PTY.L Regulatory News (PTY)

10 Jun 2008 07:00



10 June 2008

Parity Group PLC

Contract Extension

Parity, the IT and business services company, is pleased to announce an extension to its current framework agreement with the Charity Commission. 

The current contract has been extended to a five year agreement, which runs from April 2008 to 2013, whereby Parity Solutions division will continue to work as strategic partner to the Charity Commission, supporting and enhancing its ICT application portfolio. Parity will undertake a major project to replace the Register of Charities application suite in addition to providing support, upgrades and enhancement services to the ICT application portfolio. 

As part of the existing relationship with the Charity Commission, Parity has developed web-based solutions to allow charities access to perform transactions online. Parity re-developed the Commission's website, enabling charities to update and submit information and accounts securely via the web, significantly reducing their administrative burden. The Commission has reduced the cost of transactions to only one tenth of the original cost; a paper form costs £4 to process, whereas an online transaction costs 40p. The contract will see Parity continue to provide application support and web-hosting for the Commission's online presence over the five year order period.

Nick Allaway, Executive Director at the Charity Commission, commented: 

"We are really pleased with the success of our on line systems. Over three-quarters of the main registered charities are now using our Online Services. The system Parity has built makes it much easier for them to submit returns, to update us on changes in their organisation, and reduces duplication in effort on our side. It makes a huge difference to the Commission's administrative burden, saving time and money. Over time, we anticipate the take up rates to rise even further and we aim to expand the range of our online services. 

As a small department we need an IT business partner like Parity that is affordable and delivers workable solutions. To do this their team have to understand the needs of our business."

One of the key factors behind the Charity Commission's decision to extend the contract was Parity's approach to Support and Service Management. The Charity Commission was also confident that Parity would continue to drive business efficiencies and cost savings over the course of the relationship.

Alwyn Welch, Chief Executive of Parity, commented: 

"Extending our already strong working relationship with the Charity Commission into a further five-year partnership gives us the opportunity to work together on innovative solutions to support charities across the UK. Parity has an outstanding track record in serving our customers' needs and we are looking forward to helping the Commission achieve its strategic aims."

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

About Parity Group PLC

Parity Group PLC is a UK-focused IT and Business services company, operating via three core business units - Parity Resources, Parity Solutions and Parity Training. 

Parity Resources is a leading IT recruitment specialist, with over 30 years experience in providing permanent and contract technology staff, temporary staff and managed recruitment services across all markets. 

Parity Solutions specialises in providing IT, Projects and Consulting, using leading edge technologies and drawing upon the depth of experience of its consultants in Programme and Project Management. 

Parity Training is one of the UK's leading Management and IT training providers. In addition to a comprehensive schedule of public courses, Parity delivers tailored learning solutions and customised programmes for major clients.

Parity is listed on the London Stock Exchange, with a ticker of PTY.LN.