Sam Bond
Sam Bond
Bid Director
How and when did you join Serco?
I joined Serco in September 1998 after finishing my Masters Degree in Ancient Greek History and Archaeology, taking a temporary role in the accounts department for Serco Defence. I anticipated that the role would last for a few weeks while I looked for a career-oriented role for the future.
What was your first role? How did your career at Serco progress from there?
My initial, temporary role was as an accounts assistant in the Finance Team. Although the role itself was not one I particularly wanted in the long term, I liked Serco's approach (I was asked to go to the US to work on a project for a month when I had only been with the Company for about 9 weeks). When I came back from the US, I was offered a role as a Bid Assistant on a major bid in progress at the time. This was a wholly new environment for me in terms of business development and the subject matter. I was given specific responsibility for our submission in, and understanding of, a new software tool that our customer had implemented, which no one in the company had used before. Again then I was presented with a big challenge, which I loved. I really enjoyed working in the pressurised but exciting environment of bidding, where everyone's input was critical with everyone taking responsibility for the delivery of some element of a large programme. I then joined another Serco bid team, working on a new and complex Private Finance Initiative (PFI) bid. The team was seconded to work as part of a formal joint venture company for this project. I held a variety of roles over a 3 year period on this project. Starting as a Bid Coordinator, I took the role of Proposal Manager and then Resource Manager. In that final role I was responsible for working with an external Project Team to define the scope and potential for the use of a new policy in manpower in the defence contracting environment and for defining the JV's manpower requirements, receiving input from a variety of subject matter experts from Serco and our joint venture partners.
How many different positions/divisions have you worked in during your career with Serco? Please describe them. What is the scale/scope of your current role?
For Serco Defence I was a Bid Assistant and Bid Coordinator, Proposal Manager and Resource Manager, and was seconded to a joint venture company team. I have been an Executive Projects Manager for Serco Group plc, working for the Group Executive Team on corporate development projects and matters of interest to the senior management of the company. I have been an Implementation Manager for Serco Home Affairs, specifically for the implementation of an Immigration Removal Centre - a Design, Build and Operate Contract with the Home Office. In particular, I was responsible for the implementation of the Customs and Excise Custody Suite, HM Revenue & Customs being another customer for whom we were delivering a facility and ultimately a new contract, which I developed with them. Also with Serco Home Affairs, I was Bid Manager for our Immigration business, working on immigration services projects. As Bid Director for Serco Civil Government I am responsible for Business Development in our Immigration Services, including new bids, development of new concepts for future opportunities and realising organic growth in our existing contracts.
What has been the most challenging thing you have done in Serco?
There have been many challenges I have faced, each unique and stretching me to my limit, at the time. There are new scales of challenge to face all the time. Past challenges include negotiating my first contract, hiring my first members of staff, leading a bid and taking full responsibility for leading a team of people, and spending one Christmas Eve helping to serve detainees in the shop at one of our secure Immigration Centres!
What has been the most rewarding thing you have done with Serco?
My time on PFI project and my time in the Immigration Business were the most rewarding. In both roles I could see how my ideas, work, effort and decisions actually impacted the lives of individuals 'on the ground'.
What do you like most about Serco?
I can work on a daily basis with people from many different parts of the business. One day I can be spending time working with officers from one of our custodial establishments, understanding how they / Serco can impact on those in our care, and the next day: briefing Board members on a new business opportunity. I have worked for Serco for nine years but still feel as though I have many opportunities open to me, and still get very excited about what we can do in the future. I have had a range of experiences through my roles in Serco that I would not have had in another company. With Serco I have travelled to Canada on an RAF air-to-air refuelling trip, worked with immigration detainees in our care, worked in a multi-national joint venture company, seen first hand how a plc of this shape and size is managed by the Board, and been responsible for developing service concepts to deliver on behalf of the UK government. Last but not least, I have a great many friends in Serco and I absolutely know they would support me if I needed it.
How would you describe the Serco culture?
The Serco culture is encouraging and challenging, warm and supportive. Serco expects people to do their best and helps them to do so. It stands for integrity and honesty, praising excellence and giving people the opportunities to explore new paths.
If you had to describe Serco in three words, what would they be?
Open, Dynamic, Challenging
How have you developed while with
I have gained an IOD Certificate in Company Direction and an IOD Diploma in Company Direction. I have attended the Serco Leadership Programme, an IMD course: Mastering New Challenges, and the Future Leaders Programme. I have received coaching in new and varied roles from senior managers and my mentor. I have been involved in the Women in Serco Network as a Committee member. I have received specific training for IT programmes, etc.
What do you think differentiates Serco from the competition?
The company culture allows individuals in Serco to care passionately about the effect their actions and decisions have on all our stakeholders. I think that we reward good performance and that we give people the flexibility and empowerment to try something new, allowing them to discover new skills and capabilities.
Why would you recommend working for Serco?
You will be given professional opportunities in projects, disciplines and markets that you would probably never have considered in a narrower business and field. Your ideas are always welcomed and encouraged. You can work in so many different business sectors and geographical locations, while maintaining the benefits of a single business and support network.