Department of Transport

BR’s Quality & Safety Services business sold to MBO team
_______________________________________________________________

date 13 November 1995
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 351

British Rail's Quality & Safety Services business has been sold to a
Management Buy Out team, John Watts, Minister for Railways and Roads,
revealed today.

Already in competition with private sector consultancies, Q&SS
supplies the rail industry with consultancy advice on quality
management systems, especially certification, and safety and
environmental advice such as risk assessment, audit and training
packages.

Welcoming the sale as yet more evidence of the momentum of rail
privatisation, Mr Watts said:

"Q&SS is a market leader in providing consultancy advice and training
on quality, safety and contract engineering to the rail industry.
Without the constraints of public ownership, Q&SS will be free to
expand its business in direct competition with private sector
companies.

"Each passing week sees privatisation gathering momentum. We have
already made substantial progress and I am confident that the coming
months will see a flood of announcements and successful sales. Rail
privatisation is real, and it's happening now."

A number of organisations expressed interest in the business, which
led to a range of competitive bids. Q&SS employs about 55 staff,
predominantly based in Derby.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Q&SS is among the first of the BR's Central Services businesses to
be sold. A number of other Central Service businesses have also been
sold in recent months, including Baileyfield Switches and Crossings
Works, Ditton Timber Treatment Works, and OBS (catering) Services. BR
plan to dispose of about 20 other support businesses by the end of
the financial year.

Railhub Archive ::: 1995-11-13 DoT-002