SouthWest One gets third chief executive in five years

An outsourcing partnership between three authorities and IBM has named its third chief executive in five years.

SouthWest One was set up to run services such as IT and human resources, for Somerset county and Taunton Deane borough councils and Avon and Somerset police, to save money.

However, it was branded a failure by Ken Maddock, the then leader of the county council, in February.

SouthWest One said later it was on target with its long-term savings plan.

Ian Bowman, who has worked for IBM for 10 years, has been appointed its new CEO.

Mr Bowman has previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Rolls Royce.

In 2007, SouthWest One won an administration and back office task contract to save the Conservative-led county council about £180m, over 10 years.

However, Mr Maddock said this year the firm was failing to deliver promised savings and "failing to be flexible enough in the changing financial landscape".