Working with external providers

Services such as cleaning, catering and security at UCL have been managed by external providers since 2000, in line with many other higher education institutions in the UK. UCL is currently reviewing the university’s model of delivery for these outsourced facilities and workplace services.

Information for outsourced staff

Staff who work for UCL’s external providers can find out more about pay, benefits and answers to frequently asked questions on our supplier webpages.  

Levelling up pay and benefits

In October 2019, UCL committed to ensuring that these outsourced security, cleaning and catering staff will receive the same or equivalent pay and benefits as directly employed staff, following constructive negotiations with UNISON, UCL’s recognised trade union.

With support from Council, UCL’s governing body, we introduced a plan to achieve parity of conditions for outsourced staff with colleagues employed directly by UCL, including annual leave entitlement, pay grading, sickness benefits and pension contributions.

Our frontline outsourced colleagues in security, portering and catering are now paid some of the best rates for these roles in the sector, and since 2021 are now on equivalent pay and benefits to colleagues directly employed by UCL. For more information, please see the pay and benefits webpage.