FFW advises the Government Offices for the English Regions on major IT outsourcing

25 July 2006

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP (FFW) has advised the Government Offices for the English Regions on the outsourcing of its IT services to Fujitsu, a leading provider of IT and communications solutions.   The multi million pound contract will cover a 5 year period and will deliver significant savings to the Government Offices.

Representing ten Whitehall departments, the Government Offices are the primary means by which a wide range of Government policies are delivered in the English regions.  The Offices are involved in regenerating communities, fighting crime, tackling housing needs, improving public health, raising standards in education and skills, tackling countryside issues, and reducing unemployment.  The Government Office Network consists of the Regional Co-ordination unit based in London and nine regional offices.

This is the first time that the Government Office Network has outsourced its IT systems. Fujitsu will be responsible for taking over the entire IT desktop infrastructure and developing it to meet the Government Offices’ future needs. 

The project once again underlines FFW’s position as a leading adviser on public sector outsourcing agreements and follows on from recent IT outsourcing projects for the Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly known as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister), the Foreign Office and the UK Passport Service. 

Head of technology, Michael Chissick led the FFW team.  He was assisted by pensions partner, David Gallagher and employment partner, Richard Kenyon.

Michael Chissick said:

“This outsourcing is strategically very important to the Government Offices for the Regions and follows on from a similar project FFW worked on with the Department for Communities and Local Government.  It brings the number of  large public sector desktop outsourcing projects we have advised on over the last two years to 13.”

Fujitsu was advised by in-house counsel Christopher Jay.

For further press information please contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Executive, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on 020 7861 4120
Ben Girdlestone, Communications Manager, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on 020 7861 4968