OGC appoints Rufus Leonard for major web relaunch, following COI pitch

06 March 2006

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC), the Treasury-backed agency responsible for promoting best practice, efficiency and better procurement in the public sector, has appointed Rufus Leonard, the brand and digital media consultancy to re-design and re-develop its web presence. The appointment follows a three–way pitch, organised by the COI, who were themselves responsible for developing the brief and requirements. The contract will last for up to 5 years, and will also include ongoing support and maintenance for the new site.

OGC is looking to raise its profile, following a decision to expand its market coverage to include local authorities, health and education, and emergency services, as well as central government departments. This means that the web is going to play an increasingly important part in reaching out in a cost effective manner to these audiences, which are spread right across the country.

As part of the project Rufus Leonard will be looking at the online image of OGC to make it more accessible to its target audiences. The new website will also include more overt recognition of key customer groups, as well as improved navigation and site structure.

The project includes purchase and installation of a new content management system and new hosting arrangements. Rufus Leonard partners ReD Dot and NTT Verio will be part of the new web platform.

Andrew Pinkess, Strategy Director of Rufus Leonard, said: “We are delighted to be working on such an important project with an organisation that is at the heart of ensuring that tax payers get value for money from public spending. We are also excited at the prospect of helping to raise the profile of OGC and making it more accessible to its main customers”.

Marcus Bennett, Head of Customer Communication at OGC and sponsor of the project, commented: “OGC is supporting delivery of the public sector’s target of £21.5 billion annual efficiency gains by 2008, as well as many of the government’s ‘mission critical projects’. The new website is a key component of our communication plan that will help deliver those challenging targets and we are delighted to have Rufus Leonard on board to help ensure the website achieves its full potential.”