A team of experts from the firm has provided critical procurement-focused legal advice to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which has signed a £300m contract with Shared Services Connected Limited (SSCL), for SSCL to provide improved Armed Forces pay, pensions, military HR and administrative services.
The team from Gowling WLG was led by Partner Robert Breedon, Principal Associate Alison Richards, and Associate Simon Harris. Advice was sought throughout the transaction from a number of teams across the firm, including Employment, Pensions and Real Estate.
The Future Service Delivery Contract (FSDC) will fundamentally transform services for military personnel, reservists and veterans, by introducing new digital technologies to improve their experience as service users. The seven-year agreement is part of the Modernising Defence Programme, which is committed to driving innovation, improving agility and driving efficiencies.
Commenting on Gowling WLG's role in facilitating this deal, Robert Breedon said:
"It has been both exciting and insightful to be able to bring our long standing procurement-based advice to support such a worthwhile and long-term project. The project continues our long and significant relationship with the MOD."
"This is a further example of the MOD's ongoing focus on more efficient and effective procurement, and it is a pleasure to be able to assist a key client on such a significant transaction."
The new contract is one of the biggest of its type in Europe, benefitting several million people in the UK. Commenting on this, Head of Commercial at MOD, Zoe Latimer, said:
"It has been fantastic to be involved in securing the future of a service that helps meet the administrative and IT-based user-experience needs of millions of active military personnel. Delivering critical services for Armed Forces personnel is a key priority, given their commitment to steadfastly serving their country. We will continue to work hard with our partners to ensure that the delivery of these services remains consistent and user-friendly in the coming years."
"We would like to thank Gowling WLG for its commitment to this project."