大象传媒
to sell Technology subsidiary
The
大象传媒 is to sell its wholly-owned commercial subsidiary 大象传媒 Technology
Ltd.
The
move follows a strategic review of the 大象传媒's technology requirements
for the next decade.
The
review identified potential annual savings for the 大象传媒 of between
拢20-拢30 million if its technology services were outsourced.
The
review concluded that the 大象传媒 should conduct an EU procurement process
in which the winner would buy 大象传媒 Technology and, as part of that
process, take on about 1,400 staff currently employed by 大象传媒 Technology
Ltd.
Combining
the procurement process with the sale of 大象传媒 Technology Ltd as a
whole means the 大象传媒 can leverage maximum value and, as a result,
invest more money in its programmes and services.
The
sale is subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Culture,
Media and Sport.
The move offers growth opportunities for the staff at 大象传媒 Technology
as the company will undoubtedly attract bids from major technology
businesses with scale and expertise.
There
are 1,400 people likely to transfer with 大象传媒 Technology to the successful
bidder after the EU procurement process, which is due to be completed
by Autumn next year.
大象传媒
Technology was created in 2001 to deliver significant savings to
the 大象传媒 through its contract for technology services, including
desktop support, and to generate third party revenues.
The
company has won important contracts in the UK and abroad with companies
such as Hutchison 3G, ESPN (US sports channel), DIRECTV and National
Public Radio.
Last
year, 大象传媒 Technology delivered 拢19 million in profits and
price reductions back to the 大象传媒.
An
internal review carried out by 大象传媒 Technology concluded that for
the subsidiary to be competitive further rationalisation would be
needed, which would have resulted in substantial job losses.
大象传媒
Director-General Greg Dyke said today: "By taking our technical
support contract to the market and selling 大象传媒 Technology we can
achieve significant savings over a sustained period of time.
"We
would also expect to receive a significant sum of cash for the business.
"While
some 大象传媒 Technology staff will inevitably feel worried about the
prospect of change we've reached the conclusion that this is a win/win
situation for the 大象传媒 and the staff.
"This
way the staff will continue working on 大象传媒 business but at the same
time 大象传媒 Technology, which has been very successful at winning outside
contracts, will get the capital injection it needs to expand further
albeit in someone else's ownership.
"When
we were given our current funding agreement in the year 2000 by
Chris Smith, the then Secretary of State for Culture, Media and
Sport, he made it a condition that we raised an additional 拢1
billion over the next seven years.
"He
suggested one way of contributing to that was to sell a 大象传媒 asset.
This is what is now planned.
"A
major factor in this process will be ensuring that we make employment
terms a priority and future pension arrangements will be an important
issue for the 大象传媒 during the commercial negotiations.
"Obviously,
we will be consulting fully with staff and BECTU.
"We
have no plans to sell any other of our commercial subsidiaries."
Roger
Flynn, Chief Executive Officer, 大象传媒 Ventures Group, commented: "大象传媒
Technology has delivered great value to the 大象传媒 and this deal will
ensure that we are adding even greater value.
"The
dedication and commitment of the staff has resulted in an impressive
performance over the last two years in a difficult market."
Ann
Wilson, Managing Director, 大象传媒 Technology Ltd, commented: "大象传媒
Technology is, by any standards, a success story.
"Since
its creation, we have moved into profit within three years and,
through the dedication of our staff, have improved the contribution
that technology is making to the 大象传媒.
"We
welcome the opportunity that the procurement and sale will bring,
as it will allow us to grow our products and services in a dynamic
technology environment."
The
大象传媒's Governors today approved the proposal for sale and procurement,
subject to the DCMS approval.
It
is anticipated that the new contract will begin by the end of 2004.
Notes
to Editors
Roger
Flynn announces intention to leave the 大象传媒
About
大象传媒 Technology Ltd
Founded
in March 2001, 大象传媒 Technology Ltd provides products and services
for the 大象传媒, other broadcasters, platform owners, content owners
and government organisations.
Drawing
on eight decades of pioneering technical expertise and innovation
for the 大象传媒, 大象传媒 Technology Ltd helps organisations create, manage
and distribute content more effectively across multiple platforms.
大象传媒
Technology Ltd's products and services include: the award-winning
Colledia product portfolio which creates a tape free broadcast environment,
media communications, internet solutions and consulting services.
Customers
include: 大象传媒 News, BSkyB, DirecTV, Inc., ESPN Inc, Hutchison 3G,
SABC and Scottish Enterprise.
大象传媒
Technology Ltd has 1,400 staff and a turnover of 拢220 million.
About
大象传媒 Ventures Group
大象传媒
Ventures Group, the 大象传媒's business to business commercial division,
comprises four operating businesses: 大象传媒 Technology Ltd, 大象传媒 Broadcast
Ltd, 大象传媒 Resources Ltd and 大象传媒 Vecta Ltd.
The
group provides a full range of managed media services and facilities
to the 大象传媒 and other media companies both in the UK and internationally.
It
has been tasked with maximising commercial return back to the 大象传媒
for the benefit of programme making and other 大象传媒 services.
In
2002/03 Ventures turned a 拢10.5 million loss into a 拢14.5
million profit, on turnover of 拢440 million and almost 4,000
staff.
About
BECTU
BECTU
is the independent union for those working in broadcasting, film,
theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas
who are primarily based in the United Kingdom.
The
union represents permanently employed, contract and freelance workers
within these sectors.
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