Media Release
Serco rated ‘excellent’ for supply chain management
3 July 2014
Serco has been awarded the prestigious Merlin Standard by the Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) for “excellent” supply chain management. The company is now ranked first
among 40 prime contractors having achieved the highest ever rating of 90%.
Serco, which currently manages two Work Programme contracts on behalf of the Department,
outsources 100% of delivery to a diverse network of around 30 expert local organisations from the
public, private and voluntary sectors. This pioneering approach ensures that the voluntary and
community sectors, which make up half its network, can participate fully in the welfare-to-work
market and that jobseekers receive the tailored support they to help them secure sustainable
employment.
Serco was the first prime contractor to receive the Merlin Standard back in 2012. The scheme,
developed by DWP, is attracting growing interest from organisations outside of the welfare-to-work
sector as it benchmarks excellence in supply chain management. Prime contractors are rigorously
assessed against four key principles: supply chain design; commitment; conduct; and review.
Submissions are checked and verified through interviews with a random selection of
subcontractors.
This year, assessors highlighted significant strengths and areas of best practice in Serco’s own
supply change management including: the company’s approach to the development and capacity
building of supply chain partners through training, shadowing and best practice sharing; its clear
approach to Performance Management, particularly the use of Management Information to inform
and support consistent and regular reviews; its supportive and consultative approach to the
implementation of policies and processes; and the innovative work around prison leavers to
engage them more quickly and effectively with the Work Programme..
Barbara Bradley, Serco’s Managing Director for Citizen Services, said: “We are delighted to have
been awarded the Merlin Standard for the second time. A well-managed supply chain can deliver
real results and the effective partnerships that we have established have supported over 26,000
long-term unemployed people back into work so far.”
Media Release
Serco’s Gareth Matthews, Business Director for Welfare Services, added: “This is a fantastic
achievement and I would like to thank our staff and subcontractors for all their hard work since the
last assessment. The “excellent” rating reflects our commitment to working in partnership with the
very best local providers to deliver a high-level of service to meet the diverse needs of our Work
Programme customers”.
Ends
For more information please contact:
Charlie Mayo, Media Relations Manager, Tel: 07738 896562 Email: Charlie.mayo1@serco.com
Notes to editors:
1. The Merlin Standard was developed by DWP to set a standard of behaviour designed to
encourage excellence in supply chain management. The Merlin assessment focuses on
four key principles: supply chain design, commitment, conduct and review – against which
prime providers are assessed to achieve the accreditation. Prime contractors are evaluated
and given a rating of "excellent", "good", "satisfactory", or "unacceptable". More information
on the Merlin Standard is available on www.merlinstandard.co.uk
2. A full copy of Serco’s Merlin report is available at:
www.merlinstandard.co.uk/downloads/attachments/0fd10972a487d6aa28fcb1db1e8f52d8a510310bb6640413a5bc157d1d71fb91.pdf
3. Serco’s two Work Programmed contracts are (1) Coventry, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and
The Marches and (2) South Yorkshire
4. Serco was rated “good” in the 2013 Merlin assessment
About Serco
Serco is an international service company, which combines commercial know-how with a deep public service
ethos.
We improve essential services by managing people, processes, technology and assets more effectively. We
advise policy makers, design innovative solutions, integrate systems and - most of all - deliver to the public.
Serco supports governments, agencies and companies around the world who seek a trusted partner with a
Media Release
solid track record of providing assured service excellence. Our people offer operational, management and
consulting expertise in the aviation, BPO, defence, education, environmental services, facilities
management, health, home affairs, information and communications technology, knowledge services, local
government, science, transport, welfare services and the commercial sectors. More information can be found
at www.serco.com