BNP Paribas Real Estate, a specialist division of the financial services group BNP Paribas, has chosen two Axis Group companies to provide manned guarding and front-of-house services at its offices at 105 Old Broad Street, London, pictured.
Based in the heart of the City of London, and also known as Pinners Hall, the multi-purpose commercial property houses the offices and conference facilities of several large financial institutions, and hence sees a significant daily footfall.
Axis Security was awarded the initial contract to deliver a 24-7 manned guarding service, employing six security officers who cover access control, loading bay services, and access of contractors and deliveries. Its sister business Acuity, the London-based receptionist division, was then awarded the front-of-house contract. It provides three receptionists to cover working hours from Monday to Friday.
Steven Wadsworth, Facilities Manager at BNP Paribas Real Estate, says that the need for enhanced customer service was at the heart of awarding the new contracts: “First impressions count,” he explains, “and now we have the Receptionists and Security Officers working as a team to assist visitors and staff as they come into the building. The new arrangement better fits our vision of customer service.”
Appointing the sister companies has led to a better integration of services, while training is also centrally coordinated. It also gives Steven a single port of call during monthly reviews. He says: “Both businesses offered an improved solution at tender stage, and we find Acuity and Axis Security highly professional organisations that take staff welfare very seriously.”
Jonathan Levine, CEO of the Axis Group, says that Axis Security and Acuity work in true partnership: “It makes the lives of building and facilities managers easier and more efficient by giving them a central port of call for multiple services.”
