National Outsourcing Association (NOA): History, Evolution to GSA, and Industry Impact

---

Key Takeaways

• The National Outsourcing Association (NOA) was founded in 1987 — originally as the Network Outsourcing Association — by major UK corporate buyers including British Telecom and British Rail.
• In October 2016, after 29 years of operation, the NOA rebranded to become the UK chapter of the Global Sourcing Association (GSA), reflecting the industry’s shift from “outsourcing” to the broader concept of “sourcing.”
• The NOA developed Pathway, a university-accredited professional qualification, published Outsource Magazine, and hosted the annual NOA Awards with 400+ professionals attending.
• Today’s GSA UK has over 10,000 members across buyers, vendors, and advisors, and offers accredited training programs convertible to a Masters degree through Portsmouth University.

---

What Was the National Outsourcing Association?

The National Outsourcing Association (NOA) was a UK-based not-for-profit trade association and professional body founded in 1987. It was the first European organization dedicated to promoting best practices in outsourcing.

Contrary to what many assume, the NOA was never a government body or a certification authority for outsourcing providers. It was an industry-led membership organization designed to elevate the quality, transparency, and strategic value of outsourcing through education, advocacy, and community building.

Key facts at a glance:

Fact	Detail
Founded	1987
Original Name	Network Outsourcing Association
Incorporation Date	7 July 1995
Renamed to NOA	11 October 2001
Founder/Chairman	Martyn Hart
CEO	Kerry Hallard
HQ	United Kingdom
Status	Not-for-profit trade association
Rebranded to GSA	October 2016

---

Founding and Early History (1987–2001)

The NOA began as the Network Outsourcing Association, created in 1987 by a consortium of major UK corporate buyers — including British Telecom and British Rail — who recognized the need for standardized approaches to outsourcing during its early growth phase. The initiative was led by Martyn Hart, who had been involved in information and communications technology for over 30 years.

The early focus was practical: fostering collaboration between buyers and suppliers, developing risk management frameworks, and establishing service delivery standards in sectors like telecommunications and transportation.

Formal incorporation as The Network Outsourcing Association Limited occurred on 7 July 1995 — a private company limited by guarantee without share capital. The transition to the National Outsourcing Association name took effect on 11 October 2001, reflecting a matured organization with broader national scope.

---

Growth and Key Initiatives (2001–2016)

The OUT Group and Commercial Expansion

In 2004, the NOA created the OUT Group, its commercial arm responsible for revenue-generating activities that would support the association’s not-for-profit mission. The group enabled the NOA to offer paid services — including research reports, benchmarking tools, and consulting — while keeping membership fees accessible.

Outsource Magazine

In 2006, the NOA partnered with Outsource Magazine (published by EMP Media), making it the association’s official partner publication. Outsource Magazine became the first independent magazine dedicated to the outsourcing sector and achieved ABC audit certification in September 2011 — the first outsourcing publication to do so.

The Pathway Professional Qualification

The NOA developed Pathway, a university-accredited professional development qualification designed specifically for the UK’s outsourcing industry. Unlike many professional certifications that rely on exams, Pathway used a work-based learning approach — candidates were assessed on papers they submitted based on real workplace challenges. This made the qualification directly relevant to practitioners and valuable to employers.

National Outsourcing Awards

The annual NOA Awards became one of the association’s flagship events. Held at venues like the London Hilton on Park Lane, the awards brought together over 400 outsourcing professionals across up to 11 categories including Best IT Outsourcing Team and Outsourcing Contact Centre of the Year. Winners included Firstsource, Conectys, and Miratech.

Government Advocacy and Research

The NOA actively lobbied UK government and regulators on outsourcing-related policy. It produced research publications, policy submissions, and guidelines aimed at influencing procurement standards and regulatory frameworks. It operated sourcingfocus.com, a leading online news resource for the sourcing community.

European and Global Role

The NOA served as the parent organization of the federal European Outsourcing Association (EOA) — a network of national outsourcing associations across Europe. This positioned the NOA as a driving force in shaping European outsourcing standards.

---

The Rebrand: From NOA to Global Sourcing Association (2016)

In October 2016, after 29 years of operation, the NOA announced a fundamental rebranding. The National Outsourcing Association became the UK chapter of the newly formed Global Sourcing Association (GSA).

This was not a cosmetic change. Several forces drove the decision:

1. Globalization of the Industry. Outsourcing had become a cross-border activity operating across dozens of countries. A “National” identity no longer fit the global nature of the business.

2. The Limits of “Outsourcing.” The word “outsourcing” no longer captured the full spectrum of shared services, global business services, strategic partnerships, and technology-enabled delivery models. The broader term “sourcing” was more accurate.

3. The Global Sourcing Standard. Over eight years, the association’s members had developed the Global Sourcing Standard — a unified framework of best practices reviewed by more than 200 organizations. This standard needed a global home.

4. Consolidation of European Associations. The rebrand also consolidated the European Outsourcing Association (EOA) under the GSA umbrella.

The rebrand was officially announced on October 8, 2016, positioning the GSA as a global professional body with GSA-UK as its founding chapter.

---

The GSA Era: What the Association Does Today

Today’s Global Sourcing Association UK represents over 10,000 members across buyers, vendors, and advisors. It remains a not-for-profit organization focused on advancing global sourcing standards.

Professional Development

The GSA UK’s training program builds on the work started with Pathway. Current offerings include:
– Training courses delivered online and in-person — from foundation courses to executive masterclasses
– GSA qualifications including the GSA Diploma, equivalent to one-third of a Masters degree and convertible through Portsmouth University
– Modular structure allowing professionals to consume content as continuing education or convert it into formal qualifications over time

The Global Strategic Sourcing Standard

The standard developed during the NOA years continues today, covering the end-to-end lifecycle of strategic sourcing including value creation through relationship management, ethical sourcing, and sustainability.

Events and Awards

The annual GSA Symposium convenes buyers, providers, and advisors to discuss emerging trends. The GSA Professional Awards continue the legacy of the NOA Awards, recognizing excellence in service provision, innovation, and leadership.

Research and Thought Leadership

The GSA publishes research such as the Recalibrating for Resiliency study (2021), which analyzed post-pandemic challenges in sourcing resilience and supplier management. The association maintains content hubs on AI in sourcing, agile sourcing, and supplier diversity.

Sustainability and Ethics

The GSA is a founding member of the FormIGA global Industry for Good Alliance, committing the organization to balancing commercial performance with environmental and social responsibility.

---

Common Misconceptions About the NOA

Several myths about the National Outsourcing Association persist, particularly among US buyers who encounter the term while researching BPO providers.

Myth: “The NOA was a government body.” — Reality: The NOA was a membership-based trade association. It had no statutory authority over outsourcing providers.

Myth: “The NOA certified outsourcing providers.” — Reality: The NOA did not certify providers. Its Pathway qualification was for individual professionals, not organizations. Provider certifications fall under standards like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA.

Myth: “There is a US equivalent to the NOA.” — Reality: There has never been a US National Outsourcing Association. The closest US-facing organization is the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP), which runs the Global Outsourcing 100 program. Other relevant organizations include the Shared Services & Outsourcing Network (SSON) and CIPS.

Myth: “‘National Outsourcing Association’ refers to a current organization.” — Reality: The NOA brand has been phased out. Anyone claiming current NOA affiliation is referencing an organization that ceased to exist under that name in 2016.

---

The NOA’s Legacy in the Global Sourcing Industry

Ten years after the rebrand, the NOA’s legacy can be seen across several dimensions of modern sourcing:

Professional Standards. The Pathway qualification and work-based learning approach influenced how sourcing professionals are trained globally. The GSA Diploma remains a recognized credential.

Industry Research. The NOA’s emphasis on evidence-based benchmarking over anecdotal success stories helped elevate the quality of decision-making in outsourcing.

Global Framework. The Global Sourcing Standard, developed through contributions from over 200 organizations, provides a reference point for best practices not tied to any single market.

European Integration. The NOA’s role as parent of the European Outsourcing Association helped create a more connected European sourcing community.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the National Outsourcing Association?
The NOA was a UK-based not-for-profit trade body founded in 1987 to promote best practices in outsourcing. It was the first European association of its kind.

When was the National Outsourcing Association founded?
1987, originally as the Network Outsourcing Association. It was incorporated on 7 July 1995 and renamed the National Outsourcing Association on 11 October 2001.

Who founded the National Outsourcing Association?
Martyn Hart, who became its Chairman. Founding corporate members included British Telecom and British Rail. Kerry Hallard later served as CEO.

Why did the NOA rebrand to the GSA?
The rebrand reflected globalization of the industry, the broader scope of “sourcing” beyond “outsourcing,” and the need for a unified global standard developed by over 200 organizations.

When did the NOA become the GSA?
October 2016. The announcement was made on October 8, 2016, at the European Outsourcing Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Does the NOA still exist?
The NOA brand has been phased out. Its successor is the Global Sourcing Association (GSA UK).

What was the NOA Awards?
An annual event with up to 11 categories celebrating excellence in outsourcing. Winners included Firstsource, Conectys, and Miratech. The awards continue as the GSA Professional Awards today.

What is the Pathway qualification?
A university-accredited professional development qualification developed by the NOA. It uses work-based learning assessment rather than exams.

Is there a US National Outsourcing Association?
No. There has never been a US body by that name. The closest equivalent is the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP).

What does the GSA do today?
GSA UK represents over 10,000 members, delivers accredited sourcing training, hosts the annual GSA Symposium, publishes research, and promotes the Global Strategic Sourcing Standard.

---

This article was written for informational purposes. It is not sponsored or endorsed by the Global Sourcing Association.