist and is working with our team in the Life Sciences sector. We asked Denise what attracted her to a science-based career, why high-standard GMP practices are important, and what expertise and passions she will bring to her role at Bidvest Noonan.

What led you to a science-based career?

I always enjoyed Life Sciences growing up, but it was only later in my life that I gained the confidence to take it up as a field of study, so I made a decision to return to education as a mature student to pursue my ambitions.

In my studies, I decided to specialise in microbiology. It resonated with me because it is relevant to all areas of life. I find it fascinating how microorganisms, that cannot be seen with the naked eye, can benefit health, and in other cases, pose a threat. This is why contamination control within our GMP areas is crucial.

What I also love about microbiology is how it has enabled technological advancement in the life sciences sector, and indeed healthcare. For example, the use of genetically engineered bacteria to produce medicines, such as insulin. The development of such important medicines can only take place in sterile environments, emphasising the importance of GMP cleaning teams and the specialised training that is required.

Why are high-standard GMP practices so important?

Adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a crucial step in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs, medical devices, and certain food products. These regulatory standards state that manufacturers, processors, and packagers must take the necessary measures to guarantee that their products meet rigorous safety and quality standards. GMP compliance is vital for protecting public health and ensuring that consumers receive the highest quality products.

Our cleaning teams play such a critical part in this for our customers in this sector. A lot of the products produced in the facilities we are responsible for, develop lifesaving drugs for vulnerable patients. Our GMP teams are committed to providing the highest standards, which in turn safeguards the health of people all over the world.

What part of your role at Bidvest Noonan will help ensure these standards are met?

My main role as a GMP Microbiologist is to provide guidance and support to ensure the services we provide adhere to industry standards. I develop and organise specific training for our teams in areas such as contamination control, good documentation practices, and other areas to ensure our colleagues have a good understanding of their roles and why these procedures and practices are so important. Much of this includes, for example, the setup of procedures, documentation, validation, personnel, and the layout of the facilities. I also try to find ways to innovate on these practices. Everything is designed to ensure efficiency and risk mitigation.

Part of my role also involves visiting sites across the country. I work with teams on different customer sites, sharing my expertise and offering support where required. This means I have a very varied role and every day is a learning day. I very much enjoy working together with our customers, establishing tailored solutions in line with their own processes. This is something that makes my role exciting and keeps me on my toes!

How does your passion for GMP and microbiology inform and enhance your role?

I have always had a genuine interest in microbiology and GMP. I like the structure GMP delivers. Getting stuck into a problem and helping develop the solution is something I am passionate about. I like that issues can be assessed methodically, which suits my nature, and it’s usually a collaborative effort, which I believe is the best way to find the solution to any problem. I find it a rewarding experience contributing to problem-solving by sharing my expertise, it gives me a sense of being part of something bigger and contributing towards a broader, common goal.

Making Air Travel More Accessible – A Spotlight on PRM Services with Michèle Hill

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Airports are known for their busy nature, with thousands of people passing through their doors every day, connecting people from all over the world. While a focus on providing core services such as cleaning and security is important, there are many passengers that intend to travel through the long terminal corridors who require additional support.

We sat down with Michèle Hill, Bidvest Noonan’s Contract Manager at Shannon Airport, to gain a deeper understanding of the People with Restricted Mobility (PRM) Service, some of the fundamentals that need to be in place, and what the aims of our PRM teams are here at Bidvest Noonan.

What exactly is a PRM Service, and what is involved when delivering it?

A ‘People with Restricted Mobility’ (PRM) Service is designed to assist individuals who have mobility challenges such as walking, standing, or climbing stairs. The service also assists those who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches. Support also extends beyond physical impairments and also includes accommodating those with visual and auditory impairments.

Providing a PRM service involves assisting those who need additional support at every stage along the passenger journey through the airport. This includes helping departing passengers from check-in, through security, to boarding the plane. It also includes assisting arriving passengers from the aircraft through immigration and baggage reclaim, and out to the arrivals hall.

All of this is designed to help passengers navigate the airport with ease and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable journey.

What fundamentals must be in place to deliver a PRM Service?

Knowing the terminal inside out in order to navigate it effectively, being aware of where all equipment and mobility aids are at all times, and having the appropriate training to assist passengers of all restricted mobility levels are some of the key basic elements I believe are required to deliver an effective PRM Service.

However, delivering an effective People with Restricted Mobility (PRM) service is not just about checking off a list of necessities, it’s much more than that. A holistic approach should be taken.

Recognising that navigating through an airport with physical limitations can be a source of stress and discomfort for individuals, and taking steps to alleviate those challenges is important. That is why our teams go that extra step to make each passenger feel warmly welcomed, by making an effort to personally greet them and learn their name.

This personable touch can often help ease any anxiety passengers might have and make the experience more relaxed for them. This can be really important if they are travelling alone.

What do our PRM teams at Bidvest Noonan aim to do?

Our PRM teams have one core focus, and that is to ensure passengers who have restricted mobility or other impairments have a seamless experience on their journey and get to where they need to be, all while enjoying their time at the airport. Providing them with the reassurance they need that all their needs are being cared for, is what makes the difference. No matter what disability or mobility issue the passenger may have, we make it our mission to remain adaptive, flexible, and accommodating to passengers throughout the airport.

Our Teams in Focus – DCU Cleaning Team

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“We always prioritise the needs of our customer because we understand by doing this, we create a remarkable experience and raise their expectations. We also recognise that without a strong team, none of this can happen.”-  Amanda Gomes, our DCU cleaning team’s manager. 

This week we want to highlight the great work our cleaning team at Dublin City University (DCU) does throughout the year. ‘Teamwork and quality are the key to success’ – is the motto of this diverse team.

This group needs to be adaptable during the summer months as the demand for residences rises in that season across DCU’s 3 campuses. Although their duties vary slightly between semesters and summertime, the main duties involve housekeeping and maintaining the common areas, ensuring they are both clean and tidy. Our DCU team plays a key part in keeping the campus apartments’ public and residential areas high in standards too. 

We asked Amanda what the biggest challenges are on site, and how the team overcomes them. She commented:

“Large footfall is always a constant challenge. Covid-19, students’ parties, building/ maintenance works, adverse weather conditions, and events are also some others to name a few. But we are always prepared, and ready to support our client, delivering the best service possible for the university.”

A huge well done to Amanda and our whole DCU team for their hard work and dedication in fulfilling their daily duties to the highest standards.