14 July 2011, London -

• Williams Lea and HMRC to manage purchase of all central Government print
• First of Government Procurement’s centralised contracts following radical shake-up of purchasing across
  
• GovernmentMajor efficiency and cost savings to be delivered over four years
• Agreement in place six months ahead of schedule

Williams Lea, the leading global provider of corporate information solutions, has today announced that it has been appointed as Managed Service Provider for print and print management services to central Government. 

The contract, announced by Francis Maude, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on 13 July 2011, is the first centrally managed contract to be awarded by Government Procurement. Under the new arrangements, the HMRC print contract will be available to all Government departments in a deal that is expected to save £21m and will replace 140 contracts with a single contract.
 
Williams Lea, the largest print buyer in the UK, won the contract following a highly competitive process designed to identify a strategic partner to help HMRC and central Government departments move away from a tactical print model.

As the Managed Service Provider, Williams Lea will work with Government Procurement and key stakeholders to drive efficiencies, while identifying and developing opportunities to transform print activity throughout the life of the contract.

“We are delighted to have won this prestigious contract,” said Miles Toulson-Clarke, Board Sponsor for Williams Lea.  “Government Procurement was looking for an organisation with a proven record of success and the ability to deliver a transformational solution on a pan-Government scale.  With this being the first centrally managed contract to be let by Government Procurement, we are delighted to have been selected to work with central Government and look forward to engaging with key stakeholders and existing vendors.”

Tim Griffiths, Group CEO of Williams Lea, added, "This is a hugely important contract win for the business.  It recognises the capabilities of Williams Lea in supporting this first cross-Government initiative and we feel very honoured to have been chosen."

Dave Thomas, HMRC Commercial Director, said, ”My team is extremely pleased to be managing the contract on behalf of Government.  HMRC has been heading in this strategic direction for the last three years and the benefits of the contract align perfectly with the Government Procurement agenda. This model will now be available across Government six months ahead of schedule and we look forward to meeting the challenge of onboarding.”
 
Ends
(411 words)

Contact name
Julie Foster
Tel : + 44(0) 7799894262
Email: julie_foster4@sky.com

Louise Barber
Tel: +44 (0) 7872066260
Email: louise.barber@williamslea.com

About Williams Lea
Williams Lea is the leading global provider of Corporate Information Solutions. As a BPO organisation, we combine consultancy, unique expertise and the latest integrated technology to develop solutions that transform the way organisations communicate and exchange their printed and electronic information. Williams Lea employs more than 9,000 staff across Europe, the US and Asia Pacific with key centres in London, Dublin, Paris, Frankfurt, Bonn, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Beijing and Chennai. We work with many world leading organisations in sectors such as financial services, investment banking, legal and professional services, retail, telecoms, automotive, energy, utilities and pharmaceuticals. Since 2006, Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading logistics group, has held a majority stake in the company. With the long-term backing of Deutsche Post DHL, Williams Lea will continue to invest in and evolve its Corporate Information Solutions proposition that represents the future of the BPO space.

For more information, visit www.williamslea.com