The trend towards outsourcing has picked up real pace as the financial crisis of the past few years has focused minds on cost reduction. A recent report commissioned by the Business Services Association valued the outsourcing industry at £207bn a year in the UK, second only to the behemoth that is the financial services sector.

In this climate, it is increasingly important for companies and their finance directors to make sure that the cost/benefit analysis for any outsourcing proposal is robust and that the arrangement is managed effectively to ensure the programme’s long-term success.