International SOS and Control Risks have announced the formation of a strategic alliance. The world’s largest integrated medical and security assistance company and the world’s leading security risk management firm will create a joint operating unit to provide clients with an enhanced portfolio of travel and expatriate security services, which will be progressively introduced from July 2008.

Richard Fenning, CEO of Control Risks, said: “We are delighted to enter into partnership with International SOS and believe there are tremendous opportunities to build upon the expertise and resources of our respective organisations. The joint venture will bring together leading security and travel professionals, whose sole focus will be to protect international travellers and assignees and to enable organisations to support them, wherever they are.”

The demand for travel security services has seen a sustained increase over recent years and both International SOS and Control Risks have been at the forefront of addressing the requirements of clients worldwide.

The challenges of operating in a truly globalised market place mean that business people have to be willing to travel to far flung corners of the world. They need to have the confidence that their employers consider their safety as paramount and have assistance services in place for all eventualities There is also growing awareness among employers that they have a duty of care towards employees to protect them when they travel on business, especially to areas of known risk.

Arnaud Vaissié, Chairman and CEO of International SOS, believes the strategic alliance comes at a critical point in time.

He explained: “We are already seeing the effects of globalisation, with a growing demand for our services from corporations across the world.

“Our strategic alliance has a global network and operational resources, which are second to none. While Control Risks and International SOS will continue to operate independently, this initiative will place us in a very strong position to drive and deliver an enhanced range of best-in-class services to clients. Together, we look forward to pioneering a new level of travel security services for organisations operating internationally.”

The joint venture will provide clients with an enhanced portfolio of services, including:

- Travel Security Analysis - Timely reporting and analysis of security threats to travellers and expatriates.

- 24-hour Security Assistance Services — Expert advice, support and evacuation services utilising the combined operational resources of International SOS and Control Risks.

- International Assignment Security Consulting — Delivery of customized travel risk advice to support international travellers and expatriates.

- Traveller Awareness and Tracking — A new travel tracking service that will combine the best of Control Risks’ and International SOS’ existing services.

Tags: International Updates

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