DEFRA awards £150m digital workplace contract to streamline end user services

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is set to transform its digital workplace through a new five-year strategy aimed at unifying and modernising its end user and service desk operations. The initiative aims deliver a more coherent and agile digital experience for DEFRA’s 34,000 colleagues across the UK.

As part of this transformation, DEFRA has selected Atos to deliver the programme through a £150 million contract. The new approach will improve the quality and efficiency of the department’s service desk operations by leveraging technology including artificial intelligence, machine learning, analytics and automation.

Sustainability is a key part of the transformation. The new services will incorporate environmentally responsible practices such as repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, and re-issuing hardware wherever possible. Efforts will also be made to reduce packaging and delivery emissions, while unused devices will be donated to charities and social enterprises - making DEFRA’s digital workplace among the most sustainable in UK government.

Atos UK&I Head Michael Herron commented, “We are delighted to be working with DEFRA on their end user services enabling their team to concentrate on the important work they deliver. We have a track-record of success in this area providing best-in-class services supported by cutting-edge technology platforms that focus on people, planet and productivity.”