RLB UK has been appointed to the University of Birmingham’s innovative new “Build Higher” construction framework, supporting both the University and the wider Higher Education Sector.
The new suite of procurement frameworks, launched to support the University’s ambitious capital development plans, will allow the University to build longer-term relationships with key contractors and consultants who provide construction, design and surveying services.
The University has made major investments in its campus facilities in the last 10 years, with the construction of a new library, major green space, Collaborative Teaching Laboratory and Sport and Fitness Centre. Further developments are in the pipeline, to ensure that students in future generations have buildings that are exciting and innovative as well as being fit for purpose.
University of Birmingham Director of Estates, Trevor Payne, said: “We have an ambitious plan for the future of our campus and our objective is to create the best possible environment in which our students can achieve, and our academic colleagues can undertake world-leading research. The creation of our own construction framework is a natural next step, as we look to secure the support of the very best in the industry. The frameworks will be for 10 years and will be open for use by all HE Institutions, reflecting the vision we have for the University and the sector as a whole.”
Stephen Scott, Partner and National Head of Education for RLB UK, added: “Being appointed as part of the Client Side Surveying Support framework is really exciting for the RLB team. Creating a series of frameworks that are open to other Higher Education establishments is an innovative approach to procurement and shows the progressive mindset the University of Birmingham has toward estate management.”
University of Birmingham Head of Procurement, Jonathan Jones, added: “The University of Birmingham has always prided itself on its scale of ambition to deliver first rate services and resources for its students and staff. With a planned additional infrastructure investment of £500 million over the next few years, we also wanted to develop further procurement opportunities by creating our own University construction framework. This framework not only allows the University to optimise its value for money but is also available for other universities to use and benefit from the collective spending power and contractor relationship development.
“By working closely with our key contractors, we can collectively develop additional opportunities with initiatives such as social value, environmental enhancements and sponsorship opportunities.”
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