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Sodexo achieves information security certification
Sodexo has been awarded IS0 27001 certification - the internationally recognised standard for information security management. Sodexo's IS&T team, led by Helen Willington - quality, PMO and compliance manager - achieved the certification for the company's data centre, which houses its computer servers, following nine months of detailed preparation for a rigorous assessment by the certification board, DAS.
The certification assessor had to be satisfied that Sodexo's IS&T data centre management team was systematically analysing the business's information security risks, that a comprehensive suite of information security controls was in place covering technical, physical, process and people risks, and there was a strong security management organisation in operation to continually review information security requirements to meet the changing needs of the business and external threats. These controls include measures such as system access controls, strong password policies, laptop encryption, safely housing servers away from risk of fire or flood and ensuring web browsing guidelines are followed.
Certification means that Sodexo has demonstrable capability in managing sensitive, confidential data held as part of its involvement in contracts with, for example, Government departments, local authorities or NHS hospitals.
Mark Mitchelson, chief technology officer, Sodexo, UK & Ireland, said: "This is a huge achievement for the IS&T team and puts us in a very good place in terms of servicing complex, data sensitive contracts. Current and prospective clients are understandably becoming increasingly concerned with information assurance in the digital world. At Sodexo, we view it as essential that all means are used to maintain high security to protect information we hold electronically. IS0 27001 certification is a great endorsement of our expertise and puts us at the forefront of information security in the support services sector."
Take up the offer of a free audit
Cleaning contractors, facilities managers and other buyers of soft tissue products or plastic refuse sacks concerned about the quality of their purchase can call the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) for a free audit. This service, also available to distributors, is provided by Gordon Butt, the CHSA’s auditor of the Manufacturing Standard Accreditation Scheme.
The Manufacturing Standard Accreditation Scheme covers soft tissue products, plastic refuse sacks and industrial cotton mops. It is supported by all the major manufacturers in the industry, each of whom has passed the CHSA’s stringent auditing process. The scheme sets out labelling and dimensional requirements and a system of production control and inspection that ensures accurate product description and so guarantees:
• consistency of supply - customers receive what they order.
• accurate labelling - customers get what they pay for.
• fully audited manufacturers - CHSA standard, your guarantee.
Graham Fletcher, general secretary of the CHSA, explained: “If you can't see the CHSA Scheme logo on the pack, or are not buying tissue or plastic refuse sacks from a registered member, there is a greater chance you may be getting less than you bargained for. Should you suspect any of your products of being short measure please contact us and we can arrange for free product testing. It’s easy and costs you nothing. Simply visit www.freetissueaudit.co.uk to have a soft tissue product audited or www.freesackaudit.co.uk for plastic refuse sacks.
Complete the online form and we will come back to you straight away to begin the audit process. With the results, buyers and distributors have the information they need to make sure they are not ripped off by the unscrupulous manufacturers who have chosen to remain outside the scheme.”
Gordon Butt, who previously worked for the Trading Standards Service, uses a number of techniques to audit the products and make sure the labelling accurately reflects the content. These include a calibrated rewinder, a gravimetric test and unrolling the product onto a flat surface of known measurement - he selects the one most suited for the product in question. All these methods are specified in the standard.
Team building success
Team building exercises can take many different forms these days, far from the original ‘boilerhouse’ meetings held in hotel conference rooms. Some of the imported ideas now include group breaks, weekenders, and paintball eventing. CK Group (formerly City & Kent) and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust recently went back to basics with a good game of football!
The challenge began when Steve Wedgwood (assistant director of estates & facilities at the NHS Trust) contacted Ian Pether (MD of CK Group) in April to ask if they would be interested in a charity football fun match between some of their cleaning staff at Maidstone Hospital and CK’s specialist cleaning operatives.
Despite being a committed golfer, Pether could not resist a challenge, so this was accepted, with CK Group sponsoring the match. The Trust, in turn, provided refreshments after the match and, after receiving a donation from its League of Friends following a collection at the ground, its share of the cost of the kit for its players.
Although CK Group won 5-2, the game was competitive to the extent that, on the final whistle, Steve Wedgwood immediately issued a rematch invite. Maidstone crowned it by a great spread of food after the game. Perhaps they’ll win the trophy next time?
www.ckgroupservices.com
Mitie to inspire British start-sups to success
Mitie has joined a roster of companies as a founding sponsor of StartUp Britain, a Government-supported initiative to help aspiring entrepreneurs in the UK. The FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing and energy services company was named as a founding sponsor of StartUp Britain alongside other blue-chip businesses including Barclays, Microsoft and Intel.
Mitie has pledged its support and commitment to back British start-ups as part of its response to the Government’s call for an ‘enterprise- led’ recovery. StartUp Britain will help budding entrepreneurs around the country by providing access to a range of resources including marketing support, mentorships and direct engagement with successful entrepreneurs.
Mitie has a long history of working with management teams to start and grow businesses, and has participated in over 80 successful start-ups in its 23 year history.
John Telling, group corporate affairs director of Mitie, said: "Mitie supports growing businesses through our Mitie Entrepreneurial Fund, and StartUp Britain is in line with our own efforts to encourage and support enterprise in the UK. We are looking forward to working with the campaign team to ensure anyone starting and growing a business is given the support they need to take their next steps."
Mitie launched its own £10 million Entrepreneurial Fund in January to support management teams with innovative ideas for starting mutually owned businesses in Britain. It is open to people from both the private and public sectors who want to run a business with Mitie’s support.
www.startupbritain.org
www.mitie.com
Charity golf day
Nilfisk demonstrated its ‘closer to market’ strategy recently with a corporate golf day at the Forest of Arden golf and country club in Coventry. Proceeds from the day went to St Nicholas Hospice Care, a charity dedicated to caring for the terminally ill and their families in the Eastern region. 10 teams of golfers competed for a range of titles in glorious sunshine.
Nilfisk UK general manager, Stewart Dennett, said: “Our ‘closer to market’ strategy is very important to us. In order for us to adapt our products and services we need to be closer to key customers, to understand their issues and their market place. This event is the first of many intended to allow us to do just that. The mix of customers enjoying the day was perfect.”
1st prize went to Greg Robinson of ISS. The 2nd prize went to Mick Liffey of Ankef Cleaning Systems, closely followed by Mick’s son in 3rd place, Tom Liffey. Tom Liffey also took the award for longest drive.
Stewart Dennett presented the prizes, and was delighted to find himself in the overall winning team accompanied by Greg Robinson together with Chris Melnecki and Jason Rudkin of Briggs Equipment.
www.nilfisk.co.uk
Getting high marks at college
Berkshire based Brayborne Cleaning Services has had confirmation that Basingstoke College of Technology will be sticking with the company for another 3-5 years for the provision of cleaning services.
Brayborne has maintained BCOT for 10 years and this is the third time that it has been awarded the contract, each time fighting off stiff competition from both local and national cleaning contractors.
Brayborne’s managing director, Simon Berryman, said: “We have an outstanding team on site at BCOT, from the cleaners to the operations manager. We are proud of the job that they do and know that this re- award would not be possible without the hard work and commitment that they give everyday in a challenging environment. Brayborne was built on offering outstanding value coupled with service that exceeds expectations. In schools and colleges the need to manage budgets while keeping service levels high fits in with this philosophy but it takes experience to actually achieve it, something that we have plenty of.”
In the same month, Eastleigh College and Quilley School of Engineering have decided to bring Brayborne back after five years, with a contract award that will see Brayborne providing cleaning services for the next 3-5 years.
Brayborne lost out on the re-award five years ago so regaining the contract was very satisfying. Commercial director, Lorraine Gibson, said: “We are proud to be back at Eastleigh and Quilley. It is a great testament to all of the hard work that we have put into the tender process. It is great when we are brought back in after a spell away. It shows that we really are the best people for the job.”
