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
Serco describes itself as one of the world's most experienced companies in nuclear safety, technology and management.
Lobbyists
- Bellenden - lists 'Serco Defence, Science and Nuclear' as a client on the UK Public Affairs Council register in 2011 [3]
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.[4]
Lobbying
Serco employs Weber Shandwick for lobbying services. The account is led by Joe Phelan at Weber.[5] Serco previously employed lobbying firm Fleishman-Hillard for a 'specific lobbying issue' until 2010.
Serco previously enlisted Weber Shandwick Square Mile for its financial communications work from 2000- 2005, though its relationship was on an ad hoc basis for the first according to PR Week until the arrival of Serco director of corporate communications Dominic Cheetham from British Gas until 2004 <ref> Tom Williams, Square Mile out as Serco reviews financial comms, PR Week, 17 June 2005
People
- Stephanie Elsy, UK director of government relations.
- Lisa Lipshaw, government relations manager
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
- ↑ 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
