WNS (Holdings) Limited (NYSE: WNS), a leading provider of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, today hosted the ‘Know Your BPO’ event for Police Officers at the WNS headquarters in Mumbai. This was part of the annual ‘Cyber Safe Thane 2010’ initiative being held from 18-20, Nov. 2010. The two-hour event had more than 30 senior officials from Thane Police and National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) participating in an interactive session comprising multiple presentations; a facility tour to understand the security measures and engagement with employees at all levels to identify the concerns and awareness on information security; and the safety measures therein.

“Today, we are facing increased incidents of cyber theft and cyber frauds as a result of the rampant usage of the Internet,” said Dhananjay Kamalakar, IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, Thane. “The ‘Cyber Safe Thane 2010’ is a three-day joint initiative by Thane Police, NASSCOM and DSCI, to build awareness and security measures about cyber safety amongst various sections of society including Thane Police officials, the Information Technology industry, academia and citizens of Thane at large. It has been carefully designed to help individuals understand and protect themselves from online threats while using the Internet,” he added.

“As the world’s third largest Internet user, India is experiencing an increasing number of cyber threats and crimes, and the growing IT / ITES industry in India is highly sensitive to such a vulnerable environment,” said Keshav R. Murugesh, Group CEO, WNS Global Services. “WNS believes that it is our civic and social responsibility to educate and familiarize Police Officers with the practices of BPO operations to better equip the police in arresting cyber crime. After the very successful launch of the ‘Know Your BPO’ event in May 2010, for Mumbai Police, which included training more than 150 Mumbai Police Officers, WNS is planning to take the initiative to other parts of the country, beginning with Thane.”
“We are delighted to associate with WNS to impart cyber security training to the Police Officials. The training follows a holistic approach towards new technologies, online fraud and cyber crime,” says cyber guru Vijay Mukhi.

“It was a great learning experience at WNS on how a transaction made in our industry is protected by high-end security techniques,” said Rajiv Vaishnav, Vice President – NASSCOM.

Source:http://press.forestlaneshul.com/wns-hosts-thane-police-at-know-your-bpo-event-12359.html

WNS Limited , a leading provider of global business process outsourcing (BPO) services, today announced results for the fiscal second quarter 2011 ended September 30, 2010.

Fiscal Second Quarter 2011 Financial Highlights

Revenue for the fiscal second quarter 2011 increased by 5.6 percent to $154.2 million, compared to $146.0 million in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year, and increased by 2.8 percent sequentially from $150.0 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2011. Revenue less repair payments* for the fiscal second quarter 2011 declined 6.6 percent to $93.1 million, compared to $99.7 million in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year, and increased 4.3 percent sequentially from $89.3 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2011. Revenue less repair payments declined largely as a result of the change in pricing terms with a large travel client, the weaker British Pound compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2010, lower volumes in the insurance and travel businesses. These headwinds were partially offset by the positive impact of improved pricing with a large insurance client and ramp ups of business with existing clients. The sequential increase in revenue less repair payments was a result of a stronger British Pound, improved pricing with a large insurance client and ramp ups of business with existing clients.

Gross margin, as a percent of revenues were 21.5 percent in the fiscal second quarter 2011, compared to 25.3 percent in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year and 17.8 percent in the fiscal first quarter of 2011. WNS’s adjusted gross margin excluding share based compensation expense*, as a percent of revenue less repair payments, decreased to 35.9 percent in the fiscal second quarter 2011, compared to 38.2 percent in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year, and increased compared to 30.1 percent in the fiscal first quarter of 2011. The decrease compared with the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year was primarily due to the impact of wage inflation, a stronger Indian Rupee and the change in pricing with a key travel client, as mentioned above. The sequential increase in adjusted gross margin excluding share based compensation* was primarily due to a lower number of employees on a quarterly average basis, a stronger British Pound and LEAN initiatives which have led to operational improvements.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses, as a percentage of revenues, were 12.7 percent in the fiscal second quarter 2011, compared to 15.1 percent in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year and 13.1 percent in the fiscal first quarter of 2011. Adjusted Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses excluding share based compensation expense and related fringe benefit tax*, as a percentage of revenue less repair payments, were 20.3 percent in the fiscal second quarter 2011, compared to 18.7 percent in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year and 21.5 percent in the fiscal first quarter of 2011.

Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 3.6 percent in the fiscal second quarter 2011, compared to operating income of 4.6 percent in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year and operating loss of 0.5 percent in the fiscal first quarter of 2011. Adjusted operating income excluding amortization of intangible assets, share based compensation and related fringe benefit tax*, as a percentage of revenue less repair payments, was 15.6 percent in the fiscal second quarter 2011, compared to 19.5 percent in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year and 8.6 percent in the fiscal first quarter of 2011. Operating margins during the fiscal second quarter were negatively impacted, as compared with the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year, by a change in pricing with a larger travel client, wage inflation and a stronger Indian Rupee. Operating margins improved sequentially as a result of a price increase with a large insurance client, a stronger British Pound and LEAN initiatives which have led to operational improvements.

Net income attributable to WNS shareholders for the fiscal second quarter 2011 was $4.9 million or $0.11 diluted income per ADS, compared to net income attributable to WNS shareholders of $1.4 million or $0.02 diluted income per ADS in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year and net loss attributable to WNS shareholders of $6.0 million or $0.14 diluted loss per ADS in the fiscal first quarter of 2011. Adjusted net income* for the fiscal second quarter 2011 was $13.8 million or $0.31 adjusted diluted income per ADS, compared to $13.7 million or $0.31 adjusted diluted income per ADS in the corresponding quarter in the prior fiscal year and adjusted net income of $2.2 million or $0.05 adjusted diluted income per ADS in the fiscal first quarter of 2011.

Operational Highlights

“This quarter, we made significant progress on the five-point plan I had elaborated on during our last earnings call. We are eliminating waste and are running a more efficient organization. We are now operating as a vertical-led structure and have added top-quality talent to our sales, vertical and horizontal teams. Our renewed focus on domain offerings and sales and marketing will continue to positively impact our pipeline while positioning us in larger and more sophisticated deals,” said Group Chief Executive Officer Keshav Murugesh.

“We still have opportunities to both streamline our business and expand our pipeline. We see tremendous growth potential in the global market and believe we are very well positioned to take advantage of these trends,” continued Murugesh.

Fiscal 2011 Guidance

WNS updated its revenue less repair payments guidance and reaffirmed its adjusted net income guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011 as follows:

Revenue less repair payments is now expected to be between $363 million and $378 million. This assumes an average GBP to USD exchange rate of 1.55 for the second half of the 2011 fiscal year, implying an average full year rate of 1.53. Adjusted net income is expected to range between $43 million and $46 million. This assumes an average USD to INR exchange rate of 45 for the second half of the 2011 fiscal year, implying an average full year rate of 45.5.

“We have significantly improved our profitability this past quarter compared to the fiscal first quarter. In spite of a stronger Rupee, we are still on track in terms of our ANI guidance as a result of operational improvements which have led to a reduction in costs, a stronger British Pound and our long-term hedging strategy,” said Alok Misra, Group Chief Financial Officer. “We are investing some of our cost savings back into the business, supporting our front end and increasing our hunting and farming resources.”

Conference Call

WNS will host a conference call on October 27, 2010 at 8:00 am (EDT) to discuss the company’s quarterly results.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/wns-announces-second-quarter-fiscal-2011-earnings-2010-10-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp

WNS (Holdings) Limited (NYSE: WNS), a leading provider of global business process outsourcing (BPO) services, today announced that the company has appointed Ronald Strout as Chief of Staff and Head, Americas. He will represent the Group CEO’s office in the Americas. Strout will accelerate WNS’s renewed focus on client interactions, leadership development, creation of new offerings, market penetration of new services and driving strategic initiatives.

Strout has over three decades of experience in building and transforming businesses in large and small corporate environments as well as extensive exposure to consulting and the Financial Services industry. Previous leadership roles include the Senior Vice President at State Street Corporation and Partner / Managing Director at Bearing Point, formerly KPMG Consulting, Inc. Additionally, as Chairman of State Street Corporation’s JV in India, he was closely involved in establishing a robust BPO entity serving the capital markets and custodial banking space, based out of India.

Keshav R. Murugesh, Group CEO, WNS Global Services, said, “WNS is constantly investing in its leadership pipeline to enhance horizontal, vertical and sales capabilities. Ron’s impressive track record is testimony to his ability to delight clients, build and transform businesses and run key initiatives, making him the right choice for WNS.”

Source:http://www.itnewsonline.com/news/WNS-Appoints-Ronald-Strout-as-Chief-of-Staff-and-Head—Americas/20727/8/1