BT is to take nearly 300 reception and security staff currently employed by an external contractor into its own employment.

Under the so-called “in-sourcing” move, a total of 282 people currently workiing for Securitas at 68 of BT’s main sites across England, Scotland and Wales will transfer to its BT Facilities Services arm (BTFS) when the current contract expires at the end of this month.

The total is understood to include around 30 people based in Suffolk where BT has its main research and development complex, at Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath, near Ipswich.

BT said the move would help to deliver savings which would be re-invested in the BTFS operation which was formed in September 2012 after BT acquired facilities management company Monteray, which provided services ranging from cleaning and grounds maintenance to specialist services such as workplace management and property cost transformation.

The insourcing of services from Securitas follows a similar decision last month which saw BTFS bring facilities management services in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland back in-house from Aramark.

As well as covering around 7,200 BT buildings, BTFS is expanding to provide facilities management services to other companies across the UK.

Neil Edmond, operations director for BTFS, said: “The front desk security and reception teams based at many of BT’s offices have done a fantastic job, delivering an excellent service. We’re delighted to be rewarding them with roles at BT.

“By bringing these employees into BTFS we’re able to make savings which allows us to reinvest in the business. BTFS was established primarily to improve our customer’s experience of the facilities management services delivered across BT sites. This has created the opportunity for us not only to take on other services, but also expand to other locations and offer our services outside of BT.”