Standard Life overhauls IT department and cuts jobs

Standard Life is to axe a number of IT staff following a review of its IT and operations division.

The insurer is looking to cut 69 jobs across IT and facilities and is entering a period of consultation with its staff association on the proposed changes, which will last a minimum of 30 days.

Standard Life is also negotiating the outsourcing of its network and telephony services to BT - the deal will mean the potential transfer of 17 staff to BT under a TUPE agreement.

According to the company, the affected employees were briefed on the changes this afternoon by the group's people and operations director Sandy Begbie.

The proposed changes "will ensure greater synergies, greater capacity to serve our customers and provide clarity of roles for our people," said a company spokesman.

The news follows the shake-up in IT management at the company, revealed by Computer Weekly earlier this month. Former director of operations and IT Christian Torkington left the company and Begbie - who joined Standard Life in January 2010 - gained executive responsibility for all group central functions including IT, facilities and procurement.

In addition, former IT director at Aegon Paul Chong joined Standard Life this month as group IT and commercial director, a newly created position.