Serco is a multinational company that specializes in providing essential government services, such as transportation, defense, and healthcare. It is one of the world`s largest government contractors, with a long history of working with governments around the world, including the UK, US, and Australia. This article will delve into the history of Serco, its services, and controversies surrounding the company.
History
Serco was established in the UK in 1929 as RCA Services under the Radio Corporation of America. In 1987, the company was acquired by the then BICC and renamed Serco Group. Since then, the company has grown rapidly and expanded its services globally. Today, Serco operates in over 30 countries, with more than 50,000 employees.
Services
Serco operates in various sectors, including transportation, defense, healthcare, and justice. The company provides a range of services to governments, including the design, management, and delivery of public services and infrastructure projects.
Transportation
Serco is one of the largest transport operators in the world, providing services such as rail, ferry, and aviation. The company operates the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London and the Northern Rail franchise in the UK. In addition, Serco provides aviation services such as air traffic control, airport management, and ground handling, and it manages ferries in Australia.
Defense
Serco provides a range of services to the defense sector, including logistics, training, and information technology. The company operates and maintains naval and military bases, provides fleet management, and provides training to military personnel. Serco also provides information technology services, including communication systems and cybersecurity.
Healthcare
Serco provides a range of healthcare services, including patient transport, medical equipment management, and hospital management. The company also provides clinical support services, including pathology, radiology, and pharmacy services.
Justice
Serco provides a range of justice services, including the management of prisons, electronic monitoring, and rehabilitation services. The company also provides forensic services such as fingerprint analysis and DNA testing.
Controversies
Serco has faced several controversies over the years regarding its management of public services. In 2013, the UK government investigated Serco for overcharging on a contract to provide electronic tagging of offenders. In the same year, the company was also investigated for fraud and malpractice in relation to a contract to provide out-of-hours GP services in Cornwall. Serco was fined £19.2m in 2019 for fraud and false accounting in relation to a contract to run prisons in the UK.
In the US, Serco was fined $1.2m in 2019 for providing inadequate healthcare to immigration detainees in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. The company was also criticized for its role in the Family Separation Policy, which saw children separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border.
Conclusion
Serco is one of the world`s largest government contractors, offering a range of services to governments globally. The company has faced several controversies over the years, primarily regarding its management of public services. However, it continues to operate in various sectors, including transportation, defense, healthcare, and justice, and is a significant player in the government contract industry.