Under the agreement, Sapient will provide application support and development services to complement Vertex's deep sector knowledge and expertise. This new contract extends Sapient's three-year relationship with Vertex; most recently, Sapient successfully delivered a complex billing solution that increases service and support to more than 3.5 million consumers served by Vertex.

Vertex Financial Services is the only provider to offer the combined technology and outsourcing capabilities needed to manage open-and-closed book administration and new business acquisitions within the life and pensions and investment markets, as well as distribution, point of sale, application processing and servicing for the mortgage sector.

"We are working with Sapient to improve service for our customers while achieving the highest combination of value and quality," said Andy Hunt, managing director of Vertex Financial Services. "We selected Sapient as our partner based on their deep expertise in applications outsourcing and their track record for driving unparalleled results for their clients."

Sapient will open an office near Vertex Financial Services in Cheltenham, UK, which will work closely with teams in Delhi, India to provide ongoing applications management and development services.

"Vertex Financial Services is leading its sector in the innovative delivery of BPO services, and we are delighted to be their long-term strategic partner," said Sapient Vice President Paul McGolpin. "Sapient and Vertex share a common set of values and a culture that places clients' success first, making us complementary partners. This partnership represents a transformational opportunity for our companies and our people."