Gulf Construction Online - JV targets high-risk market in the region

Security & Safety

JV targets high-risk market in the region

01 August 2006

The UK-based AKE Group, a security and political risk management company, has joined forces with Air Partner, the world’s largest air charter broker to deliver an innovative solution to managing the security of personnel working in high-risk situations.

“From our base near London Gatwick, we can respond to any risk situation in a matter of a few hours,” says a spokesman for Air Partner. We also have a global network of regional bases to assist with regional aircraft sourcing, which is quick and cost-effective.
AKE claims to have been among the first companies worldwide to train and support people working in hostile environments. Its innovative approach educates people about the risks they might face and the ways these risks might be mitigated.
“AKE’s support to its clients can begin in advance of its operations with risk intelligence and analysis within the client’s location. Political, geographical and security issues are analysed in-house and these can be matched to any particular requirements. Direct access can also be given to the company’s intelligence and monitoring services, enabling the client to be fully involved in support of their staff,” says a spokesman for AKE.
“On location, AKE medical and security experts can visit the client to assess its security stance, health situation and medical facilities, and also review emergency and crisis management plans,” he adds.
Air Partner Emergency Planning Division, along with carefully-selected best-in-class partners, offers a range of client-customised, comprehensive, integrated services.
“If the client requires it, these can include security monitoring and organisational aspects, as well as medical protection elements. Any size of service is possible, up to and including large-scale evacuations. These can be embedded in an insurance policy, if needed. The main driver remains a thorough, detailed, and up-to-date understanding of the specific requirements of each client,” says a spokesman for Air Partner.
At the core of the new services are the integrated operating procedures, which have been developed by Air Partner.
The spokesman continues: “The global marketplace is increasingly dangerous. While the commercial incentives grow ever more attractive, the staff, business executives and professionals required to exploit them may be vulnerable to significant risk. Such risk – whether to personnel, operations or facilities – needs to be properly addressed. Not to do so could end with project failure, reduced efficiency, increased costs and insurance premiums, injury, illness, and even death.
“Some organisations that assume these risks must simply be accepted, are courting serious trouble, not merely from the sources of the dangers themselves, but from governments and regulatory authorities who take a very different view.
“All personnel such as company directors, human resources or public relations executives or other employees working in high-risk areas in companies, should consider the following:
Corporate governance and directors’ duty of care – Those concerned with corporate governance are required to take all reasonable measures to protect employees and customers from harm. This includes contracting staff. Penalties for failing to do so are growing increasingly severe and can include prison sentences for grievous outcomes rather than merely fines.
Staff recruitment and retention – A company that makes inadequate provision to protect its staff when they are expected to work in high-risk environments could find it increasingly difficult to attract and retain valuable trained and skilled staff, who might also become unwilling to agree to take on certain assignments unless adequate crisis management and evacuation provision are in place.
Corporate reputation – The most important factor in corporate longevity and success is its reputation. A crisis well handled can actually contribute positively to that reputation, but a crisis that is self-created or handled badly is a disaster, and can be terminal.”
Air Partner and AKE are experienced in managing political and disaster risk, and know that it can be addressed effectively and responsibly. The partnership’s planning methods, 24-hour monitoring of high-risk areas, and integrated operating procedures, are the solid foundation on which the new products and services are being offered, says the Air Partner spokesman.
Alongside AKE, the Air Partner EPD is always on 24-hour ‘red alert’ to answer calls for help in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.
“The EPD prides itself on its record for rapid response in times of crisis. Over the past 30 years, they have flown search and rescue teams, ambulances, tent cities, relief aid equipment and food supplies into stricken and often remote regions around the globe.
“In particular, the EPD operations team, often using their network of 24 regional offices world-wide, has carried out fast evacuation of client personnel suddenly faced with life-threatening situations, and where there is no effective alternative to rapid air evacuation.
“The AKE/Air Partner service provides the complete solution to risk management and crisis response. The mainstay of the approach is a detailed and up-to-date plan, grounded in a thorough understanding of the unique requirements of the client. The plan will be designed to integrate the ground security aspects with the air transport requirements. Nothing is left to chance where planning can remove risk,” he points out.
Using the combined operational vigilance of AKE and Air Partner, and with AKE’s Global Intake (country intelligence analysis), providing a joint analytical framework, the aim is to manage deteriorating situations at the right moment, with the right response, and with the full concurrence and involvement of the client.
AKE and Air Partner EPD offer a comprehensive, cost-effective exit capability to preserve the safety and security of employees deployed within risk areas, which is agreed with and signed off by the client.
“Even if it is never actually used, its very existence demonstrates that duty of care is being taken seriously and importantly, it delivers valuable reassurance to those working in risk levels,” the spokesman points out.