Working with external providers

Some specialist provision such as security, cleaning, portering and catering services have been managed by external providers at UCL since 2000. Following constructive negotiations with UNISON, UCL’s recognised trade union, and with support from UCL Council, UCL’s governing body, in 2019 we committed to achieving parity of pay and core benefits for frontline outsourced staff with colleagues employed directly by UCL.

Since August 2021, outsourced frontline security, cleaning, portering and catering staff working exclusively on a UCL contract as part of their position receive the same or equivalent pay and benefits as directly employed staff. We continue to work with our contractor companies Bidvest Noonan, CH&Co, and Sodexo, Vinci and Compass Group to ensure any enhancements to the pay and benefits for UCL staff are applied to eligible contractor staff.

You can find more information about the specialist services provided to UCL by external suppliers, and how the university is working with our contractors and recognised trade unions to support outsourced staff on our Commercial and Procurement Services webpages.