Buro Happold worked for Southampton City Council to develop a strategy to find a private sector partner to deliver improved performance and innovation within the councils highways function as a response to the challenges of growing traffic congestion, a deteriorating highway network condition and a decreasing highways budget. The project made use the EU Competitive Dialogue procurement procedures and a New Engineering Contract (NEC3) format to select an appropriate service delivery partner to perform highway design, construction and maintenance for the entire Southampton City region.

As Technical Manager John supported construction and co-ordination of the Partnerships contractual documents and procurement activities. His main duties included general technical advice, preparation of both the contract and associated works information and creating an asset management strategy to fit an emerging policy change. Over the seven-month period leading to contract award he supported the effective day-to-day management of the project by joining the client’s office 2-3 days per week on secondment and contributed directly to the construction and evaluation of tender questions and implemenation of facilitation workshops with key stakeholders.