The Guild Living Alliance Framework will initially deliver four developments in Bath, Epsom, Uxbridge and Walton-on-Thames
The deal is designed to “deliver schemes of a higher quality while minimising delays, and ensure work is fair, transparent and dispute free.”
Architectural practice Marchese Partners has also signed-up through a process facilitated by specialist construction consultancy Cast and supported by law practice Eversheds Sutherland.
Contractors will be consulted at an early stage of the design process, before architects have produced detailed drawings.
Under the framework, risks that can occur during the development process are assessed and allocated to the party who is best placed to manage them.
Where no party is best placed to manage the risk, for example, in the event of a pandemic like Covid-19, the risk is shared.
The framework also sets “fixed and appropriate” profit margins from the outset, alongside a commitment to produce best value and a consistent pipeline of work for all framework partners.
Guild Living offers a new model of housing for those in later life, focused on delivering safe and secure retirement communities in urban centres that offer a flexible provision of care to meet individual needs.
Phil Bayliss, CEO of later living at Legal & General and chairman of Guild Living, said:“It’s time to change the way we contract to build. This is about creating the right behaviours, investing in the future, and seeking out efficiencies in the way we build and manage a major project.
“As long-term investors it is vital that we’re able to embed principles in the way we work with our supply chain partners that help us to achieve the highest standards of delivery.
“This agreement aligns the interests of our partners in a fair and transparent way and puts in place an exceptional team to deliver our first four Guild Living schemes.”
Mike Maxwell, Director of Construction at Guild Living, added: “Just as Guild Living is pioneering a new way for people to live in later life, we also want to ensure that the way we work with our supply chain breaks new ground.
“This is a true partnership that’s based on fairness, open communication and the shared goal of creating fantastic communities that can support the health and happiness of our older generation.”
View from the contractors:
Paul Chandler, executive managing director of Wates Construction Group, said: “We champion early engagement on every project we deliver, and alliances like this help make sure all stakeholders consider it not just best practice, but essential. We look forward to working with Guild Living, aligning ourselves with other supply chain partners to deliver the best developments possible and help foster a culture of collaboration and transparency between all.”
Sean Bradley, managing director of Morgan Sindall Construction’s London and Home Counties business, said: “This is an exciting and innovative partnership model, which makes the most of the insight and experience each contractor can bring to all stages of the development lifecycle from design to delivery. We are huge advocates of working collaboratively and engaging early to drive innovation, reduce risk, and create developments which enrich our communities. We look forward to working closely with our Guild Living Alliance partners to advance this aim as we deliver an outstanding new residential model for later life.”
Grant Findlay, director of business development and work winning at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We applaud Legal & General and Guild Living taking a leadership role in the development of a new approach to project delivery in the commercial sector. We are delighted to be in partnership with them and fellow contractors in this ground-breaking alliance. Having seen the benefits it creates, we are advocates of collaborative working early in the development process.”
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