sourcingfocus.com’s news had a distinct British feel to it this week. The Round-Up has come over all patriotic and decided to highlight the British companies who are taking advantage of the benefits of outsourcing. After all, it is nice to have a breather from India’s over representation in all things outsourcing related. More importantly, we have all heard enough about Britain’s MP’s and their expenses. Let’s praise Brits who are being clever with their money, for a change.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has extended its contract with Atos Origin to serve as the IT systems integrator for the Olympic Games for an additional four-year period. After Vancouver in 2010 and London in 2012, Atos Origin will provide IT systems for the Sochi Olympic Winter Games in 2014 in Russia and the Olympic Games in 2016, the host country of which will be announced on 2 October 2009.

The agreement represents the largest sports related information technology contract ever awarded, and further entrenches a partnership of more than 20 years between the Olympic Movement and Atos Origin.

The London Underground maintenance company, Tube Lines, has signed a contract with Capgemini UK plc to extend its IT services agreement for another two years. As previous apprehension conceded, it seems the recession has hit the public sector.

Under the new contract, Capgemini will continue to be responsible for the IT systems that assist Tube Lines in its work with London Underground. Tube Lines maintains the trains, tracks and stations for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines which together carry almost two million passengers a day. Unlike many, I am not going to take this opportunity to make any snide comments about the efficiency of the London Underground. For once, my lips are sealed.

And finally, Johnston Press, which publishes over 300 newspapers and magazines throughout the UK, has announced plans to outsource the production of certain local glossy magazines to the Press Association news agency.

The Press Association (PA) will deliver its production services from its headquarters in Howden, east Yorkshire. You can’t get any more quintessentially English than the Yorkshire Dales. Cricket, old churches, cream teas and bad weather.

The services provided by PA will include page setting, advertising placement and some editorial content. However, Johnston Press journalists will continue to provide the majority of the editorial content. Phew, so outsourcing has not yet reached the vainglorious realm of the journalist.

I hope you have enjoyed the essence of Britain represented in this weeks Round-Up. We are set for another scorcher of a weekend and sourcingfocus.com looks forward to divulging more outsourcing news next week.