ODPM picks Homes firms

They will provide a wide range of services under a framework to support registered social landlords who are clubbing together to form consortia with the aim of benefiting from bulk buying.

The two firms were chosen by NCA Housing, the national change agent for social housing capital works, which is encouraging the landlords to streamline their approach to procurement.

NCA Housing is managed by Davis Langdon in association with law firm Trowers and Hamlins on behalf of the ODPM.

NCA Housing chose 13 firms in total to act as accredited consultants for landlords but only EC Harris, Gleeds, Deloitte MCS and Savills were chosen to provide a full range of services under the framework. The services include preparing feasibility studies, developing business processes, advising on the formation of consortia and performance measurement.

There is already a considerable demand for the list of accredited consultants

John Connaughton, partner, Davis Langdon

The nine organisations chosen to provide only certain services were QS and project management experts Dearle & Henderson, Knowles, Mace and Lend Lease Projects, plus smaller housing and procurement experts Amion Consulting, Collective Enterprises, CWC, Dba Management and Value Works.

Davis Langdon was charged in the summer with saving the government £340m on the programme to renew housing stock over three years. Partner at the firm John Connaughton, who is responsible for NCA Housing, said: “There is already a considerable demand for the list of accredited consultants by existing and emerging social housing consortia.”