Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of facilities services and solutions

pressrelease

The impact of the AI Act on the facilities Industry

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On Wednesday, the EU passed the world’s first comprehensive AI law, the Artificial Intelligence Act. This Act is set to establish unprecedented standards for AI usage and regulatory compliance. Its significance will be particularly pronounced for the private security and facilities industries in the EU. However, the significance of this Act extends far beyond EU borders, potentially influencing future legislative approaches in other markets.

Notably, the UK has outlined its approach to AI regulation in its 2023 white paper. The UK’s strategy shares common principles with the EU’s legislation. The white paper advocates for a new regulatory framework for high-risk AI systems and risk assessments for AI tool usage.

Implications for the Private Security Industry


Central to the EU’s AI Act are provisions designed to safeguard fundamental rights and public safety. The legislation classifies AI systems based on their risk potential, with stringent regulations for high-risk applications and an outright ban on specific uses such as certain untargeted facial recognition and mass surveillance techniques. For the private security industry in the EU, these measures may necessitate a careful evaluation of surveillance practices and technologies in the future. The act prohibits the use of AI systems that “create or expand facial recognition databases through the untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage”.

The Act restricts the use of ‘real-time’ remote biometric identification systems in publicly accessible areas for law enforcement purposes, permitting their usage only under specific, tightly defined circumstances, such as the search for victims of serious crimes or the prevention of substantial, imminent threats.

The act will present challenges in terms of compliance and operational adjustments for Security providers as they deploy AI. Security firms will need to conduct comprehensive audits of their AI technologies, ensuring alignment with the Act’s requirements. A crucial component of adapting to the new landscape involves educating both staff and stakeholders about the ethical, legal, and operational implications of the AI Act.

The Artificial Intelligence Act is a landmark in the regulation of AI technologies, with far-reaching implications for the private security industry. Ultimately, this legislation aims to pave the way for a safer, more ethical future. As the industry adapts, it remains to be seen how these regulations will shape the landscape of AI in security. Bidvest Noonan is closely monitoring the developments and its dedicated teams are working together to ensure compliance with the Act and careful consideration of the use of AI technology in our business.

Commentary by Peter Smyth, Director of Technology & Innovation, And Olga Mitropoulou, Director of Risk & Compliance

David Barker joins Bidvest Noonan as Chief Growth Officer

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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.

Julie Mernagh joins Bidvest Noonan as its new Chief People & Culture Officer.

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We are pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Mernagh as our Chief People & Culture Officer. Julie’s extensive experience and proven track record in human resources, talent development, and organisational culture make her an ideal fit for aligning with Bidvest Noonan’s needs and values.

An Impressive Background

In her previous role as the Global Head of Leadership and Talent Development at Vodafone, Julie was instrumental in developing innovative leadership and talent strategies across Europe and Africa. Julie drove pioneering Diversity & Inclusion policies, enabling Vodafone to become a leader in this space.

Julie’s professional journey includes a senior leadership role at AIB, a major commercial bank in Ireland and the UK, where she directed organisational culture initiatives central to the people strategy. With over a decade of consulting experience at renowned firms like PwC and Accenture, she specialised in areas such as strategy, people & change, and led large-scale transformations across Europe.

Vision for Bidvest Noonan

As Chief People & Culture Officer at Bidvest Noonan, Julie will lead the People & Culture team, focusing on developing and executing a people strategy to foster an enhanced workplace environment and improve overall employee experience.

Bidvest Noonan CEO, Declan Doyle said “Julie’s experience and values align perfectly with the needs of our business. She has a proven track record of building successful HR strategies, transforming colleague experiences, and unlocking potential. I am confident that she will be highly successful at Bidvest Noonan and I am delighted that she has joined us”.

Julie said ” I am delighted to join Bidvest Noonan, an ambitious company that is passionate about putting its people first. Bidvest Noonan is serious about investing in its people and culture agenda and creating employee experiences that will enable their growth trajectory. I am looking forward to making a difference for our colleagues and customers.”

Bidvest Noonan Promotes Lorraine Monaghan to Drive its Operations in the Education Sector in Ireland

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Bidvest Noonan has announced the appointment of Lorraine Monaghan as the Director of Operations, Education, for its Irish operations. This development comes as the company charts an impressive growth trajectory, underpinned by its commitment to excellence in its provision of cleaning, security, and M&E maintenance services across the country.

An experienced professional, Lorraine has seen her career with Bidvest Noonan flourish since joining the ranks in April 2014. Her journey, from Customer Service Representative to her new role, is marked by an impressive track record of success having built strong and lasting relationships with some of the leading institutes and universities across the country.

Lorraine, an IWFM graduate with a Diploma in Facilities Management, has held a series of progressively responsible positions in the company, most notably as a dedicated Contract Manager for one of Dublin’s most renowned universities and later as an Operations Manager where she handled an expanding client base in the education sector. These experiences have provided her with a unique perspective and the necessary skills to succeed in her new role as Director of Operations.

Mary Kealy, Managing Director for Bidvest Noonan’s Workplace Solutions, underscores the importance of this appointment: “Lorraine’s promotion marks a significant milestone in our growth strategy. Her in-depth understanding of the sector, coupled with her proven ability to deliver results, make her an asset as she steps into this role. We are very confident that she will drive further success within our education portfolio.”

Lorraine, enthusiastic about taking on the new role, shared: “This is a significant step for me at an exciting time for Bidvest Noonan. I am privileged to have worked with some of the best talent in the sector and this experience has prepared me for the challenge ahead. My vision is to build on our strong foundation and continue delivering the exceptional services that Bidvest Noonan is known for, while also exploring innovative ways to grow and provide more value for our customers.”

The appointment underpins Bidvest Noonan’s commitment to investing in its people, promoting talent from within, and driving robust growth.

Security Experts Gather in Dublin for Ground-breaking Counter-Terrorism Conference

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Bidvest Noonan, a leading provider of security and facilities services, is bringing TinyG, the global counter-terrorism information network, to Ireland for the first time as part of its Counter-Terrorism and Major Incidents conference. The event will take place at the iconic Croke Park Stadium in Dublin this month. Due to the high level of interest in the event, places for the conference were booked out rapidly, with strong demand from security and facilities professionals across various sectors.

Terrorism continues to evolve in complexity, posing a threat to security worldwide. Bidvest Noonan and TinyG aim to provide an invaluable platform for sharing the latest strategies and technologies for mitigating these threats. Attendees will hear from a host of experts, including representatives of the FBI and Ireland’s Special Tactics Operations Command. The keynote will be delivered by Neil Basu QMP, a highly accomplished former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the sole officer to hold the top three positions in Counter Terrorism Policing. A recipient of the Queen’s medal, Neil played a pivotal role in leading the response to the 2017 terror attacks and went on to head the UK’s CT Policing organization, succeeding Sir Mark Rowley in 2018.

The conference also highlights the important role that security guards can play in countering terrorism. Security guards are often the first line of defence against security threats and play a crucial role in protecting people and assets. The conference will provide insights into the latest strategies and technologies for enhancing the capabilities of security guards in countering terrorism.

Cormac Sheils, CEO of Bidvest Noonan in Ireland, said, “We are delighted to bring TinyG to Ireland for the first time and provide our customers with the opportunity to hear from such an esteemed group of experts. I’m looking forward to attending, and I know the information shared will be invaluable”.

Nick O’Connor, Operations Director, added, “As a career security professional, I believe this conference provides a unique opportunity to hear from international experts in counter-terrorism, exchange knowledge and best practices, and network with other security professionals.”

Dave Evans of TinyG said, “TinyG is committed to fostering collaboration and intelligence sharing among security professionals. By partnering with Bidvest Noonan, we are excited to bring our expertise to Ireland and create new opportunities for learning and cooperation in the fight against terrorism.”

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.