International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has announced that it has been selected for the Cost Management Lot on Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) £88 million Professional Services Framework.
Bids for the four-year programme were invited across ten strategic lots and associated specialist sub-lots (A-Q), covering a range of services from transport systems to engineering consultancy provision and quantity surveying. The framework was originally slated to begin in 2020, however its commencement was postponed by TfGM as a result of the exceptional challenges facing the industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The latest incarnation of the Professional Services Framework is intended to provide an efficient, quick and compliant procurement route to help meet TfGM’s consultancy and advisory support needs as it works toward realising its long-term plan of creating an integrated, modern public transport network across the region. To that end, the services of successful bidders will be available for use by more than 20 local councils in the north of England, as well as Transport for the North, Nexus, and The Urban Transport Group, amongst other bodies.
Paul Knighting, head of UK infrastructure for Gleeds based out of the Manchester Office, said, “This is a significant win for our team in the north and I am delighted that Gleeds’ expertise and experience of working with a varied roster of clients in the infrastructure sector shone through during the highly competitive bid process. TfGM oversees transport and travel across Greater Manchester, home to the UK’s largest regional economy outside London and a diverse population of over 2.8 million people. It is vital that its transport system is efficient, able to support sustainable economic growth, and ultimately improves the quality of life for all by being accessible, affordable and reliable in line with the region’s wider Transport Strategy.”
As a result of its continued growth in the north, Gleeds has confirmed that Paul Mann is to join its senior leadership team as regional director for cost consultancy, covering the business’ offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle. Paul joins the company from Mace, where he spent 13 years looking after its northern cost consultancy offering, predominately focusing on commercial property and regeneration.
Regional director for the North of England, Brian McArdle, added, “Paul is joining the team at the ideal time, with the successful bid for TfGM, major Healthcare Project successes, new schemes underway for Nexus, and a further appointment under Homes England for the York Central Partnership recently secured, he joins an already buoyant team which is expected to continue to grow throughout this year and beyond. His experience and reputation in the region speaks volumes and I am certain that he will prove to be a valuable addition to the team, working with other recent senior recruits like Paul Knighting, as we continue to increase our presence across the North.”
