Case Studies
A Livery Company : IT Health Check
The Mercers’ Company
Objectives and project background
Mercers is the premier Livery Company of the City of London and was incorporated
by Royal Charter in 1394. Mercers activities include the ownership and management of a large portfolio of investments, mainly properties in the City and West End of London. The surplus from the Company’s corporate activities contributes to the Company's charitable grant making.
by Royal Charter in 1394. Mercers activities include the ownership and management of a large portfolio of investments, mainly properties in the City and West End of London. The surplus from the Company’s corporate activities contributes to the Company's charitable grant making.
Mercers wanted reassurance that their ICT function was performing in accordance with
best practice for an organisation of its size and complexity. Our brief was to prepare a detailed report of findings and recommendations ordered by importance. An action plan was developed to address the findings.
Anticipated benefits
- Comfort that their ICT processes and controls were fit for purpose.
- Any gaps identified would be addressed by a pragmatic change programme.
Scope and boundaries
- ICT policies and procedures, their maintenance and how they were applied
- ICT management and controls
- Systems security, procedures and documentation
- User documentation
- Staff experience and training
- Systems robustness and downtime
- Contracted service levels and available resource – internal and external
- Adequacy of IT disaster recovery plans
- Review of risk registers
- Licensing review
- High level administration and control review of their property management system
- Project control procedures and documentation
- Telecommunications
Deliverables
- A detailed report documenting the audit findings and recommendations
- A project plan for the implementation of the agreed change
Project conclusion
The Finance Director initiated a programme of change for the ICT function based on our recommendations.