Mitie has been awarded a new £21.5 million contract with Tate to deliver security and visitor services across the art institution’s locations, including Tate Britain and Tate Modern.

The company says that the contract, which will initially run for three years with the option to extend for a further two years, marks a significant expansion of Mitie’s cultural and heritage customer portfolio.

Mitie will play a role in ensuring that each gallery, home to some of the country’s most iconic artwork, is both a secure and welcoming environment.

“The safety of our visitors, colleagues and artwork is always our top priority, and we are delighted to be working with Mitie to ensure that everyone who visits our galleries feels included, informed and inspired as they enjoy some of the best art this country has to offer,” said Tate.

Protecting cultural history

The contract, which will see 275 colleagues transfer to Mitie from a previous contractor via TUPE, will reportedly provide a comprehensive suite of services.

This will include visitor services, like answering questions about the artwork, event and gallery security and visitor search and screening, as well as security intelligence services supported by Mitie’s Intelligence Security Operations Centre (ISOC) in Northampton.

Officers will be connected to the ISOC, providing 24/7 remote monitoring services across the estate.

Mitie says that data-driven intelligence will enhance threat detection and risk management, recording local crime, theft and anti-social behaviour to ensure the safety of both visitors and gallery artwork.

“We’re proud to be partnering with Tate to deliver industry-leading security, combining on-site presence, with security intelligence, to protect some of the UK’s most treasured cultural spaces, reflecting our commitment to creating safer communities,” said Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services, Mitie.

“We look forward to supporting the wider Tate operations and will work to make each gallery an inclusive and secure environment for the millions who visit these locations each year.”