Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Northgate reinforces its strategic expansion into local government and social housing markets – and talks of the challenges faced by all

Northgate Information Solutions, a leading provider of innovative technology solutions to the public services, education and utilities markets, today reveals its continuing strategy of expansion in the local government and social housing markets with another key appointment, and talks of challenging times ahead for everyone involved in the delivery of public services.

Northgate has appointed Brendan Brown as Director of Business Services for Local Government and Social Housing, part of Northgate’s Public Services division. Brendan’s appointment swiftly follows the appointment in January of Joe Bradley, a former director at Serco Solutions, as the new MD of Local Government and Social Housing.

Reporting directly to Joe, Brendan will lead and develop Northgate’s continuing expansion into strategic areas, including business process outsourcing and organisational re-engineering, within key markets such as revenues and benefits, social housing, and contact centre managed services. Brendan was formerly Director of Business Process Outsourcing at Enterprise PLC.

The new appointments underline Northgate’s response to the challenging times currently faced by local authorities and social housing providers as they tackle the need to deliver more effective, citizen-centred services. Northgate’s strategic approach will see Brendan head up a Business Services Team that will consolidate Northgate’s existing collaborative work with local authorities and social housing providers, whilst developing a range of innovative models of working, which will help the sector to meet these challenges.

These new models, building on Northgate’s track record of incremental partnership, will include new forms of service provision partnership, new methods of sharing risk, and new ways of collaborating to deliver localised and citizen-centred services. Along with Northgate’s pioneering work in shared services, these new models will break new ground in the delivery of public services that are built around the needs of the individual citizen. Discussions are already under way with a number of local authorities to begin this ground-breaking work.

Speaking today, Brendan said, “This is an exciting period for Northgate, as it is best placed to work with local authorities and social housing providers to develop the next generation of partnering arrangements that extend beyond traditional technology solutions or outsourcing of services. We intend to set the standard that other service providers will aspire to achieve. I am confident that Northgate's excellent track record across the entire landscape of local government and social housing is the best platform to build upon."

Dave Meaden, MD of Northgate Public Services, added, “We are delighted to reinforce our Local Government and Social Housing team even further. Brendan’s appointment will help Northgate deliver sustained growth in the public sector, both as it builds upon incremental partnerships and as it secures new forms of partnership. With challenging times ahead for everyone involved in the delivery of high-quality public services, Northgate will adapt along with local authorities and social housing providers to provide a new relationship, built on trust and a strong track record to deliver business outcomes.”

-Ends-

For More Information:

Fellows’ Associates
Alastair Whitehead
Tel: 020 7092 1806
Mob: 07930 566291
Email: awhitehead@fellowsassociates.com

Naomi Stevenson
Tel: 020 7092 1803
Mob: 07966 890403
Email: nstevenson@fellowsassociates.com

Notes to Editors:

1.Northgate Information Solutions is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions to the public services and utilities markets. Northgate's task is to enhance public value through the intelligent use of people and technology and to share in the economic and social benefits that this brings.

2.In the UK, Northgate works with four out of five local authorities and every police force. Its systems are used in the management of over 1.5 million local authority and housing association properties out of a total of approximately 4 million in England; in the administration of more than £17 billion of revenues and benefits; and in electoral administration systems covering over 18 million people. Founded in 1969, the company has over 3,300 employees.

3.Brendan Brown was formerly Director of Business Process Outsourcing at Enterprise PLC, the support services company. Previous to his role at Enterprise, Brendan held a succession of senior roles at HBS Business Services, including Revenues & Benefits Director, and spent 16 years working in local government. Brendan has an excellent track record in managing significant business process change involving front and back-office services, and in leading complex system integration projects to deliver efficient and innovative customer-focused services.