19th Apr 2006 08:47
Serco selected as the new Business Link Operator for London from April 200719 April 2006Serco Group plc ("Serco") today announces that it has been selected by theLondon Development Agency (LDA) to provide a range of advice and supportservices to London's 600,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).The Business Link service is due to start in April 2007. The period betweenthen and now will see a handover from existing provider Business Link forLondon to Serco. The agreement is worth ‚£60 million over three years plus anoption to renew for two additional years. The successful bid draws on skillsand experience from across the group, including Serco Science and Solutions.Serco will manage London's Business Link operation, which provides a range ofservices to support the competitiveness of London's business community through: * web-based and call centre-distributed business information * diagnostic services to assess the needs of individual businesses * introducing service providers to the assessed SME clients In London, Serco activities include running Docklands Light Railway and trafficmanagement support for Transport for London, ground support for the HelicopterEmergency Medical Service based at Whitechapel and IT services to seven LondonBoroughs.The new award builds on Serco's recent success in knowledge transferopportunities. In November 2005, Serco announced a contract worth up to ‚£125million over nine years to operate the national www.businesslink.gov.ukprograme on behalf of the Government's Small Business Service.Manny Lewis, LDA Chief Executive said: "Ensuring that small and medium sizedbusinesses have access to the right type of support is a key area ofdevelopment for the LDA. Over the three years, Serco will support more thanhalf of London's business entrepreneurs including women and those from Blackand Minority Ethnic Groups (BAME) who sometimes find it more difficult tonegotiate the business world."Together with Serco we can share expertise and experience to achieve themaximum impact for London's rapidly-moving economy, while at the same timeproviding value for money."Chris Hyman, Serco Group Chief Executive said: "We are very pleased to bechosen by the London Development Agency to contribute in this way to London'seconomic success. We share the LDA's ambition, to encourage, advise and supportsmall businesses across the capital to help them grow, thus maintaining andbuilding on London's pre-eminent position as the best place to do business inEurope."EndsFor further information contact:Serco Group plc: +44 (0) 1256 745 900Graham Capper, Head of Media and Public RelationsRichard Hollins, Head of Investor RelationsNotes to editors * Serco improves services by managing people, processes, technology and assets more effectively in the transport, defence, education, health, home affairs, local government, science, technology and commercial sectors, working in 37 countries. Serco advises policy makers, designs innovative solutions, integrates systems and delivers to the public. More information can be found at www.serco.com. * The London Development Agency is the Mayor's agency for business and jobs. The LDA prepares the Mayor's business plan for London and mobilises the support and resources of hundreds of partner organisations to help build a thriving economy for London's people, businesses and communities. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for Londoners. For further details contact:Serco Group plc, Palm Court, 4 Heron Square, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1EW, UnitedKingdomT +44 (0)20 8334 4336 F +44 (0)20 8334 4301 www.serco.comPress ReleaseENDSERCO GROUP PLCRelated Shares:
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