Securing Breakthrough Science, Cambridge
Introduction
The client is at the forefront of biotechnology, bringing together world-leading scientists, clinicians, and research leaders. Their mission is ambitious and transformative: to restore cell health and resilience through cellular rejuvenation, aiming to reverse disease, injury, and life-changing disabilities.
Dardan was selected to provide a security service that would protect both people and critical assets while aligning seamlessly with the client’s culture and values. The partnership required more than operational capability – it demanded a team that could embed itself into a pioneering scientific environment and support research from day one.
Challenge
The facility was still under construction when Dardan was engaged in April 2022. The challenge was immediate and multi-layered:
- Mobilise a security team rapidly to coincide with the opening of a high-stakes research environment.
- Recruit officers whose professional skills, character, and cultural alignment would complement the ethos of the client.
- Ensure the team could protect highly sensitive physical and intellectual assets while delivering an approachable, professional experience for staff, partners, and visitors.
- Embed a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement from the outset, allowing the clients personnel to focus entirely on their groundbreaking work.
The initial meeting between the clients Global Head of Security and Andy Buxton (Dardan Strategic Operations and Planning Director) set the tone. Both sides recognised the importance of shared values, professionalism, and rapid mobilisation to meet operational and cultural expectations.
Our Approach
Dardan mobilised quickly, leveraging local and regional expertise to identify the right people for the right roles. Applications came from both internal candidates and external professionals, enabling a competitive and culturally aligned recruitment process. Within days, onboarding had commenced, with officers prepared to integrate seamlessly into the client’s environment.
Building a culture of shared values was central. The onsite Security Manager took the lead in shaping a team identity rooted in professionalism, accountability, and alignment with client’s ethos. The team was trained to:
- Deliver a high standard of operational security while maintaining a supportive, inclusive, and approachable presence.
- Protect the facility’s physical and intellectual assets, using technology and protocols tailored to the research environment.
- Respond proactively to feedback, continuously evaluating performance and refining practices to ensure alignment with the clients evolving needs.
From the opening day, Dardan had a framework in place that allowed officers to operate confidently, with the team evolving over subsequent weeks into a highly motivated, professional, and attuned security presence. Continuous collaboration, feedback, and refinement ensured that the service matured in step with the organisation’s operational demands.
Impact
The partnership is a true example of collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. Through transparency, communication, and a shared ethos, Dardan has helped create a security environment that:
- Protects staff, partners, visitors, and critical research assets without disrupting scientific operations.
- Supports a culture of continuous improvement and ownership, where officers are empowered to anticipate and respond to challenges effectively.
- Integrates seamlessly with the clients operational and cultural requirements, delivering both safety and a positive, professional experience.
Dardan is immensely proud to work alongside an organisation whose research promises to transform medicine. The partnership continues to evolve through ongoing engagement, mutual trust, and the shared goal of excellence. As a reflection of this collaboration, the relationship stands as a benchmark for what a true security partnership can achieve.
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