The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that outsourcing firm Capita is its preferred bidder in the gas installer registration scheme tender meaning current registrar CORGI, based in Basingstoke, has been appointed reserve bidder.

CORGI expressed its disappointment with the decision but said it would work to ensure a smooth transition process between scheme providers. It stressed the decision would have no disruptive impact on the day-to-day running of CORGI-registered businesses.

CORGI chief executive Mike Thompson also insisted CORGI would continue to operate:

Capita is required to establish and promote a new gas safety brand. Beyond April 2009, the CORGI Group of companies will continue to provide a range of commercial services under the CORGI brand to financially support the CORGI Trust.

It is worth reinforcing that this decision should have little or no impact on the day-to-day business of CORGI registered businesses. This decision affects the registration scheme only and will not impact on competence measurements such as the ACS scheme.

Capita released a statement to its investors responding to the announcement, which valued the contract at approximately £14 million per annum for a term of at least five years. Capita expects about 250 CORGI employees to transfer to the new scheme.

Source - H&V News