We have been awarded a three-year framework contract to deliver a range of commercial property services to Northumbrian Water’s (NWL) urban and rural estate across the north east of England.

Full commercial property service

The contract, which was awarded in two lots, followed the submission of a successful bid spanning a number of months. 

Led by Mark Sayers and Marion Murphy in LSH’s Corporate Advisory Services team, it will encompass a range of commercial property services, including estate management; strategic property advice; property management; disposals and acquisitions; landlord and tenant; development and valuations.

The second lot comprises advice and support for NWL’s capital expenditure and operational works programme including pipelines; compulsory purchase orders and acquisitions; compensation negotiations and the issuing of Section 189 and 159 notices.

National utility sector capability

LSH currently provides property services to 12 water companies up and down the country and this new contract allows the firm to strengthen its utility sector capability.

It was such experience that enabled LSH to tailor a bid that met NWL’s requirements, according to Darron Barker, head of Newcastle office, who will manage the contract locally.  He commented:

“This win will provide us with the opportunity to build a sustainable property services partnership with Northumbrian Water and support the organisation in achieving its vision of becoming the national leader in the provision of sustainable water and waste water services.
“Our detailed knowledge and in-depth experience of the utilities sector including the regulatory compliance issues of such operationally unique portfolios placed us in a strong position to win this work.”

Collaborative approach

Barker will be working closely with the LSH planning and development team led by James Ogburn out of the Manchester office, with strategic advice supplied by LSH’s Corporate Advisory Services team in London.

LSH teamed up with the specialist rural agents, Smiths Gore, to bid for the framework contract which is for an initial term of three years with the option to extend a further two years.

James Boulton, Partner responsible for the delivery of the contract in Smiths Gore, commented: “This is an exciting win for Smiths Gore owing to the variety and scope of work that will be involved across NWL’s urban and rural estates. We are looking forward to working closely with LSH to pursue the opportunities and challenges that will present themselves as we support NWL’s strategic vision.  This contract will enable us to demonstrate the skills and services that we have been deploying on landed estates and on behalf of rural based clients for many years.”
 
LSH currently provides property services to Severn Trent Water, Scottish Water, Southern Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water amongst others.