A MAJOR provider of IT services to major public sector agencies in Scotland is eyeing an opportunity to win more work north of the Border following a shake-up to UK customs laws and the constitution after Brexit.
Leidos, which is the largest supplier of technical services to the US Government, provides on-site IT support to the Scottish Parliament and is working on the Scottish Government’s digital transformation programme.
And it is hoping to develop its presence in Scotland further still when the constitutional landscape in Scotland becomes clearer after Brexit.
Chief executive Matt Wiles said Scotland, where the company currently employs 300 staff across offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, is “definitely one of our top focus areas”.
He said: “We think there is a real pressing need for a partner for the Scottish Government, in particular, to deliver some really quite complex digitalisation opportunities, and one of the things we pride ourselves on is we stay the course.
“Everything we are seeing in terms of the post-Brexit agenda, our view is that Scotland is going to get more devolved responsibilities, and with that comes a need to underpin it with some technology that is fit for purpose.
“We see Scotland, absolutely, as something we intend to get more involved in.”
Mr Wiles said Leidos also sees opportunity across the UK in terms of the management of borders after Brexit. It has developed what he termed cutting edge scanning and biometric technologies, and integration software which allows the customs process to be managed.
Mr Wiles said: “We have managed to get ourselves on the industry engagement body with HMRC and we have now got a voice on the table, which is useful for them because the work we are doing with some of the borders in the US is worth sharing with the UK Government.
“Hopefully we will find an opportunity to pick up some of that work.”
Asked whether Leidos was seeing any impact from cuts to public sector budgets, given its exposure to the area, Mr Wiles said that public agencies are buying its services because it can save them money at the same time as improving their technology capability. Its other clients in Scotland include the Scottish insolvency service, Accounts in Bankruptcy (AiB) and the Scottish Child Abuse Enquiry.
Meanwhile, the company is continuing to develop its links with the higher education sector. It has formed partnership the universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde and Napier through its graduate apprentice schemes, which involves sponsoring undergraduates through an honours degree. An exchange programme involving staff from Leidos and the Scottish Government is also being mooted.
Mr Wiles said many of Leidos’ staff in Scotland are “smart technologists”.
He said: “One of the things we pride ourselves on in Scotland is our investment in Scotland’s future in that regards. Clearly, we need the people, but the market needs the people as well, so we’re absolutely plugged into the whole apprenticeship programme, and the development of youth.”
Mr Wiles said the pipeline for technology talent in Scotland is buoyant.
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