A visitor services and security contract at IWM, the Imperial War Museum, has gone to The Shield Group.
IWM, a family of museums which attracts over two million visitors a year, includes IWM’s flagship branch in Lambeth, south London that is transforming with new First World War Galleries and Atrium space opening on July 19 to mark the Centenary of the First World War; IWM North, at Salford, pictured; IWM Duxford, an aviation museum and preserved wartime airfield; Churchill War Rooms, in Churchill’s secret headquarters below Whitehall; and the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast.
The Shield Group won the contract after its recent launch of a dedicated division for manned guarding. The company will provide ecurity guards to all five of IWMs sites around the country. As of April 1, IWM transferred all of its visitor services and security to The Shield Group. Since taking on the role, the greatest priority for both IWM and The Shield Group has been to meet with staff and PCS (the Public and Commercial Services trade union) to ensure everyone is fully supported throughout this transfer, according to the guard contractor.
Alan Stoneman, Director of Corporate Services at IWM said: “We were very keen to work with a security company that really understood IWM’s culture and values as well as being able to offer a first class service. Throughout the process The Shield Group was able to demonstrate this empathy for the museum and we are delighted to be working with them in this important year for the museum.”
And John Roddy Chief Executive of The Shield Group said: “We are delighted to partner with IWM to provide our comprehensive customer first approach visitor and security services. With our reputation and experience in this sector, we will be drawing on our expertise to deliver the great experience and services visitors have come to expect from visiting IWM’s five world class branches.”
About the company
With projected sales of over £80m for the fiscal year 2014-15, The Shield Group reports that it has been undergoing a major transformation since it was taken over in 2012 by the Indian security company, TOPSGRUP. Late last year, The Shield Group launched four strategic verticals combining traditional man-power and technology, to deliver what it termed risk-based Total Security Solutions (TSS) to its customers. John Roddy, who has over 30 years’ experience in the UK and European security sector, was appointed Chief Executive of the company, with a vision of making it one of the top five security providers in the UK.
