Serco to run Business Link in South East

7th Jan 2010 09:05

Outsourcing group Serco has signed a contract with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to provide Business Link services across the region.The group, which was chosen last year to run the London cycle hire scheme, was named in August as preferred bidder for today's deal, expected to begin in April and worth £80m over three years with a possible extension for another two.Serco says it will improve efficiency by integrating the six existing Business Link operations in theSouth East serving businesses in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex and Kent. It already provides regional Business Link services in London, and in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. 'The work we do in helping businesses to start-up and thrive is a key part of addressing unemployment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and creating sustainable economic growth in the current challenging economic environment,' said Serco boss Christopher Hyman.