Company earns place on biggest ever Government building framework

Leeds-based construction firm Morris & Spottiswood has secured a place on a record-breaking Government construction works framework worth a total of £30bn.

The business, which specialises in refurbishment, fit-out and mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering, has been named as one of just 128 businesses to work on developments from secure Government facilities to hospitals, airports, schools and MoD properties over the next seven years.

The Crown Commercial Services framework is designed to enable a wider range of businesses to undertake government contracts and reduce the time and costs for public sector organisations to procure services individually.

Morris & Spottiswood which also has offices in Warrington, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, was appointed to two lots applied for out of the 38 available – one each in the north of England and Scotland, covering a wide range of construction works up to the value of £3m.

Prior experience of working on frameworks for the Department for Work and Pensions, Scottish Courts Service and higher education organisations helped the business demonstrate its capability of delivering projects within the public sector.

Matthew Wall, public sector frameworks manager, said the company had mobilised a team dedicated to the framework at an early stage, which contributed to demonstrating the necessary expertise, knowledge, skills, systems, processes and technology.

He added: “The new framework will provide best value on cost and social value following the inclusion of various SMEs.

“We are proud to have secured a place on it, demonstrating our strength in both public and private sector delivery, and we look forward to helping a range of organisations deliver their construction projects.”

The framework aims to benefit smaller businesses and ensure fair working practices such as prompt payment and combined training and development programmes.

Although Morris & Spottiswood is not regarded as an SME, it will use locally based supply chains to deliver framework services, ensuring any money invested remains within the communities it operates in.

Securing a place on this major industry framework was a key priority for Morris & Spottiswood as it continues to expand the business in line with its 10 year growth strategy.

The place win will also allow the firm to grow its workforce and make its framework delivery teams stronger through increased delivery of public sector projects.

Wall said: “Our culture and integrated partnering approach is a strong fit for the values and needs of the new framework.

“Organisations that work with us praise us for our intelligent, collaborative and engaging approach. A big part of this is our commitment to creating extensive and sustainable social value opportunities through our projects having developed a number of initiatives on the Department for Work and Pensions framework.

“Our success in earning a place on the CCS framework demonstrates we are viewed as a trusted and capable delivery partner in our key regions.

“We look forward to being part of a framework that seeks to continuously innovate, deliver projects more efficiently and deliver service excellence and first class facilities, actively promoting shared knowledge across our own teams and the wider public sector.”