The role of a keyholder may sound obvious at the outset. As a named individual within the business, the primary role of the keyholder is to look after the keys to the business and take responsibility for things like security, alarm systems, and responding to any issues that occur during and outside of business hours.
But with more and more businesses turning to professional keyholder and keyholding companies in London and beyond, we thought it was time to create a foolproof guide to the role of a keyholder and why having one is so important.
What Does a Keyholder Do?
The individual who is appointed the keyholder of a business is responsible for looking after the keys to the business premises or retail environment. They are trained in how to open and close the store or premises and are well versed in how to activate and switch off the alarm. What’s more, they are part of the response team if the alarm is activated outside of business hours by a break-in or intruder, organising the response of police and security teams to protect the business assets.
All of this means that having a single team member as a keyholder is virtually impossible. The responsibility involved means that this is not only a big role but one that underpins the security and future of the business.
Because of this, appointing a professional keyholder rather than an in-house manager ensures a cohesive and thorough response to all issues, and grants your business the benefit of a reliable and trustworthy outsourced company to look after the keys and manage the response of police, security, and more.
Why Do You Need a Keyholder for Your Business?
Whether your business involves a retail environment, office building, a warehouse of sorts, or some other physical premises, a keyholder is there to protect the building and physical home of the business.
It’s not just retail stock that’s at risk of being compromised or stolen following a break-in. Personal data, business information, financial information, and so much more can all be compromised if someone gains unlawful access to a business premises affecting the operations and the reputation of the business.
Having an appointed keyholder minimises the risk of break-ins by limiting the number of keys and trained individuals who can gain access to the building. It also ensures that there are definitive individuals or teams who are responsible for dealing with and responding to alarm activations – so that there is always someone on hand to efficiently head to site and coordinate the correct response.
Should You Outsource Your Keyholding?
All things considered, keyholding is an important job which protects the physical presence and the lasting reputation of a business. Outsourcing it is often the most effective way of guaranteeing an immediate, professional, and consistent response to any breach of security, and offers businesses the assurance that a trained and experienced team is on hand to protect their assets.
Find out more by getting in touch with your local keyholding support team.
