The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) is responsible for managing entry of UK citizens and foreign nationals into the United Kingdom.
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Globalisation, changing patterns of travel plus international crime and terrorism all pose significant challenges for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. It is their duty to consider applications for citizenship, asylum and permission to stay, provide a first line of defence for UK security and deal justly and fairly with those seeking legal entry.
Business Issues
Immigration staff play a pivotal role in the operation of Heathrow International Airport. It is the smooth execution of their duties that prevents immigration halls from becoming overcrowded with arrivals from overseas. Any delays would quickly have a significant knock-on effect, leading to queues at Passport Control, a backlog of luggage at baggage collection and resources becoming overstretched across the airport.It is imperative that immigration desks at Heathrow are manned around the clock. Delivering staff to their posts in timely fashion demands preferred suppliers that can be depended upon to provide a professional, efficient and adaptable service.
About Matrix
Founded in 2005 and part of the Radio Taxis Group. Matrix is a specialist Private Car Hire firm. Focussed on organisational clients while also catering for the needs of private individuals, Matrix is bringing a new level of strategic expertise to the Private Car Hire industry.Matrix pursues a distinct philosophy. Each organisation is assigned a dedicated Account Manager, charged with matching service to individual requirements. For example, Account Managers develop journey profiles for significant routes, taking account of such variables as patterns of traffic and regularity of service.
Comprehensive coverage is provided by vehicles dedicated to Matrix. The entire fleet is no more than two years old and Matrix’s pool of handpicked, fully trained drivers will exceed 300 by Q4 2007.
The service is adjusted to suit the needs of a varied clientele. From E Class Mercedes to Volkswagen Passats, all cars are graded to meet customer expectations.
Matrix has received widespread acclaim from customers and industry observers. In 2006, Business Travel Magazine presented Matrix with their coveted award for ‘Car Supplier Of The Year’.
Working Together
Matrix is charged with providing personal transportation for Immigration officials working in Terminals 1-4 at Heathrow Airport. The service is predominantly focussed between 4.30-7 am when staff either do not have access to public transport or require collection from areas outside the transport system.An average of 15-20 pickups are required each morning, subject to shift pattern variations. Consolidated schedules are input into Matrix systems on the previous evening, cars pre-allocated and confirmation provided to IND Booking Officers.
All vehicles are equipped with GPS (Global Positioning) equipment. In the modern era, it is imperative for public sector organisations to be able to locate members of staff at all times in the event of an emergency. Working with Matrix enables the IND to determine which services are being used, by whom and when.
Management information is first class and comprehensive. Radio Taxis’ leading edge systems separates data by cost centre, project or employee. Itemised bills enables companies to identify staff booking cars, length of journeys and average waiting times.
The logistics of the service requires productive co-operation between Radio Taxis and the IND backing team. Quarterly review meetings are used to monitor progress, propose recommendations and put forward improvements.
Testimonial
‘Radio Taxis provide an excellent service for our staff at Heathrow. Their geographical coverage is first class, service levels are excellent and we have found them to be extremely reliable’.
‘Radio Taxis are also responsive. We have peak periods of demand, especially around Christmas and over the summer months. This is a very busy time at airports, staff levels increase considerably and flight schedules are particularly sensitive. We find that Radio Taxis react well to such situations, adapting their service to meet the requirements of our people’.
‘Radio Taxis is a significant provider of vehicles to the Home Office. We have found them to be a quality organisation and I anticipate continuing to work with them as our preferred suppliers going forward’.
Sheila Adu-Wiredu, Procurement Section, Home Office
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