Geoff Whitfield has enjoyed almost unbroken success throughout his career. First it was in the Regular Army. Latterly, following jobs in retail and banking, he has spent the last twelve years at Glaxo Wellcome. Follow that with the energy and enthusiasm which he brings to the demanding role of chairman of the ASIS UK Chapter and you start to get a measure of the man.
It doesn’t finish there, because at a time when most men are thinking about putting up their feet or lowering their golf handicap, he becomes one of the driving forces behind the newly formed and highly exciting Security Institute. On this occasion, however, we have singled him for an achievement which, I suspect, will give him a very considerable amount of satisfaction. In short, he is the first person we have selected as the caring client.
During his time as head of security at Glaxo Wellcome Research & Development, he has never had to change the contract company which has provided the manned guarding service. While the name of that company may have changed over the years from Argus Shield to Pinkerton and now, Securitas Guarding Services, Geoff has remained steadfast and loyal in his support for his chosen contractor.
In-house, out-house
Four years ago he and his team went down a track which most experts in manned guarding still consider the most difficult one in which to succeed — he combined in-house security guards and supervision with contract security officers.
So often this combination can become a virtual minefield, especially when the in-house team, who invariably enjoy better terms and conditions than the contract staff, lack the maturity to treat their contract colleagues with the support and interpersonal skills so necessary in welding an effective team. The huge disparity in basic terms therefore makes for a difficult operation in which to try to build a team spirit. So how did Geoff do it?
From his first days with Glaxo Wellcome, Geoff very carefully selected the management and supervisory team. It would be very easy for any one individual in this team to undermine the initiative by constantly criticising the contract company’s contribution. Geoff and his senior management ensured that this did not happen by sticking very close to the contract, and encouraging the supervisors to take the same interest in the contract staff as they did in their own. It really has worked.
Expenses-paid training
Geoff then put into place a programme of training, which the contract staff will have seen as being almost unique within the industry. Within six months of their joining the Securitas team at Glaxo Wellcome, they attend a three-day special security training course, at the client’s expense, at a local hotel. A full range of topics are covered including threat assessment, basic skills of a security officer, report writing, the law of the land, customer service, communication skills, search techniques and a special presentation on animal rights activities. Geoff’s own presence at each course gives it the real emphasis, which ultimately makes the officers feel very much part of the Glaxo Wellcome team.
These officers will of course already feel at home, because they will have been interviewed by Glaxo Wellcome management to gauge initial suitability and then provided with every possible item of clothing to effectively carry out the task. A continual programme of on-site training will significantly enhance their professional knowledge, so that they come to the three day-course motivated and eager to learn.
When the contract recruit joins the Glaxo Wellcome team, he or she is left in no doubt about the future. They are advised that there are currently no opportunities for recruitment into the in-house team. However, at the same time, Geoff and his team would not stand in the way of their advancement within Securitas if a suitable opportunity should present itself.
Wellcome benefits
Geoff rewards loyalty with a whole range of benefits for the contract staff. An excellent basic hourly wage rate is supplemented by a weekly bonus for good turnout and timekeeping; Christmas training is followed by a very popular seasonal lunch during which each individual is given a Christmas present from the company. Individuals are encouraged to join up to the sports & social club and take part in the health club activities. They also benefit from a subsidised canteen.
Don’t think it is all one-sided from Glaxo Wellcome. Geoff will encourage the contract staff to take up the Securitas pension scheme to provide for the future, so he and his management team go well beyond the norm in cementing the relationship between client and contractor.
It is not difficult to see why Geoff Whitfield has been so successful in life. He follows the axiom of ‘treating others as you would wish to be treated yourself’. It is little wonder therefore that, in an industry which doesn’t always look after its own, he is an obvious choice as our first ‘caring client’.
Source
SMT
