THE future of 500 jobs at Securicor Information Systems look safe for the moment, after a ten-month management buy-out was finally signed and sealed on Monday.

Around a quarter of the computer firm's employees lost their jobs, or accepted voluntary redundancy last September, when the company reached the end of a major police information systems contract.

In a bid to protect the jobs and the future of the company, a new management team, led by chief executive, Bruce Brain, launched a buy-out.

Ten months later and thanks to £20.5million of private funding from Investors Kleinwort Capital Ltd, Mr Brain says the deal has sealed the future of the 30-year-old firm and could even mean new jobs in the coming months.

"The process has been longer and more arduous than we expected," said Mr Brain.

"Management buy-outs are not easy, but the team battled through and we are now very pleased with the result."

"In reality, the buy-out will make very little difference to most of our employees," continued Mr Brain.

"But I think that most people appreciate that a lot of work has gone into it and that our main objective has always been to protect jobs and secure the future success of the company.

Mr Brain confirmed plans to take on around 50 more contractor staff in the coming months and said the company is now looking forward to getting on with the job of maintaining the company's leading position in the field of public safety and local government information technology.

Operating under its new name, Vivista, the firm, which has already provided communications systems to all of the emergency services, will be now responsible for implementing three of the most important contracts under the Government's National Strategy for Police Information Systems - including implementing the Airwave Digital Radio network to all of the UK's 42 police forces.

In 2001, Vivista, operating as Securicor, also secured a five-year £7.5m county contract to install technology systems for Wiltshire County Council.

"Our new name, Vivista, was inspired by a working group who wanted to give us a new, fresh and energetic identity, which suggested integrity," Mr Brain continued.

"And I think that our integrity has been key to the buy-out.

"Our jobs are safe, our strategy is in place and we are confident about the future.

"Our priority is now to get on with the work in hand," added Mr Brain.

"There are some great opportunities for the company coming up."

Vivista's staff gathered at The Olympiad Leisure Centre in Monkton Park, Chippenham on Wednesday for a presentation by the firm's management team.