NFU Mutual chooses Atos Origin as IT Outsourcing Partner

Expected to deliver significant benefits over ten years
London, 4 December 2006 - Atos Origin, a leading IT services company, today announced that NFU Mutual has selected Atos Origin as its IT services partner under a contract valid for 10 years. The contract is worth €130 million and covers the outsourcing of all data centres and desktops to Atos Origin.

William Schouten, NFU Mutual Corporate Services Director, said: “Outsourcing these parts of the company’s IT operations will bring greater flexibility and deliver cost savings whilst providing service levels to meet changing business needs.

“The choice of Atos Origin was made not only because of its ability to provide the required expertise and levels of service, but also its close fit with our culture and its commitment to the welfare and development of employees.

“We have worked hard to consult staff directly and via our staff forum, as well as the union, Amicus, in every step of the negotiations and look forward to developing our business with the help of Atos Origin in coming years.”

The contract was awarded after a comprehensive twelve month competitive procurement process, supported by external industry specialists from Approach Consultancy, led by Nilesh Bhandari, which involved ten of the top IT services providers operating in the UK. Objectives, milestones and timelines were clearly communicated to all parties and the transfer process was completed on schedule on December 1st with the transfer of 78 NFU Mutual employees to Atos Origin, who have all chosen to accept Atos Origin’s terms and conditions of employment.

“This is a very significant win for Atos Origin and demonstrates that we have both the capability and expertise to deliver big deals in the financial services sector,” said Derek Ward, executive vice president for UK markets, Atos Origin. “This year our financial services business has grown significantly through the increased collaboration between our consulting, systems integration and managed operations teams. We are looking forward to working with NFU Mutual to ensure that their IT systems enable them to work more effectively and efficiently.”

To welcome the new employees, Atos Origin organised a two-day induction event at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire, hosted by the Atos Origin sponsored Olympic athletes, Georgina Harland, Adam Pengilly and Danny Crates, together with Olympic medallist Leon Taylor. The event comprised several sporting competitions as well as the chance to meet some of the Atos Origin team and HR representatives.

Supported by its subsidiary Atos Worldline, a leader in electronic transactions, and by its joint venture with Euronext, Atos Euronext Market Solutions, the leading global provider of technology solutions for exchanges, clearing houses, banks, and intermediaries, Atos Origin has vast experience and in-depth expertise in financial services markets. With 8000 experienced financial services professionals worldwide, the company supports business processes for nine out of ten European banks.

About Atos Origin
Atos Origin is an international information technology services company. Its business is turning client vision into results through the application of consulting, systems integration and managed operations. The company’s annual revenues are more than EUR 5.5billion and it employs over 47,000 people in 40 countries. Atos Origin is the Worldwide Information Technology partner for the Olympic Games and has a client base of international blue-chip companies across all sectors. Atos Origin is quoted on the Paris Eurolist Market and trades as Atos Origin, Atos Euronext Market Solutions, Atos Worldline and Atos Consulting.

About NFU Mutual
Recognised as the UK’s leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual offers a wide range of products, including general insurance, life, pensions, investments, and risk management services. These products and services are delivered through the agency network, as well as through a direct sales and service centre.
With over 300 offices located in rural towns and villages throughout the UK, NFU Mutual has become part of the fabric of rural life and remains committed to serving the needs of people who visit, live or work in the countryside.
The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Contact Information

Caroline Crouch

Atos Origin

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