Serco
Serco is a giant outsourcing company operating in the UK, described as ""probably the biggest company you've never heard of."[1]
Areas it operates in include the following: health, defence, transport, prisons, education, aviation and leisure.
Contents
Healthcare
Serco health employs over 300 doctors and nurses in primary care and community health services, including out of hours care. Serco also provides facilities management in three NHS hospitals and prison health care.
It was beaten by Circle in a bid to be the first private healthcare company to run an NHS hospital.[2]
Nuclear
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This article is part of the Nuclear Spin project of Spinwatch. |
Serco describes itself as 'one of the world's most experienced companies in nuclear safety, technology and management'. Its nuclear Technical Consulting Services (TCS) division supports the operation of over 20 nuclear reactors, and 'serves as the lead nuclear safety advisor to Westinghouse, designer of the AP1000 nuclear reactor currently under assessment for the UK's new civil nuclear programme'.
In May 2012 it was announced that Serco was in talks with AMEC, a UK consultancy, engineering, and project management services company about selling TCS. [3]
External lobbyists
- Bellenden - lists 'Serco Defence, Science and Nuclear' as a client on the UK Public Affairs Council register in 2011. [4]
Controversy
PR Week reported in November 2010:
- "Outsourcing giant Serco is on the hunt for fresh public affairs support as it seeks to restore its reputation in Westminster following a barrage of negative headlines. Serco... has been attacked for the manner in which it conducts negotiations with suppliers. Last week, the company was forced to apologise for demanding cash rebates from its biggest suppliers in an attempt to help it deliver the Government's cost savings. According to reports, Serco's stance angered Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude because the Government had agreed with Serco that the cuts would come from its own profit margins, rather than those of suppliers and sub-contractors.[5]
Lobbying
- Serco employs Weber Shandwick for lobbying services. The account is led by Joe Phelan at Weber.[6] Serco previously employed lobbying firm Fleishman-Hillard for a 'specific lobbying issue' until 2010.
- Four Communications also list Serco as a client as of November 2011 on the UK Public Affairs Council register. [7]
- Serco previously enlisted Weber Shandwick Square Mile for its financial communications work from 2000-2005, though its relationship was on an ad hoc basis according to PR Week until the arrival of Serco director of corporate communications Dominic Cheetham from British Gas in 2004. [8]
People
- Christopher Hyman, chief executive
- Stephanie Elsy, UK director of government relations.
- Lisa Lipshaw, government relations manager
Legal firms used
- Linklaters (principal legal adviser) (corporate); Ashurst; DLA Piper LLP; Hogan Lovells; Kemp Little LLP; Nabarro LLP; Pinsent Masons; White & Case LLP [9]
Contacts
Website:http://www.serco.com
Notes
- ↑ Jane Martinson, Happy, touchy feel and driven by god, The Guardian, 24 February 2006
- ↑ Private firm becomes first to run NHS hospital, BBC. 25 Nov 2010
- ↑ I-Nuclear, Amec in talks to buy Serco Group’s nuclear Technical Consulting Services, May 23, 2012, accessed 28 May 2012
- ↑ UK Public Affairs Council register for the Period 1 September 2011 to 30 November 2011
- ↑ David Singleton, Under-fire Serco calls for help with lobbying, Pr Week, 12 Nov 2010
- ↑ New-Biz roundup, Public Affairs News, Dec 2010
- ↑ UKPAC Register, Period 1 September 2011 to 30 November 2011
- ↑ Tom Williams, Square Mile out as Serco reviews financial comms, PR Week, 17 June 2005
- ↑ [www.chambersandpartners.com/ftse-survey Lawyers to the top FTSE 100 companies], Chambers and Partners, accessed 28 May 2012
