United States - February 5, 2010 -- Vertex, an international Customer Management Outsourcing business with clients in the private and public sectors, has appointed Paul Abel as Global Head of Business Development and Strategy.

Commenting on Paul’s arrival, Paul Sweeny, Vertex CEO said: "We intend to grow our offer and presence globally. We will do this by adding-value to the business of our clients’ so they thrive in increasingly complex environments. Paul’s arrival, and contribution within this new role, will be of fundamental importance in delivering this ambition. I am delighted that he is joining the business."

Paul joins from Accenture where he was a partner in the Utilities and Energy practice and was responsible for several large outsourcing wins and contract negotiations over the past five years. Prior to that he spent 12 years with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young in various senior executive roles involving strategy development, company acquisitions, the integration of those acquisitions, outsourcing sales and negotiations as well as a number of regional CFO roles.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul said: "This is a very exciting time to be joining Vertex as it uses its scale and leading capabilities to make a real difference to clients, customers and the bottom line."

About Vertex Customer Management:
Vertex is an international business process outsourcer, with particular experience in customer management. A subsidiary of FTSE 100 company, United Utilities, Vertex develops and implements a range of service solutions including transformational outsourcing, combining our skills in consulting, technology and outsourced service provision to stimulate and facilitate business change and flexibility.