Reshaping our Business.
When we make big business decisions that impact people or change the way that we
deliver services we consider environmental, social and governance factors in the
decision-making process.
In 2010 we undertook an outsourcing of infrastructure and operations to IBM UK Ltd.
Partnering with a supplier with a good CSR reputation was an important consideration
in the selection process. The deal encompasses major transformation activities in
addition to a number of additional commitments, which will have a positive impact
on the environment.
People Impacts
270 Legal & General employees moved across on a TUPE transfer. 180 of these
went directly to IBM with the balance going to Manpower, IBM’s partner providing
IT helpdesk resources.
It was important to us that employment rights were protected under TUPE regulations.
We also believe that for the longer term, IT professionals who have moved across
will have better future job prospects as IBM and Manpower are organisations which
specialise in the provision of services to a very wide range of clients.
IBM’s Global Employment Standards are of particular importance to us. IBM has defined
standards and policies on forced or involuntary labour; child labour; wages and
benefits; working hours; non discrimination and harassment; respect and dignity
in line with our sustainable procurement policy.
Environmental Impacts
As part of the decision-making process we were impressed with the work that IBM
has undertaken on environmental protection over the past 20 years.
As a result of the Data Centre migration from Kingswood to IBM’s North Harbour
site in Portsmouth, there will be a substantial reduction in energy utilisation
at our Kingswood offices, which currently account for 40% of our energy usage in
this site.
We have already explored the positive carbon reduction implications that IBM’s expertise
will bring to us as part of the partnership including best practices in thermal
management, virtualisation, consolidation, software and construction to improve
data centre energy efficiency. The reduction in environmental impacts of our data
and processing operations are built into this contract.
Governance
For ongoing management and monitoring, our relationship with IBM will continue to
fall under the governance of our Sustainable Procurement Policy.