Projects
Our Projects team boasts a track record of innovative projects and leading edge advice. We support and advise clients throughout the entire lifecycle of a project, from structuring a deal, through the complex procurement aspects of national frameworks such as LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust), BSF (Building Schools for the Future) and Express LIFT to negotiating contracts and delivering schemes. We assist clients to complete projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.
We are particularly noted for our expertise in the primary healthcare sector and act for two major private sector investors in the NHS LIFT Programme. We continue to advise on a variety of innovative and ground-breaking accommodation projects involving new state-of-the-art primary care facilities, including the first two LIFT schemes to use the “land retained agreement”, the first scheme to provide “soft” (cleaning and security) services, s106 schemes involving the provision of “shell & core” accommodation and series of jointly commissioned projects.
Our Finance team has acted for several of the principal funders in the UK projects and healthcare markets and has provided innovative solutions to some complex funding problems. We also continue to advise building contractors, FM (facilities management) service providers and consultants across the project delivery supply chain.
Our dedicated team was shortlisted for the “Best Adviser” award at the 2009 LIFT Awards, for a combination of technical excellence, a highly commercial, no-nonsense approach and know-how of the market sectors in which we specialise.
Experience
Taking the lead: First use of land retained agreement (LRA)
We acted for Elevate Partnerships (Liftco under Barnet, Enfield & Haringey LIFT project) for Hornsey Central Community Hospital to negotiate first use of the land retained agreement (LRA) under the LIFT programme, in effect the NHS PFI (private finance initiative) project agreement adapted for LIFT. We have subsequently closed a second large LRA scheme in Hampshire with a further LRA schedule in progress in Finchley.
Paving the way: First use of soft services under LIFT
We acted for gbprimarycare consortium and South East Essex Liftco at The Paddocks, Canvey Island on the pathfinder procurement of “soft” services under LIFT under this 4th wave scheme. We subsequently negotiated the terms of lease of a major pharmacy outlet to service the population of Canvey Island.
Delivering integrated schemes
Our experience covers a wide range of jointly commissioned health and social care schemes involving the integration of complementary facilities and services, including co-location of health with Sure Start (Earle Road, Liverpool), community library (Jubilee Gardens, Ealing), leisure complex (Norwood Hall, Lewisham) and key worker accommodation (Forest Road, Barnet and White City, Hammersmith).
Pioneering LIFT documentation for Fulcrum
Advice on adaptations of standard LIFT documentation at Croydon Parkway, Daniels Centre Ealing and White City to deal with unconventional schemes, including leases of “shell & core” fit-out accommodation under section 106 arrangements forming part of larger combined retail and residential developments.
Launch of specialist adult mental hospital
Delivery of a large specialist adult mental health unit for gbprimarycare in Southampton, involving negotiation of contract terms specific to secure accommodation and related services.
Ground-breaking PPP project
Acted for BHE Developments at St James University Teaching Hospital, Leeds to negotiate the terms of a PPP project involving the design and build of a self-financed hospital front entrance and retail mall scheme at Europe’s largest teaching hospital.