Regional publisher Johnston Press has announced plans to outsource a department which develops the group’s websites, putting around 30 staff at risk of redundancy.
The company announced proposals last week to outsource the work carried out by its technology solutions department, which is based in Peterborough, to IT services firm Endava.
An employee told HTFP that transfer to Endava was believed to be on offer but it was not yet known if this would be in London or Romania – where the company has some of its delivery centres.
It comes after the publisher announced plans last month to outsource half of its advertising creation teams to India, with the loss of 60-70 UK jobs.
The technology department is responsible for the publisher’s digital presence, including the development and operational support of the group’s websites, apps and content management system.
Simon Pownall, group technology solutions director at Johnston Press, made the announcement to staff last Wednesday, saying they would retain 13 staff members from the department.
His announcement said: “Following a detailed review of the Technology Solutions department the company proposes to outsource the integration, development and operational support services for the group’s websites, apps, content management system and services from Johnston Press to Endava (Managed Services) Ltd.
“Endava is a London based IT Service company, specialising in consultancy, development services and technical support in relation to application software and website delivery.
“Endava have significant experience in delivering operational services and development projects for blue chip companies in both media and non-media markets.
“The company will retain the services of 13 staff in Technology Solutions who are involved with commercial and associated systems, and the management of outsourcing relationships.
“We have commenced consultation today with the individuals affected and anticipate that this process will be complete by the middle of September 2012.”
Endava’s webside says it has offices in London and New York and delivery centers in Romania and Moldova.
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How long before they outsource detailed reviews?
Seems to be a growth area.
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The bad news at JP is never-ending and it’s so depressing for those of us who are worried our jobs will be next. Not sure the firm will survive much longer, these outsourcing measures smack of desperation while the share price bumps along the bottom.
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I thought Trinity-Mirror were bad but JP make them look like rank amateurs in the cutbacks stakes. I can’t imagine what it would be like to work in an environment where almost every day brings fresh announcements of cuts, closures and redundancies.
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So, the only department that seemed likely to survive the ‘bright’ digital future for newspapers is under threat. How fitting.
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Does this mean the helpdesk will be run from Moldova or Romania?
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It’s the Endava-n era. Geddit?
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Observer – no, never. ‘Detailed Reviews’ keep those with ownership of the excel charts in work. No chance they will be outsourced.
Ricky you are looking in the wrong place for survivors. Those in charge of restructuring projects, outsourcing and the like go down with the ship… and er… their bonuses, pensions and share options.
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Dear JP, can you please outsource my job to Canada please ?
I like Banff if at all possible.
London, New York, Romania and Moldova … a bit of a better selection to choose from than India I suppose.
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They should do the same at Newsquest. If you look at the state of its websites which look like they last had a refresh in the early 2000s, you wonder what their central web teams are up to. It’s not working on design and keeping up with the times, that’s for sure.
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Shame JP doesn’t just announce its bankrupcy and puts the whole shebang – or what’s left of it – out to a fire sale. Small, local companies might then save some local newspapers before they are lost forever.
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Subbed Out – only a matter of time.
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Dearie me. It’s hard to see how the design/layout of most JP news sites could get any worse, but sad news for any of those who may face redundancy as a result. I do hope the company’s management are proud of how they’re destroying the proud tradition of local news journalism.
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Subbed Out is correct in my opinion. Local ownership is the way to go to have any chance. Of course, their work will be cut out not just in dealing with the digital age but trying to repair the damage JP has inflicted over the years!
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Can I have my redundancy now please, whilst there’s some cash still left?
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This just gets better and better when will the big bods stop all this outsourcing and think of its staff. Week after week theres a new outsouring proposals and job losses. This is a place where the employees are losing faith in a company that used to be good to work for. GET ME OUT OF HERE
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Can someone tell me who this Director of Outsourcing is? Isn’t it time he took a holiday. I hear India is quite nice this time of year.
PS Don’t forget your spare batteries.
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You Gota Love JP…. I think you’re a bit behind the times. All journalists in the office where I work have already lost faith in JP, and I’m not talking about a handful of people either.
We’ve recently lost some of our best people, they chose to take voluntary redundancy rather than stick around to watch our newspapers decline even further.
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What really makes me angry, apart from job losses, is their decision to cap redundancy payments at 20 years!! I know people around the group who’ve put in 20+ years at titles.
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Time to setup a new local news media stream site, JP sites are 95% adverts these days. slow loading , shocking design/errors.
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