Pearson, a UK company, is one of the world's leading providers of customer-focussed solutions to governments across the globe. Pearson in the UK aims to meet the needs and standards of the UK's eGovernment by offering customised solutions to improve communication between the government and the public to support government performance.

We work with government to deliver information, services and benefits through integrated communications: face-to-face, telephone, e-mail, web, correspondence, and fax. Using state-of-the-art Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategies, processes and tools, we capture critical information about customer contacts to provide more timely, efficient and personalised services.

Pearson's customer service solutions consist of:
* Contact centre operations
* Interactive websites
* Document and data management
* Strategic systems integration
* Computer-based testing and assessment solutions
* Grants management
* Combined training solutions.

Pearson helps government to build relationships, significantly improve results and mitigate risks through a combination of highly qualified personnel, proven commercial best practice and sophisticated technologies. Every day we are working with government " national, regional and local " to provide information to their constituents about complex programmes and benefits. Examples of our services include:

Driving Standards Agency and Driver Vehicle Testing Agency
In November 2003, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA) selected Pearson as their preferred partner to administer and process the results of the driving theory section of the driving licence examination. Over 1.6 million examinations are taken every year, with candidates booking by phone or online, and taking tests in one of 150 Pearson professional test centres throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Southwark's Customer Service Centre (CSC)
In November 2004, Pearson signed a 10-year partnership to modernise and transform the services of the London Borough of Southwark. Pearson will provide the people of Southwark with a centralised customer service centre that will provide them with easy access to all of the borough's services. The state-of-the-art CSC is set to handle over 2 million enquiries via telephone, face-to-face, email etc each year. The first CSC, including a one-stop-shop located within the borough, should be operational by mid-2005, with two further centres planned for 2007.

Pearson Government Solutions and Pearson VUE together have more than 30 years' experience in managing award-winning customer contact programmes and eGovernment projects. Pearson is the world's leading media and education company, whose businesses include Pearson Education, Pearson Assesment & Testing " including Edexcel (the UK's leading examinations awarding body) " the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.

Contact information:
Pearson Government Solutions
Nigel Rourke, Director, Government Solutions
Tel: +44 (0) 7753 937847
E-mail: nigel.rourke@pearson.com

Pearson VUE " UK
Michael Kayser, Contract Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1709 700400
E-mail: michael.kayser@pearson.com