Newell & Budge and XPT Solutions join forces

to deliver online recruitment system

Newell & Budge takes 20% stake in leading software provider

Newell & Budge IT services and solutions consultancy has today announced a strategic alliance with XPT Solutions, the Edinburgh based ASP provider. Under the terms of the agreement Newell & Budge will take a 20% stake in the company and Iain Reid, finance director, will become a non-executive board director.

The partnership between XPT Solutions and Newell & Budge has been forged to meet an overwhelming response in the UK local authority market for XPT Solutions'' top product, ''HR Director'', which is already deployed at Perth & Kinross Council and West Lothian Council.

HR Director significantly streamlines the administration process and reduces costs associated with recruitment by moving management and reporting systems online. The product also allows job seekers to search for vacancies and complete applications online, while HR managers can record and track information about each candidate throughout the recruitment process.

The relationship builds heavily on Newell & Budge''s extensive experience in the public sector. The two companies will work together to take the product to market, with Newell & Budge''s consultants providing sales support, business analysis and systems integration, enabling XPT Solutions'' team to concentrate on developing and adapting the product to customer requirements.

David Longstaff, CEO of XPT Solutions said, We have recently demonstrated the system to 70 councils and are currently in negotiations with 25. In addition a further 30 councils around the UK have requested demonstrations. Partnering with Newell & Budge will provide us with the additional support and expertise we require to meet the demand in the market.

XPT Solutions will benefit from Newell & Budge''s access to public sector markets across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. While the initial focus will be on meeting demand from the public sector, HR Director will be rolled out to other markets, building on the success with current clients such as Scottish Courage and Lothian and Borders Police.

Iain Reid, finance director at Newell & Budge and non-executive director of XPT Solutions said, XPT Solutions has created a market-leading online recruitment product which has already been proven to deliver significant benefits to its clients.

This alliance will also provide a valuable new product offering for Newell & Budge''s existing customers, as well as enabling both businesses to make further in-roads into the public sector and other key markets.

This latest news follows Newell & Budge''s announcement in January this year of its acquisition of Belfast-based information security specialists, Celare Ltd.


www.newellandbudge.com