Board Communiqué December 2014 At the close of the year, we reflect on the work done to address the range of challenges we have faced and those still ahead for the last quarter, and on into 2015/16. In a challenging operating environment, UK SBS achievements have been significant. We have brought in two new customers, made significant inroads to tackling our budget deficit and positioning the Company well for 15/16, reduced the overall cost to serve for customers and worked to improve the customer experience. There is more to do and the December Board workshop session set the structure, principles and timeline for the development of the Business Plan 2015/16. The Business Plan will focus on efficiency and effectiveness to ensure not only that services are delivered well, but also to prepare for the next stages in the Company’s evolution. Customer and employee engagement will be central to the development of the Business Plan and will be achieved through our Customer Governance Forums, Owners and Customers Summit and company-wide and team activities . The New Year will bring some continued uncertainties for the Company. Our Fit for Future work and continued emphasis on our customers and our service is key to ensuring that the Company is positioned appropriately to work through these uncertainties and continues to serve its customers and owners and wider public sector. The New Year will also bring some new faces to key roles in UK SBS. Jonathan Preece, our current Chief Executive Officer, moves onto new challenges in the private sector in January. I and Board colleagues would like to thank Jon for his commitment and achievements over the last 3 years. Joanna Brigham, current Deputy CEO, will be Acting Chief Executive Officer until Ed Lester joins us as Interim CEO. Ed Lester is currently CEO of the Land Registry, and a Non-Executive Director of UK SBS, and will bring not only very substantial CEO experience to the Company, but also a deep knowledge of UK SBS, BIS and its partner organisations. This is explicitly an interim appointment, and I anticipate that we will begin the search for a permanent CEO once BIS have completed their 2020 Shared Services Strategic Review. We also have a change of Company Secretary as Sandra Harris leaves the company after 4 years of committed service. Again I and Board colleagues would like to recognise Sandra’s sterling contributions and welcome Mindy Wilson who has recently been appointed as Chief of Staff and Company Secretary. Other matters from the December Board meeting Significant progress has been made, as part of our Fit for Future work, in crystallising the scope, scale and services that UK SBS will offer customers after ‘in scope’ transactional services transfer to SSCL. The Finance report continues to show improvement against budget with an ongoing commitment to maintain focus on activities to address costs. Progress is being made on operational performance across all services, with Procurement and HR improvement plans delivering the necessary people, process and system changes essential to sustainable service. Property Asset Management has delivered to its targets and members of the team have been publicly recognised in the CoreNet Awards. Roger Taylor was a finalist for Corporate Real Estate Executive of the Year and Zoe Ford-Callender won the Young Leaders award. The Board was delighted to congratulate them on their achievements. Our experience, knowledge and understanding of Grants administration is contributing to the Cabinet Office Grants Efficiency Programme. Dr Clive Grace O.B.E. Chair, UK Shared Business Services Ltd