News: Peoplesafe prepare to pitch their Big Idea to Co-operative bosses

A Rotherham firm is preparing to enter a dragons' den in an attempt to win a national business award.

Peoplesafe, experts in lone worker safety, are among the finalists in the Co-operative's Big Idea competition and must now face a panel of judges in a Dragons'’ Den style final.

In the same way that competitors pitch their ideas to a panel of potential investors in the BBC Dragons' Den programme, managers from Dinnington-based Peoplesafe will have to pitch their ideas to a panel of Co-operative senior managers.

Dozens of businesses entered the contest to find ways to help the Co-operative cut losses and risk for its businesses and staff.

Martin Rodgers, sales and marketing director of Peoplesafe, said: "The safety of staff is what our business is all about. We supply equipment and monitoring to keep lone workers as safe as possible.

"It's great to have got this far in the competition and we are keeping our fingers-crossed for success."

Peoplesafe already work with retailers including Argos, Halfords and Carphone Warehouse, as well as in many other sectors ranging from house-builders to social workers.

Equipment supplied by Peoplesafe can be activated by the user to alert a 24/7 monitoring centre, it can locate the user and it can detect whether a person has fallen.

Martin added: "It's not bulky, complicated equipment. In fact our software can be loaded onto a mobile phone or be part of an identity badge. It really is a simple solution to a worrying problem."

Peoplesafe's proposal to the Co-operative involves the use of panic alarms and tannoy announcements in shops.

Peoplesafe will be making their pitch at the Big Idea competition final in Manchester on Monday May 17, with the winner announced at a charity dinner on May 20.

The winner will be offered the chance to work with the Co-operative to help protect its businesses and thousands of workers across the UK.

Peoplesafe website

Images: peoplesafe.co.uk