Christopher Barrow
Vaults that deliver affordability, convenience and peace of mind
‘There’s no point in having built a world-class security vault if the professional quality of the on-site team isn’t second to none,’ says Christopher Barrow, Chief Executive of Metropolitan Safe Deposits. ‘We recognise that the knowledge, efficiency and friendliness of our staff is a core strength of the business.’
Courtesy of films and TV shows, there’s still a perception that security necessarily requires burly uniformed men on patrol. ‘Those days are long gone,’ smiles Christopher. ‘In fact, most of our employees are female and the focus is on brain not brawn. Hence, after their biometrical identification has been confirmed, customers can enter the vault’s “secure zone”: they are monitored by extensive CCTV, but don’t have to be escorted in person to their safety deposit box.’
Most members of the West London team are graduates and recruited from personal referrals. It takes up to a year to train a Security Controller, a rigorous process that covers all elements of the vault’s operation, from mastering the multi-layered alarm and surveillance systems to studying data protection and anti-money laundering techniques as well as meeting prospective new clients.
‘Typically, customers are surprised to discover just how simple it is to use the vault and, secondly, by how affordable it is to rent a box,’ explains Christopher. ‘It’s not the case that our service is designed solely for the super-wealthy: on the contrary, we have 12 box sizes and our smallest, which is perfect for storing precious keepsakes such as jewellery and watches, is £99 p.a (includes £10,000 insurance).
‘In this industry, trust can take a long time to build, and it is very easy to destroy. That’s why we focus on every aspect of what we do – infrastructure, technology and staff recruitment and training – with equal care. By so doing, we can offer the reassurance that treasured possessions are in safe keeping.’
Metropolitan Safe Deposits
329 Chiswick High Road,
Chiswick W4 4HS
02039282828
chiswick@metrosafe.co.uk
https://www.metrosafe.co.uk