Industry news

Finance departments are most at risk from insider threats reports computing.co.uk. The survey also suggested IT and sales and marketing were also a concern for employers while legal and the supply chain were considered more guarded against threats. 83% of respondents believed that a lack of understanding of data security issues lay behind the issue. However, 60% of respondents claimed to be satisfied by the balance struck by companies between security and freedom.

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The University of California has come under siege after its decision to offshore about 80 jobs in its IT sector. The work will now be done by HCL of India after a $50 million contract was set up with the company to provide infrastructure and network related services. Peter Eckstein, president of the IEEE-USA (an engineering association) has branded the move as another example of ‘profit before people’. With American jobs and employment being a key policy area for the upcoming election, it is unlikely to be the last story about outsourcing in the USA in the next few months.

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The ‘Future of Outsourcing’ report was an exciting read for the industry, offering up insight and analysis on the future and direction of outsourcing. Covering big news, such as the reaction to Brexit and reports on the future of sectors like robotics, there was a lot of content to be excited about. The report suggests plenty of opportunity in outsourcing across a range of sectors and how attitudes in business and employment are adapting to the digital world.

If you missed the paper supplement but want to read more, click here.

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The successful public sector bid specialists at Bidbetter are now opening up their services to help businesses win private sector contracts. Having trebled business turnover in the past three years, Bidbetter are expanding to offer their celebrated win-rate in contract bidding (over 80%) that has delivered over £372 million worth of contracts to their clients to the private sector market. The team of professionals at Bidbetter work with clients to produce tailored bid support either face to face or remotely, dependent on what is most practical. Philip Norman Director of Bidbetter, comments: "In contrast to the public sector, whilst the process is sometimes formal it isn't governed by rules with which businesses must adhere to when submitting their bid. When evaluating bids, some private sector buyers will look for similar requirements and ask the similar questions to achieve the best value for money from a bid. It is here that we can help suppliers to score highly, maximising their chances of winning a contract.''

For more information about Bidbetter, please visit: www.bid-better.co.uk.

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Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, has defended the banks approach to the Brexit debate and aftermath. Following the victory of the leave campaign, the bank followed a policy of monetary easing in an attempt to maintain growth by cutting interest rates (to 0.25%) and making a new commitment to print £170 billion of new cash. The Bank of England warned about the dangers of Brexit to the economy which has annoyed many pro-Brexit MP’s, but Mr Carney defends comments made by the Monetary Policy Committee and Financial Policy Committee in the run up to the referendum.

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Related news: Brexit Round-Up

A new study by respected think tank, the National Institute for Economic and Social Research suggests that the UK economy only just grew in the three months to August by 0.3%. ThisisMoney.co.uk is reporting that NISER believes that there is a 50% chance that the UK will enter recession in the next 15 months.

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Related news: Brexit Round-Up

53% of public sector managers have experimented with the use of robotic process automation a survey from iGov has revealed. As work levels have increased and staff numbers have fallen managers are turning to RPA to reduce mundane repetitive tasks. The research suggests that 21% of managers expect a trial of automation technology in their department in the next 12 months.

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Micro Focus, a British software and IT firm, will take over Hewlett Packard’s software division for £6.6 billion. The deal makes Micro Focus a business with total annual revenues of £3.4 billion. Some analysts are hailing the deal as a return of UK acquisitions after the uncertainty of the Brexit referendum.

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Related news: HP Enterprise to sell majority stake in Mphasis

Chief of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, warned that Eurozone recovery is likely to be dampened, partly because of Brexit. Euro area GDP rose by 0.3% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter of 2016. Mr Draghi notes that ‘the risks to the Euro area growth outlook remain tilted to the downside’. However, the ECB raised its forecast for 2016 growth from 1.6% to 1.7%.

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Related news: Brexit round-up

Despite the UK being unable to agree trade deals with other countries until it has officially left the EU, a group has been set up to help prepare for possible deals in India. Trade Minister Liam Fox says ‘there is nothing to stop us having discussions’. This follows the Australian Prime Ministers to striking a ‘very strong’ deal with Britain at the G20 summit.

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