7th Nov 2005 09:00
Serco selected to provide flagship service to help UK small businesses 7 November 2005Serco Group plc ("Serco") today announces that it has been selected as primecontractor to provide the UK government with web-based information services tosupport the nation's growing small businesses.The contract with the Department of Trade and Industry ("DTI") is due to startimmediately. The service will run for five years with up to four additionalone-year renewals, and could be valued at more than ‚£125m over this extendedperiod.The successful bid, originating in Serco Solutions, draws on skills andexperience from across the group to deliver the contract requirements.The DTI's Small Business Service ("SBS") aims to make the UK the best place inthe world to grow a business. Its strategy is to focus on policy and buildpartnership arrangements with suppliers to implement its programmes.Under the contract, Serco will be responsible for developing and delivering the`business.gov' programme. This will involve working with SBS and a growingnumber of government departments including DTI, the Treasury, Companies House,the Cabinet Office and HM Revenue and Customs.The programme's objective is to stimulate a new generation of UK businesses,help firms grow, ensure that SMEs are heard by government and help shapegovernment services according to the demands of SMEs.Services to be provided include operation of the www.businesslink.gov.ukportal, which makes advice and guidance available to small businesses fromacross local, regional and national government, presenting information in waysthat minimise red tape and address the real needs of business.Serco Group Chief Executive Christopher Hyman said: "The Small Business Serviceis a Government flagship service for SMEs. Part of the SBS mission is to fosterentrepreneurial cultures and help people achieve their potential. Serco sharesthese ambitions. We will draw on capability from across Serco to support theirachievement through this contract."We have supported Government's drive for innovation and competitiveness formore than a decade, by managing the National Physical Laboratory,communications for the Envirowise programme and the Knowledge TransferPartnership initiative. The business.gov programme has achieved a great deal toimprove UK enterprise and benefit the nation's economic health. We will supportthe growth of this programme through continuous innovation andmulti-dimensional marketing."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 editorsSerco is a leading international service company operating in a broad range ofsectors including science, education, IT and IT-managed services, localgovernment, transport, health, home affairs, defence and aerospace.The SBS' key areas of focus include releasing the potential of ethnic minoritygroups, improving access to finance for small businesses, improving smallbusinesses' experience of government services and developing better regulationand policy.ENDSERCO GROUP PLCRelated Shares:
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