GTS Solutions is proud to announce it is the first social enterprise to partner with global video surveillance specialists Axis Communications.
The first deal of its kind in the world sees the only social enterprise operating in the UK’s private security industry become an official service provider to Axis, the market leader in network video and audio solutions.
Axis, headquartered in Lund, Sweden, already collaborates with partners in 179 countries worldwide.
The agreement to become an Axis Channel Partner is GTS Solutions’ most significant partnership since formation in Edinburgh in 2012 and reflects the company’s renewed focus on public safety under chief executive Chris Thewlis.
The partnership will see GTS Solutions be able to offer the products of Axis and utilise its expert support to provide high-quality cutting edge technical installations and support services such as monitoring response, smart building control and analytical feedback services to improve business efficiency.
“To become the first social enterprise in the world to partner with a company of the size and stature of Axis is hugely significant for us,” he said.
“We reinvest all of our profits back into our social aims and objectives, which are primarily to deliver public safety. On the back of this we consider ourselves as having strong ethical values and we recognized that Axis has similar values to us.
“At GTS we believe that people should be skilled to a position of requirement rather than just skilled in only the basics, which is very important in motivating people to do a great job and helping them feel valued.
“Axis’ beliefs align very much to our own, and we think that’s hugely important. We’re also exceptionally proud that we are the first social enterprise Axis has partnered with. Axis and GTS Solutions share a commitment to working with our people to help them improve their lives.”
Chris, who recently took up a role as policy board member at Scottish Business Resilience Centre, added: “What’s exciting for us is that, from a government level down, there’s now a drive to encourage businesses to operate in a socially responsible way.
“In the public sector there’s been a push, influenced by Westminster’s social charter, to ensure that a percentage of business is driven through the social enterprise economy. This includes big projects that will improve society, such as the building of schools.
“To be able to work alongside Axis to deploy and manage security across some potentially large-scale projects is hugely important to us because they’re highly reputable and we’re positioning this partnership so that we can deliver effective solutions in a purposeful manner.”
Welcoming the appointment of GTS Solutions as an official partner, Håkan Johansson, Sales Director, Axis Communications, Northern Europe, said: “Our partnership with GTS Solutions is particularly strong because it’s based on shared values and a common goal, to innovate for a smarter safer world.
“With a trusted partner like GTS Solutions, we can be confident that our conscious, ethical approach to business is mirrored in everything they do. Together we hope to inspire a similar mindset throughout the supply chain.”
GTS Solutions runs the most successful employability programme, GTSkills, in Scotland. Since July 2019 around 50 people have participated, 85% of whom remain employed. The social return investment into the community during that period is approximately £210,000.