Take to the Tyne

While Newcastle and the Northeast may lack some of the high-profile projects enjoyed by cities such as London and Liverpool, there certainly is substantial PFI activity in the region. One of the largest and most exciting developments to be seen in Newcastle is a £300m PFI project which will completely transform healthcare services. The scheme involves moving all acute hospital services from the Newcastle General Hospital site to the state-of-the-art Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Freeman Hospital. The Royal Victoria Infirmary will benefit from a 60,000m2 specialist children’s wing and the Freeman Hospital will get a new 20,000m2 cancer and kidney centre. An eight-year construction programme forms part of the overall contract for 38 years.

The old Scottish and Newcastle brewery in Newcastle is at the initial stages of a conversion to a mixed-use commercial development. The surrounding region is also benefiting from projects such as the Sunderland Arc, the Newburn riverside developments and other PFI schemes.

PMs with about five to 10 years’ experience are particularly sought after

Overall, this activity has ensured that there is a steady flow of employment opportunities in the area, primarily project management roles. Project managers with around five to 10 years’ experience are particularly sought after to act as client-facing support and offer an on-site presence. A background in education, healthcare and regeneration PFI projects is also highly desired by employers.

For example, we have recently filled a position for a project manager, which required commercial building and project management experience with both private and public sector clients. The chosen candidate, previously a QS, was found quickly and possessed over five years’ professional quantity surveying experience, plus an extensive background in regeneration and property renewal schemes. They received a salary of £39,500 and a comprehensive benefits package including car, pension, healthcare and flexitime.

For the majority of QS roles, salaries are competitive nationally

Prosperity within the industry, particularly for project managers, looks set to continue due to the steady level of activity. Project managers at the most senior level are currently being paid marginally less than the national average, but given both their scarcity and importance, it is likely that these salaries will either increase across the board or that we will start to see more extreme high offers. For the majority of QS roles, salaries are competitive on a national level, although they remain considerably lower than Central London and the Southern Home Counties.

For further information contact David Hutton, senior manager of Hays Property & Surveying, on 0191 222 0044 or visit www.hays.com/property