GSL: provider of Global Solutions

From transporting prisoners and managing prisons to checking meter readings and providing facilities management, GSL’s services are a perfect fit for G4S

Global Solutions (GSL) began as part of Group 4, however with the merger of Group 4 and Securicor in 2004 it was necessary for GSL to be divested.

The announcement earlier this year that G4S was acquiring GSL marks the dawn of a new era for both businesses.

GSL now employs 9,000 people; competition issues have been resolved and G4S’s focus has changed (see “Strategy for accelerated growth”, G4S International, June 08).

Secure Facilities Management: GCHQ

Secure Facilities Management is one of three areas into which G4S’s new strategy is taking the Group (the others being Security Consultancy and Secure Documentation) and what finer example of this can there be than GSL’s £400m contract to construct and service the UK Government’s Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham, England?

Arial view of GCHQ
Arial view of GCHQ, Cheltenham		Completed in 2003, GCHQ is roughly the size of the famous Wembley Stadium complex and makes a vital contribution to national security.

It is one of the largest buildings to be developed under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

GSL was responsible for transferring operations from over 50 premises into one state of the art building and four satellite blocks. It provides a range of support services, from reception and security to window cleaning and pest control.

Three distinct service areas

GSL's three service areas, Care and Justice, Integrated Services, and Data and Managed Services, will migrate to the G4S brand as part of a longer-term integration process.

GSL Care and Justice Services, which was a pioneer of private prison management in the UK, will combine with G4S Justice Services to offer a much broader range of services and will be branded accordingly in the coming months.

In the UK, GSL currently operates two PFI prison contracts, two youth custody centres and is also responsible for prisoner transportation, immigration removal and court services, as well as supporting frontline policing. It also looks after the educational needs of custodial establishments.

Integrated Services

GSL has developed partnerships with several customers in the health sector and has a successful track record in the provision of non-emergency patient transport services offering safe, comfortable and reliable transport between hospital and home once discharged, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other medical services include GSL’s involvement with a number of LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust) contracts, a nationwide NHS scheme developed to improve community health and social services facilities.

During 2007, GSL achieved preferred bidder status for Leicester’s Building Schools for the Future contract, which requires facilities management services such as caretaking, cleaning and portering at 16 schools in the UK.

Data and Managed Services

GSL Data and Managed Services provides customers with a range of critical support services, including metering, data and debt management, inspection, assessment and training.

Since 2005, GSL has also been helping to raise standards in the tourism accommodation sector, having been appointed to carry out quality assessments, sales and administration on behalf of VisitBritain.

To ensure a seamless interface with the customer’s own strategy and marketing activity, GSL delivers the contract under the brand name Quality in Tourism.

In addition, it manages the administration contract for the Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credits scheme, which enables all eligible armed forces personnel to claim a grant for personal training and development.

And AccuRead, which was formed in 1996, has grown into the UK’s leading metering services business, with a multi-million pound turnover. It provides a nationwide service, which includes checking power consumption, data processing and safety checks.

 
This page is an edited version of the article by Lorna Webley featured in the September 2008 edition of International.
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