Serco

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Serco is a giant outsourcing FTSE 100 company operating in the UK, described as ""probably the biggest company you've never heard of."[1]

Areas it operates in include health, defence, nuclear power, transport, prisons, education, aviation and leisure.

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 2010 bid to be the first private healthcare company to run an NHS hospital.[2]

In May 2012 a Guardian investigation revealed that Serco, which is poised to win much of the new wave of NHS outsourcing contracts, was under investigation by the health regulator, the Care Quality Commission. It had allegedly provided an "unsafe" out-of-hours GP service, and there were claims that it had manipulated results where it failed to meet targets. [3]

Nuclear

Nuclear spin.png 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'. [4]

It also gives 'independent advice to the Royal Navy on the safety of their nuclear submarines for over 45 years, providing safety documentation, independent peer review, risk management, human factors and occupational safety support'. [4]

In May 2012 Serco announced it was in talks with AMEC, a UK consultancy, engineering and project management services company about selling TCS. [5]

AMEC completed the acquisition in July for GBP 137 million and integrate TCS into its own business during 2012. [6]

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Serco manages the UK Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) as part of a consortium with Lockheed Martin and Jacobs. According to Serco, 'AWE is one of the most advanced research, design and production facilities in the world, developing the sophisticated materials, quantum physics and computer modelling vital to the safe and effective maintenance of the UK's nuclear deterrent. AWE experts also play a leading role in nuclear non-proliferation and international nuclear security'. [4]

Nuclear partnerships

Partners with University of Manchester and Battelle to manage the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), 'the leading nuclear technology services provider in the UK. NNL has expertise across the full range of nuclear technology, including waste management, nuclear safety and non-proliferation, materials and corrosion and plant inspection. [4]


External lobbyists

  • Bellenden - lists 'Serco Defence, Science and Nuclear' as a client on the UK Public Affairs Council and APPC registers from 2010-2012. [7] [8] [9]

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.[10]

Lobbying

  • Four Communications also list Serco as a client as of November 2011 on the UK Public Affairs Council register. [12]
  • 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. [13]

People

Legal firms used

Contacts

Website:http://www.serco.com

Notes

  1. ↑ Jane Martinson, Happy, touchy feel and driven by god, The Guardian, 24 February 2006
  2. ↑ Private firm becomes first to run NHS hospital, BBC. 25 Nov 2010
  3. ↑ Felicity Lawrence Serco investigated over claims of 'unsafe' out-of-hours GP service, guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 May 2012 21.56 BS
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Nuclear, Serco website, accessed 28 May 2012
  5. ↑ I-Nuclear, Amec in talks to buy Serco Group’s nuclear Technical Consulting Services, May 23, 2012, accessed 28 May 2012
  6. ↑ Nuclear Engineering International, AMEC acquires Serco nuclear business, 02 July 2012, acc 10 September 2012
  7. ↑ Association of Professional Political Consultants. APPC Register Entry, 1 Sep - 30 Nov 2010
  8. ↑ UK Public Affairs Council register for the Period 1 September 2011 to 30 November 2011
  9. ↑ APPC Register Entry, 1 Jun - 31 Aug 2011 and APPC Register Entry, 1 Dec 2011 - 29 Feb 2012
  10. ↑ David Singleton, Under-fire Serco calls for help with lobbying, Pr Week, 12 Nov 2010
  11. ↑ New-Biz roundup, Public Affairs News, Dec 2010
  12. ↑ UKPAC Register, Period 1 September 2011 to 30 November 2011
  13. ↑ Tom Williams, Square Mile out as Serco reviews financial comms, PR Week, 17 June 2005
  14. ↑ Charles Carr profile, LinkedIn, accessed 28 May 2011
  15. ↑ [www.chambersandpartners.com/ftse-survey Lawyers to the top FTSE 100 companies], Chambers and Partners, accessed 28 May 2012
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