19th April 2013 – CITI is now the preferred supplier of Project and Programme Management (PPM) training and qualifications to HM Government through Civil Service Learning (CSL). The Civil Service Reform Plan clearly identifies PPM as a priority area for government, and CITI has specialised in developing organisational capability in this field for more than 20 years.

Simon Green, Commercial Director for CITI, said:

“CITI has always championed the need for professional project and programme management: it is our mission. The inclusion of internationally recognised qualifications in PPM by CSL is another solid step forward in the professionalisation of PPM in the UK as a specialist career. We are delighted that the procurement approach recognised the value and contribution that the deep expertise, long experience, and commitment to PPM development that CITI has will make in driving forward the agenda of predictably good project performance.

In the Cabinet Office press release covering the launch of CSL itself in 2012, The Rt Hon Francis Maude, Minister for Cabinet Office went on record and said; ‘This new contract exposes the myth that there is an inherent contradiction between centralising procurement and supporting small businesses. Not only will this lead to more opportunities for smaller players, it will lead to more innovative training approaches for civil servants and greater savings for taxpayers’.

And we agree: the appointment of CITI, a specialist SME shows that the Government is delivering on its promise to provide more opportunities for SMEs to work with the public sector and in turn provide Government better access to the many specialist SME companies who play a major part in driving innovation in the UK. We recognise the huge responsibility that comes with delivering such a nationally-important contract, and we look forward to partnering with CSL and Capita to deliver significant improvements in project performance“.

Notes to editors:

About CITI

CITI specialises in the development and delivery of professional programme, portfolio and project management to economically significant organisations, and to the UK public sector. For more than 20 years CITI has operated as a centre for excellence, developing individual and organisational capability using those learning techniques and consultancy-based tools that research and experience from around the world has proven to work.

We have improved many organisations’ project management performance, by focusing on achieving the benefits from project and programmes, by embedding discipline in the use of methods, by establishing good project governance, and by demonstrating just what can be achieved by well-run projects – ensuring that programme, portfolio and project management is recognised and valued as an essential part of doing business well.
Further information on CITI Limited can be found at www.citi.co.uk

About CSL

Civil Service Learning (CSL) is one of three new HR services being provided across the Civil Service, as part of a programme to simplify and reduce the cost to departments. CSL is hosted within the Home Office, and its team of 63 people, made up of learning specialists, procurement, and contract management experts, work on behalf of all central government departments and agencies.

About Capita

Capita plc is the UK’s leading provider of BPO and integrated professional support service solutions. With around 45,000 employees at more than 350 sites, including 64 business centres across the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and India, Capita uses its expertise, infrastructure and scale to transform its clients’ services, driving down costs and adding value. Capita is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (CPI.L), and is in the FTSE 100 with revenues for 2010 of £2,744 million. Further information on Capita plc can be found at: http://www.capita.co.uk

For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with CITI please contact Gabrielle Caldwell – Marketing Manager / 01908 283 600 / gcaldwell@citi.co.uk. Our address for any correspondance is CITI Limited, Lovat Bank, Silver Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, MK16 0EJ

19th April 2013 – CITI’s expertise and experience in implementing change through project, programme and portfolio management has been recognised by Government Procurement Service. CITI has secured a place on the new pan-government consultancy procurement framework – ConsultancyOne – in the Change Management (PPM) category.

The Change Management (PPM) category lists the preferred suppliers of expertise for the management, implementation and client-side delivery of business critical programmes / projects relating to change, transformation and/or transition. This is a timely appointment – PPM is highlighted in the Civil Service Reform Plan and the related Meeting the Challenge of Change plan as a priority focus for government and listed in both plans as one of the top three responsibilities undertaken by civil servants.

For Central Government Organisations, Departments, Arms Length Bodies, (ALBs), and Non-Departmental Public Bodies, (NDPBs), other than by exception, the ConsultancyOne Framework Agreement will be the mandated route to procure consultancy services within scope, between £100k and £2m in value. It is also available as a contract route for the rest of the UK public sector including local government, health, education, devolved administrations, emergency services, defence and not for profit organisations.

Simon Green, Commercial Director for CITI, said:

“Leading figures in government have been promising easier access to public sector contracts for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for several years, but it failed to materialise; CITI has worked with the public sector many times in our 21 years of operation but the contracting side was never an easy process. Then, early in 2011, bold statements from Prime Minister, David Cameron and Cabinet Office Minister, Sir Francis Maude, followed by the appointment of Stephen Allott, the Crown Representative for SMEs, promised to address this issue, with a clearly stated target that 25% of government’s spend will be to SMEs by 2015.

This recognition of the changing nature of supply of capability and expertise is timely. SMEs make up the majority of the number of UK registered companies and make a huge contribution to the UK economy – financially and in terms of innovation and skills which the government needs to access.
ConsultancyOne promised right from the start to provide an easier bidding process and a better balance between large organisations and SMEs, and it has delivered on both promises. Even the chancellor’s budget this year provided help for growing business. It seems the government really is serious about delivering results.

Of course, the hard work is about to start. Being selected does not guarantee any business, but we know there is a real need for the expertise that we offer, and now we have an easier route to provide it where it is needed. We are delighted and excited at the prospect.”

Notes to editors:

About CITI

CITI specialises in the development and delivery of professional programme, portfolio and project management to economically significant organisations, and to the UK public sector. For more than 20 years CITI has operated as a centre for excellence, developing individual and organisational capability using those learning techniques and consultancy-based tools that research and experience from around the world has proven to work.

We have improved many organisations’ project management performance, by focusing on achieving the benefits from project and programmes, by embedding discipline in the use of methods, by establishing good project governance, and by demonstrating just what can be achieved by well-run projects – ensuring that programme, portfolio and project management is recognised and valued as an essential part of doing business well.
Further information on CITI Limited can be found at www.citi.co.uk

About Crown Commercial Service (CCS)

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is a new commercial service for Government, acting on behalf of the Crown, to drive savings for the taxpayer and improve the quality of commercial and procurement activity across the public sector.

CCS brings together, as one organisation, Government Procurement Service, the commercial function of the Cabinet Office, and common goods and services procurement and commercial management currently undertaken by departments. Its vision is to deliver value for the nation through outstanding commercial capability and quality customer service.

CCS is an executive agency of the Cabinet Office and operates as a trading fund under the Government Trading Funds Act 1973.

For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with CITI please contact Gabrielle Caldwell – Marketing Manager / 01908 283 600 / gcaldwell@citi.co.uk. Our address for any correspondance is CITI Limited, Lovat Bank, Silver Street, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, MK16 0EJ