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Duncan Mackison, the Serco executive responsible for the success of ACCESS, the ground-breaking 50-50 joint venture partnership with Glasgow City Council, has been named Outsourcing Professional of the Year.

The National Outsourcing Association (NOA) made the award in recognition of his outstanding leadership of the pioneering programme, which is transforming working conditions for Council employees and dramatically improving the quality and accessibility of Council services, as well as making substantial savings in operational costs. 

Jonathan Prew, Managing Director for Serco's Business Process Outsourcing business says the award is a real credit to Duncan and the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved in the ACCESS programme. 

"What Duncan and his colleagues have achieved in such a short space of time is all the more remarkable when one considers the scale and ambitious targets of a programme that represents such a radical shift in both outsourcing convention as well as the public service traditions of Scotland's commercial capital.  Securing such a prestigious award is just reward for Duncan's exemplary leadership that has helped the ACCESS team to deliver cost savings consistently ahead of target and set a benchmark for outsourcing excellence."

The award was presented to Duncan at an awards evening held at Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London on Thursday 21st October.  Judges for the NOA Awards were particularly impressed with the professional standards and team spirit that Duncan has instilled within the ACCESS team which have not only benefited the workforce and the citizens of Glasgow.  He has also encouraged significant fund-raising initiatives within his team, including support for remote communities in Malawi that has seen several members of the ACCESS team visit the African country to take part in various voluntary initiatives.  

As Duncan said before receiving the award, "ACCESS is about delivering a fascinating and complex programme of change which we all find to be an outstanding professional challenge – being able to make such a tangible difference to working conditions and service provision is incredibly satisfying."

George Black, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council, is delighted that Duncan's pivotal role in the success of the pioneering programme has been recognised. "ACCESS has proved to be a very successful partnership model for Glasgow City Council and Duncan's inspirational leadership is at the heart of this success.  He has achieved a cultural change within ACCESS staff that has seen them respond very positively to the challenges they face, enabling us to invest effectively in new technology while also reducing costs through office rationalisation."

David Lonsdale, Assistant Director of CBI Scotland, is equally positive: "Above all, the achievements of Duncan and his motivated workforce continue to show the people of Glasgow that outsourcing has a positive role to play in enhancing the quality of their lives."  

The ACCESS Partnership was also shortlisted for Public Sector Outsourcing Project of the Year, as was another Serco contract to deliver ICT services with Enfield Borough Council.

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