Post Office scandal reveals a hidden world of outsourced IT the government trusts but does not understand
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Friday, April 30, 2021 7:40 AM UTC
The convictions of 39 Post Office workers were quashed on April 23 after the UK’s court of appeal heard that the crimes for which they’d been accused were in fact caused by the organisation’s Horizon IT system.
The system, supplied by Japanese IT services provider Fujitsu, had erroneously registered cash shortfalls in Post Office branches, leading to hundreds of convictions of theft, fraud and false accounting between 2000 and 2014. The scandal is one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history.
The convictions of 39 Post Office workers were quashed on April 23 after the UK’s court of appeal heard that the crimes for which they’d been accused were in fact caused by the organisation’s Horizon IT system.
The system, supplied by Japanese IT services provider Fujitsu, had erroneously registered cash shortfalls in Post Office branches, leading to hundreds of convictions of theft, fraud and false accounting between 2000 and 2014. The scandal is one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history.
But the Post Office scandal reveals a wider issue. After decades of outsourcing IT systems, government officials no longer have control over technologies that can ruin people’s lives. To avoid future scandals, we need to take responsibility for the digital systems at the heart of governance – instead of just scapegoating IT firms and their products when things go wrong.
Premier Inc. President Michael J. Alkire to Succeed Susan DeVore as Chief Executive Officer
Premier Inc. President Michael J. Alkire to Succeed Susan DeVore as Chief Executive Officer Premier Inc. (NASDAQ: PINC) today announced that after nearly 18 years of distinguished service, Susan DeVore is retiring as the companys chief executive officer and a member of its Board of Directors, effective May 1, 2021. Michael J. Alkire, president of Premier, will succeed DeVore and serve as president, CEO and a member of the Board, also effective May 1, 2021. To ensure a smooth transition, DeVore will remain with Premier through June 30, 2021, and will continue as an advisor to the company for two years after that.
DeVore to Retire on June 30, 2021; Alkire to Assume President and CEO Role Effective May 1, 2021
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Premier Inc. today announced that after nearly 18 years of distinguished service, Susan DeVore is retiring as the company’s chief executive officer and a member of its Board of Directors, effective May 1, 2021. Michael J. Alkire, president of Premier, will succeed DeVore and serve as president, CEO and a member of the Board, also effective May 1, 2021. To ensure a smooth transition, DeVore will remain with Premier through June 30, 2021, and will continue as an advisor to the company for two years after that. “Today’s announcement is the culmination of the Board’s diligent, long-range succession planning process and comes at a time when the company is well positioned to further advance its strategic objectives and create long-term stockholder value,” said Board Chair Terry Shaw. “I believe Mike is the ideal person to lead the ongoing evolution of
Joan Henry appointed chief economist and head of research at Knight Frank Economist has over 20 years of experience in property, banking and consultancy
Wed, Jan 27, 2021, 06:00
Knight Frank has appointed Joan Henry as its new chief economist and head of research.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the areas of banking, consultancy and property, Ms Henry brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She previously worked as head of research both with Savills Ireland and BNP Paribas Real Estate and is credited with having built both companies’ research capabilities and their respective profiles with clients and the media.
Ms Henry’s experience and expertise covers all property sectors; the investment market, the occupier markets – offices, retail and industrial as well as new homes and residential. She also holds a PSRA licence.