Mace and SCIC, its French joint venture partner, have won their first project since linking up.
The duo, called SCIC-Mace Joint Venture, has been chosen as preferred PFI bidder for some student accommodation in Sussex.

The £9m project is for the design, construction and operation of 350 units at the University of Brighton's campus in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

The scheme, due to start on site early next year, will be overseen by SCIC associate Eurostudiomes, which oversees about 10,000 student units in continental Europe. The halls of residence are expected to be ready for September 2003.

SCIC-Mace director Roger Greasley said: "Our plan is that this will be the first of many such projects to be awarded to us."

He added that the venture was aiming to win work in other markets, such as projects tendered under the NHS Estate's Procure 21 initiative.

Mace and SCIC joined forces in September.