The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and Cascade Investment, an asset management firm owned by Bill Gates - one of the world's richest people - increased their combined holding in G4S to 3.2 percent last week by acquiring around 6 million more shares, G4S said on Monday. G4S, which runs services such as cash transportation and prison management in over 125 countries, suffered a blow to its reputation when it failed to provide a promised 10,400 guards for the London Games. Following a profit warning in May, its chief executive stepped down last month. Gates's investments ran...

Securitas has agreed with ISS Facility Services to acquire the commercial security services business contracts and assets of ISS Facility Services in the Netherlands. ISS’ security services operation in the Netherlands has annual sales of approximately MSEK 315 (MEUR 37) and 800 employees. The acquisition will considerably improve Securitas’ national coverage of its mobile services in the Netherlands. In addition, the acquisition will strengthen the organization in creating optimal security solutions for its customers. The acquisition is subject to approval from the ...

The Women’s Business Council (WBC) has today launched a government report on maximising women’s contribution to economic growth. Chaired by Ruby McGregor Smith CBE, chief executive of FTSE250 strategic outsourcing company MITIE, the WBC is an independent one year working group established by the government in 2012. The report explores the untapped potential of the female workforce and sets out a series of recommendations on how the UK can make the most of women’s contribution to economic growth. The report looks into addressing the obstacles at all stages of women’s careers,...

First Security, powered by Interserve, one of the top 10 suppliers of manned guarding and security services in the UK, has been awarded Gold Status for its close protection services by the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). The NSI is recognised as the leading certification body for the security and fire protection industries in the UK, benchmarking safe and accountable security provisions. Gold Status considers both product and service provision alongside quality management system certification, recognising those companies that can demonstrate rigorous management procedures toge...

Interserve, the international support services and construction group, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Paragon Management UK Ltd ("Paragon") a specialist interiors and property refurbishment business based in the City of London. Paragon will become a wholly-owned part of Interserve's Construction division. The acquisition expands Interserve's interior fit-out proposition in London and provides additional expertise in delivering bespoke solutions across a range of commercial settings. It also provides Interserve with access to the high-end re-fit market in the capital, w...

Over 2,000 cyclists came together this weekend for the MITIE London Revolution, a 180 mile cycle ride around London. The route took in iconic London landmarks, scenic back roads, and historic Olympic venues, such as the rowing lake at Eton Dorney and the Herne Hill Velodrome. The cycle ride was sponsored by the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company MITIE, in association with its charity partner for the event, City Gateway, which aims to help unemployed young adults in London, offering training, mentoring and opportunities for apprenticeships. The partnership, which is part ...

G4S, the international secure outsourcing group, today announces that Nick Buckles will step down as CEO and retire from the company and as a director on 31 May 2013 and that he will be succeeded by Ashley Almanza, who will take up the role on 1 June In the extensive search for the new CFO which resulted in Mr Almanza’s appointment to that role on 1 May 2013, the board sought candidates with the experience and capabilities which would enable them take on the CEO role as part of the group’s succession planning processes. Following a process which considered both internal and exte...

MITIE, the strategic outsourcing company which delivers a range of services across the United Kingdom, this morning announced its results for the year ended 31 March 2013. The FTSE 250 company employs in excess of 70,000 people across the United Kingdom and Europe. The headline results reflect strong revenue and earnings growth, with revenues up 8.4% to £1,980.6m and operating profit before other items increasing by 8.3% to £122.0m. 2013 Headline1,2 Headline year on year % change 2013 Statutory Revenue £1,980.6m +8.4 £2,120.5m Operating profit before oth...

Visits to Interconnective Security Products (ISP) stand at this year’s Counter Terror Expo (CTX) on the 24th and 25th of April 2013 exceeded all expectations according to ISP General Manager, Joanna Karwacka. “I cannot remember a time during the show when our stand was empty. We were unsure of how our Future Lab, in which we launched our futuristic development concepts, would be received. This meant we were pleasantly surprised at the response especially to the Partner Lone Worker Device and the futuristic Intellio 3D site builder which creates a framework for the Intellio smart ...

Incentive Lynx Security employees have proven themselves to be the best in London after scooping British Security Industry Association (BSIA) Regional Security Personnel Awards in three different categories. The winners were presented with their awards by James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA, at a ceremony held at Incentive FM Group’s offices in London on May 3rd. Waleed Eltayib, security manager at Incentive Lynx’s Central Saint Giles contract, has been excelling for client Broadgate Estates for over two and a half years and received his award for Service to the Customer. Meanwhile,...