Olympinonsense

[amateur51]

Nick Buckles, Chief Exec of G4S was on this morning's Today programme. For those who missed, it's well worth a listen. Segment starts at 8.32, interview is just over 10 minutes long and ends at 8.45.
Basically, their bill for supplying staff was £280m but their costs will now be £330m as they will be paying for the Army. He said he didn't know until 8 or 9 days ago there was a problem with staffing but it was a mammoth task compressed into such a short time. When asked if it was true that some guards are not fluent in English he waffled and concluded he didn't really know but in certain roles within the security system there is no contact with the general public. Strikes me from the interview that they were trying to hire people as cheaply as possible and at the last minute to minimise costs.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b01kr71b

I sincerely hope that G4S's card is clearly marked regarding their bidding for any future contracts and the names of key directors and key executive personnel likewise.

I'm assuming they presented a plan for recruitment & training at some early stage .... I'd love to see a copy

[Lateralthinking1]

I sincerely hope that G4S's card is clearly marked regarding their bidding for any future contracts and the names of key directors and key executive personnel likewise.

I'm assuming they presented a plan for recruitment & training at some early stage .... I'd love to see a copy

I don't think it is the company particularly. It's the system. A4E, Centrica, G4S and those who had Jubilee workers sleeping under bridges.......when you look at all the problems over years, how can anyone say the private sector is more efficient?

Still, Tony is returning to solve all our problems, many emanating from his period as PM. Currently he is only to be given an Olympics legacy remit. Let's hope that's a Miliband decision on containment rather than a naive welcome with open arms.

[amateur51]

I don't think it is the company particularly. It's the system. A4E, Centrica, G4S and those who had Jubilee workers sleeping under bridges.......when you look at all the problems over years, how can anyone say the private sector is more efficient?

Still, Tony is returning to solve all our problems, many emanating from his period as PM. Currently he is only to be given an Olympics legacy remit. Let's hope that's a Miliband decision on containment rather than a naive welcome with open arms.

Deffo - if we can't get him on trial at the Hague, handling Olympic legacy might be the next best option

[Lateralthinking1]

Deffo - if we can't get him on trial at the Hague, handling Olympic legacy might be the next best option

Thanks.

That's possibly the first time I've laughed in a particularly grumpy week. It was not though what many would call a nice laugh.

[amateur51]

Thanks.

That's possibly the first time I've laughed in a particularly grumpy week. It was not though what many would call a nice laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uSTO...eature=related

[Lateralthinking1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uSTO...eature=related

Even better. I like cartoon characters. They are reliable.

[Lateralthinking1]

Even better. I like cartoon characters. They are reliable.

.........Where is Mr Pee? Nothing's been heard since early June. I hope he's alright.

[MrGongGong]

.........Where is Mr Pee? Nothing's been heard since early June. I hope he's alright.

He's in charge of the Elgar images at the Olympics in this style (Simon is working as his assistant !)

[mangerton]

Anna - I heard the full interview, and must congratulate you on your brilliant summary - were you good at précis work at school? Anybody who hasn't the time or the inclination to listen to the whole thing will get the full flavour from your posting.

Agreed!

The interview itself was a disgrace. That man needs to Buckle down and belt up. Either that or he should be sent to one of (his company's) Nicks.

[amateur51]

He's in charge of the Elgar images at the Olympics in this style (Simon is working as his assistant !)

[Lateralthinking1]

He's in charge of the Elgar images at the Olympics in this style (Simon is working as his assistant !)

Nice. And in the week when Kim Jong-un has a 'mystery woman' too.

[amateur51]

The suddenly omnipresent Buckles reveals that G4S only realised that they didn't have enough Olympic security staff 8-9 days ago.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18840464

This performance almost outstrips the TwentyTwelve comedy programme.

[Anna]

What do we know of Nick Buckles? Well, he has been the group chief executive of G4S since July 2005. This is not the first time he has cost G4S money after the company failed in a costly bid he put in place to take over cleaning giant ISS. Despite this setback he took home £5.3m last year, although he lost his bonus.

The son of a dinner lady and a policeman, Buckles was lured into a graduate scheme at Securicor - which later merged into G4S - by the offer of a company Ford Escort. According to various interviews he has given, he is a marathon-running West Ham fan whose favourite film is Sexy Beast, but admits: "I can't say I have ever read a book." His favourite music is Van de Graaf Generator.

In 2010 he said he had never wanted to work for anyone other than G4S. Perhaps he'll now have to seek a new employer?

[MrGongGong]

Nice. And in the week when Kim Jong-un has a 'mystery woman' too.

I thought FF was keeping that one quiet ?

[Northender]

What do we know of Nick Buckles? Well, he has been the group chief executive of G4S since July 2005. This is not the first time he has cost G4S money after the company failed in a costly bid he put in place to take over cleaning giant ISS. Despite this setback he took home £5.3m last year, although he lost his bonus.

The son of a dinner lady and a policeman, Buckles was lured into a graduate scheme at Securicor - which later merged into G4S - by the offer of a company Ford Escort. According to various interviews he has given, he is a marathon-running West Ham fan whose favourite film is Sexy Beast, but admits: "I can't say I have ever read a book." His favourite music is Van de Graaf Generator.

In 2010 he said he had never wanted to work for anyone other than G4S. Perhaps he'll now have to seek a new employer?

Perhaps we could invite more interesting/thrilling/amusing continuations of this passage.
'...a hopelessly exaggerated sense of his abilities and a concomitant belief - possibly more justified - in the gullibility of politicians and civil servants'