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Discover moreG&T hosts roundtable: thinking differently about the role of the market in project success
What happens when commercial and procurement leaders from many of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects get together in a room and are challenged to think differently about the critical role of the market in project success?
Thought-provoking discussion, sharing of knowledge, insights and creating new connections. That’s what we discovered when we hosted our first ever market-engagement roundtable on 12th November, welcoming industry leaders from some of the UK’s most impactful major public sector bodies, infrastructure operators and critical services providers to discuss the changing landscape of procurement. Those joining the discussion included Anglian Water, Cabinet Office, CECA, Connected Places Catapult, Defence Nuclear Organisation, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Department for Education, Gatwick Airport, HS2, National Audit Office, Network Rail, New Hospital Programme (NHS England), Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority, Southern Water and Thames Water.
John Mead, G&T partner, introduced the session and set the scene in reference to his recent article – If you build it, they will come… but only if the supply chain is willing! – speaking on the importance of early market engagement in relation to the Procurement Act.
We heard from Emma Whigham – markets and supply chain director for the New Hospital Programme (NHP) – about the knowledge gained from the market and how it has influenced project delivery. We also heard from Mohit Farmah – head of procurement and supply chain at Thames Water – about maximising value in a multi-dimensional stakeholder landscape. Additionally, Alasdair Reisner – chief executive at the Civil Engineering Contractors Association – shared his thoughts on the role of the client in successful market engagement.
G&T partner Vanessa Bold chaired several insightful discussions exploring the following key questions in light of the new Procurement Act, which introduced new guidance regarding the conduct of preliminary market engagement:
- How can infrastructure projects push the boundaries between market research and early market engagement to influence successful project outcomes?
- What is the role of the informed client in driving engagement that stimulates and supports collaboration, innovation, productivity and creativity? What do we need to do differently?
- What lessons can we learn as an industry to maximise value outcomes for clients and stakeholders?
The event sent the clear message that cross-client collaboration is truly powerful and enables clients to build relationships and achieve better integration across programmes to deliver value.
Out next quarterly cross-client roundtable will take place in the new year. If you are interested in finding out more or you’d like to join our quarterly cross-client roundtables in the future, please contact us at infrastructure@gardiner.com.
Images courtesy of ©Tom Campbell
