Case Studies

The Brief

Sony required front of house security for a large corporate environment. As one of the most recognisable brands in the world, only experienced staff trained to the highest possible standard would be suitable for such an undertaking.

The Response

Ashridge Group have supported Sony since 2017 where we manage the front of house services including Receptionists and Security guards in order to facilitate a reliable and professional security operation. An around the clock service was implemented to ensure safety, including a security element at the front desk during the day and out of hours. As representatives of the Sony brand and the first members of staff that most visitors would engage with, it was ensured that staff were excellent communicators and understood the importance of conveying flawless presentation and etiquette.

The Result

Sony was delighted with the response and the smooth nature of the security services provided. Ashridge Group received outstanding feedback that led to an internal company award presented to the members of staff who had facilitated the project.

The Brief

Ashridge Group work with property management company Rendall & Rittner to provide security ambassadors for their luxury private residential complexes in central London.

Chelsea Waterfront is a high-net worth residential complex made up of multi-million-pound apartments and penthouses. Rendall & Rittner needed a professional security service that could deliver a high level of service to its occupants.

The Response

We provide a team of security ambassadors during the day and night, ensuring 24/7 coverage 365 days a year. Security ambassadors are based at the site’s entrance to verify vehicles and visitors to the complex, while another security team maintains foot patrol to check communal areas such as the gardens and underground car park.

The Result

“We selected Ashridge over a number of competing companies and from inception have formed an excellent relationship. We were allowed to participate in the recruitment process so that we could select the best available personnel from the pool of applicants. Since their time on site, we have found them to be diligent, courteous and, most importantly, flexible. The current situation with COVID19 has thrown up some unusual circumstances and the team members have willingly undertaken tasks that might not normally be within their remit.
We regularly correspond with the management chain to ensure that both parties are achieving, and often exceeding, our Service Level Agreement and would have no hesitation in recommending them to any prospective development.”

Dave Falkner - General Manager - Chelsea Waterfront Rendall & Rittner

The Brief

In 2014 UKPN asked Ashridge Group to undertake a critical project on their behalf. The Health & Safety Executive had issued them with a notice to remove faulty meters from over 24,000 residential and commercial properties in their network area across London, East Anglia and the South. The faulty meters had caused several incidents including a couple of residential fires and their removal was urgently required to avoid further threat to property and life.

A large-scale project of this kind had never been carried out before and UKPN wanted us to work with them to plan, implement and manage the process.

The Response

Our first job was to liaise with the main energy providers to establish the existence and location of the faulty meters. Collecting and corroborating information for over 24,000 addresses was no easy task – customer data was old and often incomplete and some premises no longer existed.

We then sent out a team of agents to the properties to encourage occupants to make an appointment to have their meter removed or replaced. Our agents often had to make multiple visits in order to speak with the occupant and we continued to work with the utility companies to update the address list and verify successful visits.

The Result

Speed was an important aspect of the project as the faulty meters needed to be removed as soon as possible. After each home visit, our agents on the ground immediately compiled a report and sent it via Smart device direct to Ashridge Group HQ, where a team of specially recruited admin staff collated and shared the data with key stakeholders.

Our agents visited a total of 24,150 properties during the eight-month project. Only 1.97% of addresses were transitioned to warrant – all of which were successful.

At the completion of the project UKPN were able to report a 100% success rate to HSE.

We have continued to be a key supplier to UKPN since 2014.

The Brief

Ashridge Group provided manned guarding as part of the A14 Integrated Delivery Team working on the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme, a £1.5 billion project led by Highways England.

The highways improvement scheme had been in progress for 18 months when we were approached by VPS Group, who were providing security technology for the project. They urgently needed a new security partner after the incumbent contractor – a company they’d been required to use by Highways England – had failed in its task. As their trusted partners on previous projects, VPS knew they could rely on us recover the contract and get things back on track.

The Response

When we took over the project in June 2019 it was the largest construction scheme in the UK – it included upgrades to 21 miles of the A14, a new 12-mile bypass, new local access roads and improvements to Huntingdon town centre. The scheme involved 14 fixed and moveable compounds that required 24/7 manned guarding to secure personnel, construction workers and machinery.

The Result

We deployed multiple security officers to fixed compounds, where office blocks and accommodation were located. Additionally, mobile response teams patrolled the entire site to ensure high-value plant and machinery at the moveable compounds were protected and the area was clear of unauthorised personnel.

As the project developed and locations moved, we had to be agile to move with them. We regularly conducted security and risk assessments and increased the frequency of patrols around compounds where there had been suspicious activity. When compounds had to be moved to a different area of the site we re-evaluated what was required in terms of security manpower and CCTV and communicated cost-saving recommendations to the client.

Our security team maintained a good relationship with the police, reporting any signs of suspicious activity and going out on joint patrols together. One unfortunate aspect of the project was witnessing road traffic accidents and our security officers acted quickly to call the emergency services and provide assistance in such situations

The Brief

Ashridge Group have supported Murphy's Group with delivering on-site security services for a major energy provider during re-commission of two compressor stations located in Cambridgeshire as part of a £113 million National Grid contract.

The Response

Ashridge partnered with site security technology specialist VPS to provide around the clock, high level resilience cover at both sites.

With Ashridge staff on-site, supported with surveillance and access technology, strict control was established over a site that faced challenges including regularly changing entry and exit points and contractor access.

The Result

A ‘defence-in-depth’ strategy was implemented with layered measures to deliver the high-level of security required to protect the client’s valuable assets.

The Brief

This Grade II listed heritage site in Northamptonshire recently completed a comprehensive renovation programme and is currently used for events, weddings, corporate and private hire. The Abbey is designated in the top 8% of heritage sites and listed by Historic England as a registered battlefield. It has witnessed everything from royal visits and intrigue to technological innovation, world wars and dissolution.

The Abbey needed help and guidance through procedures involved in leasehold occupancy of its land and ongoing support regarding Health & Safety provisions.

The Response

Cognitious, an Ashridge Group company, provided security consultancy to identify potential risks so that Delapré Abbey could maintain a safe and secure environment. A security survey was undertaken and a full report provided, followed by a comprehensive security strategy and technical solutions document.

After an extensive consultation, engaging with various stakeholder groups and representatives of the Local Authority, a 150-page Health & Safety Policy was written and compiled into a formal procedures manual. This was made available in both digital and hard copy formats, then supplemented with familiarisation training for the Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust – a charity formed in 2006 to aid Northampton Borough Council with the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the Abbey.

Cognitious also provided ongoing contract client support in Health & Safety matters, including a ‘Competent Person’ designated to act on behalf of the Abbey Trust.

The Result

The Abbey has achieved continued success with healthy visitor numbers and many people enjoying the public event-programme.

They have continued to work with and utilise the Cognitious service in an ongoing capacity for two years. For example, a recent review was required for a detailed risk assessment regarding a festive event with specialist equipment. Operating templates were quickly established and this was further supported with continuous communication and advisory conference calls.

The Brief

A number of pharmacies and doctors’ surgeries required security measures to limit the risk of theft from high risk environments. A responsive service to alarm systems would be essential to guarantee that premises remained secure and emergencies were responded to efficiently in the event of an incident such as a break-in or fire.

The Response

Ashridge Group supplied 24-hour key holding and mobile response services to various locations. Alarmed activation response mechanisms were implemented and the company acted as a point of contact for appropriate emergency services liaisons.

The Result

Ashridge Group responded to multiple incidents, often alarm faults, negating the need to interrupt the lives of employees. This granted peace of mind over night and at weekends, with clients resting assured that any problems would be responded to quickly and efficiently.

The Brief

As an educational institution, Milton Keynes College required security services suitable for ensuring the safety of students, lecturers and college staff on an ongoing basis. They also required support for a variety of annual projects, initiatives and events.

The Response

Ashridge Group worked in conjunction with Thames Valley Police and other stakeholders to provide ongoing educational safety. Services utilised have included manned guarding, key holding and patrolling during and out of term-time.

For example, during a pre-emptive campaign aimed at deterring anyone considering entering the premises with drugs in the future, Ashridge Group worked with dog handlers to provide non-invasive security checks upon entrance at the college.

The Result

Ashridge Group services have helped to create a safe environment for studying and working. The smooth nature of projects such as the detection dogs visit has encouraged the college to consider similar initiatives in the future.

Due to this strong ongoing success, the college has recently agreed to extend the working relationship with Ashridge Group for a further 3 years.

The Brief

A global player in both the energy and services industries, Engie bases its operations on four key principles of integrity, honesty, respect and accordance with all laws and regulations. The implementation of these principles is essential in the management and application of the company’s security operations. Engie identified a requirement for a suitable service able and willing to provide genuine 24/7 support, from routine site manned guarding to overall workforce security and front-of-house reception to covering site breaches.

The Response

Ashridge Group managed and delivered a variety of soft services across a range of corporate sites to railway and CNI projects. The services have included manned guarding, receptionists, porters, facilities assistants and mail room services.

As a partner and service provider, Ashridge Group scheduled security and a level of resilience including responsive reply for incidents and events. In one particular case, the business responded to a series of underground fires caused by escaping gas. The necessary cabling repairs meant that huge reels of copper cable required security around the clock. Fast response put this in place within hours and maintained 24/7 performance across 5 sites for the duration of the work.

The Result

In total, Ashridge Group has carried out discrete operations in addition to ongoing responsibilities across 20 separate Engie sites.

Gavin McGuiness, Subject Matter Expert (SME) on security for Engie’s Facilities Management Operations, says “Whilst bigger operators have, in theory, very large resources to draw on, in practice they simply don’t offer the close involvement and responsibility-taking we see with Ashridge. Here is a company which sees itself as ambassadors for its client’s business, not just a provider of services. I can’t recall a single instance where they haven’t been able to help us and I can’t speak highly enough of them”.