A Preston based multi-disciplinary construction business has won places on two framework agreements – one saving the NHS £16 million and the other committed to spending £200 million supporting the public sector.
The Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) and its 60-strong staff will be providing a comprehensive range of construction consultancy services for social and community projects across the UK.
The framework agreements are with the NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) and the Liverpool-headquartered Construction Impact Framework (CIF).
NHS SBS is expected to save the public sector in the region of £16 million during the next four years, with the new framework replacing the current agreement that has been in place since 2014 and has saved the public sector in excess of £12 million, thanks to typical savings of between 10%-15% compared with buying direct.
It enables organisations in both the NHS and wider public sector to access services such as quantity surveying, architecture, mechanical and electrical and project management that FWP specialises in.
CIF’s new framework is a ‘one-stop shop’ providing construction works and services to universities, NHS Foundation Trusts, local authorities and social housing providers, in part, due to its ethical approach to procurement.
The Baltic Triangle company’s social business model and working with communities is central to the CIF ethos and with every contract the company ploughs back 33% of profits into community or charitable services, working hand-in-hand with clients to secure the best possible outcome.
FWP, from its offices in Ribblesdale Place in Preston, has been established for more than 50 years evolving into a multi-disciplinary one-stop construction and property consultancy.
Martin Whittle, managing partner at FWP, said: “We are able to provide in-house the particular mix of disciplines to react swiftly to a client’s resource needs.
“The NHS SBS framework provides a fully compliant route for public sector purchasing teams to access a comprehensive range of construction consultancy services like ours.
“Last year, more than 300 organisations purchased construction consultancy services via the NHS SBS framework, with almost two-thirds (66%) being non-NHS organisations.
“The CIF strategy of procuring construction services while simultaneously supporting initiatives that will hopefully relieve the pressure on public services is one we fully support.
“We have worked previously on projects at Salford Royal Infirmary and John Moores University and we have also had framework agreements in place before with individual NHS Trusts.
“CIF went live in March and NHS SBS on April 1 and we are looking forward to supporting both in the years to come.
“Working on frameworks such as these enables us to protect the jobs of more than 60 staff in Preston city centre and our offices in Manchester and London and it’s a boost to SMEs to be able to share in large public sector contracts.”
NHS SBS is designed to provide the flexibility that public sector procurement managers need and the framework allows organisations to award contracts directly or hold a mini competition.
Phil Davies, NHS SBS Acting Procurement Director, said: “The Construction Consultancy Services Framework enables clients from the NHS and other public sector organisations, such as the emergency services, universities, housing associations and local authorities, to commission construction consultancy services in a simple, streamlined and cost-effective manner.
“The result is a robust Framework that meets the needs of all kinds of public sector bodies, saving them time and effort, delivering excellent results and – crucially – generating considerable cost-savings for the public purse.”
Established in 2015, CIF is creating opportunities for small to medium-sized building contractors who reported an average business growth of 3.5% with continued growth forecast.
The proven economic growth is creating long-term sustainable jobs within the industry, offering a route to work for young people who are engaged in apprenticeship programmes.
Boasting a range of 14 different types of construction works and services, with 64 supply partners, the business is making great strides across the region.
The company’s social business model has also generated interest from across the country with enquiries from throughout the UK, most recently London and Northern Ireland.
One example is a partnership with Liverpool John Moores University which supported Liverpool’s long-established Bronte Youth and Community Centre by commissioning specialists to work alongside the team helping with long term sustainability and an upcoming re-launch.
Also, The Princes Trust in Salford has benefited through funding for 20 places for young people, in conjunction with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.
CIF managing director Sara Lawton said: “It’s been a really positive first few years for CIF; as a business, we have gained both respect and a reputation for ‘doing what we say on the tin’.
“Our initial social impact report churned out lots of amazing statistics, but on a personal note what inspires me the most is the fact that our business has directly helped over 3,000 vulnerable people – that is why we do what we do.”
