Xansa, the outsourcing and technology company, has won a contract to establish and manage an internet platform for three Government departments.

This deal, valued at #27 million over five years, will see Xansa provide web and content management services.

The platform will initially support Directgov, where people can access public services all in one place, the Department of Health's corporate web offering and various electronic services from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

The company claims it will be able to "provide significant benefits in terms of lower cost of ownership and reduced burden on resources in maintaining these systems".

It is intended to allow the three departments - known as 'The Club' - to share development, creating common functionality, re-use of components, and a reduction in time to market.

The statement went on: "In addition Xansa will bring to bear its expertise in integrating, building and managing electronic services and information portals, enhancing the experience for the Govern-ment's customers and help share best practice across departments.

"New Government departments will be able to join The Club in short timescales and at a reduced cost and risk compared with those of running their own systems."

Commenting on the announcement Kevin McLean, head of the strategy and performance unit in the DfES technology group, said: "I am very pleased that The Club is working with Xansa, engaging their technical expertise in a new service.

"Our aim is cost-effective, high-quality public sector online services so that people can quickly connect with what they need. This innovative partnership across Government will deliver cost efficiencies and improved quality of e-government services."

Alistair Cox, chief executive of Xansa, which employs about 300 people in the West Midlands in offices in Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull, said: "The Club crosses over boundaries between departments and will benefit organ-isations and citizens.

"This contract further reinforces Xansa's leadership as an innovator within Government services following on from the establishment of NHS SBS, our joint venture with the Department of Health."

NHS Shared Business Services is claimed to be the first such public/private JV carried out by the DoH.

It recently won a contract worth up to #30 million over six years to provide finance, accounting and payroll services to organisations in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority.

Xansa, which employs around 7,000 people in the UK, also works for the Metropolitan Police and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Profits rose from #6.7 million to #7.8 million after it landed additional contracts and transferred increasing workloads to India. Turnover was #175.9 million in the six months to October 31.