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BUILDING DESIGN &
CONSTRUCTION THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AUGUST 2013 AUGUST 2013 ISSUE 188
BUILDING ON YOUR DESIGN THE INTERIORS GROUP
BUSY BEES GROUP
TOTALLY DEDICATED TO
BUILDING DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
CHILDCARE
ALSO INSIDE: SCOTTISH CANALS ENGLISH HERITAGE FLI STRUCTURES CONSTRUCTING EQUALITY
FCO SERVICES A MAJOR CHANGE
WORKING TO A CLEAR PLAN
LAND SECURITIES
ST HELENS COUNCIL KEEPING IT SIMPLE
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A MAJOR
CHANGE SINCE BECOMING A TRADING FUND OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FOUR YEARS AGO FCO SERVICES HAS HAD TO ADAPT TO OPERATING IN A COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT
t has been an “interesting and exciting” period for FCO Services, says Director of Major Projects and Client Delivery Danny Payne. Since becoming a Trading Fund of the British government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) five years ago, the organisation has had to adapt to operating in a commercial environment. “It was a major change for us,” explains Danny, “because it meant we had to learn how to develop and grow our client base just like any other commercial organisation. The result of which has seen our client portfolio strengthen and our order book filled both here in the UK and overseas.” Across four main divisions – Secure ICT, Secure Estates and Construction, Protective Security, and Secure logistics – support is provided for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s endeavours worldwide. Currently operating in 260 cities to meet the exacting needs of British and friendly foreign governments, FCO Services delivers integral support to the provision of a safe, secure global diplomatic environment.
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Part of the work FCO Services carries out is secure construction of embassies, residences and associated buildings on the government’s overseas estate. Over the last five years, around 2,500 projects have been undertaken. These range from relatively small commissions such as seismology assessments to grander schemes like enhancing a building’s security defences. Larger schemes involve complete refurbishment or renovation as well as brand new developments, and this can include multiple buildings or a complete compound. The biggest contracts will see the construction of offices, residences, staff accommodation and recreational facilities. Previous work on such estates has involved FCO Services overseeing project management, design and installation, with one such project being valued at approximately $75m. A crucial element of the organisation’s success as a commercial entity has come from its reputation, balancing professional personnel with the demands of working in international, sometimes hostile, environments. Nigel Carter, Programme Director or Wider Markets Estates and Security, believes FCO Services, in the scope and standard of its work, is one of a kind. “The service we provide has reputation and experience on its side and its capacity to carry out a number of key tasks is
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something international governments and organisations realise they cannot get elsewhere. We have a unique selling point that not only includes our expertise but significantly our global reach,” he says. Danny agrees, highlighting the availability of expertise across a number of disciplines such as architects, engineers, surveyors, project managers, interior designers, and site supervisors who all have the required level of clearance to work on security sensitive sites. FCO Services staff are all security cleared, with many of them cleared to a high level in keeping with the nature of the work – this gives current and potential clients peace of mind. Security protocol also extends to personnel safety, an absolute necessity within FCO Services’ successful operation. “We have to set up the necessary infrastructure for two governments to speak to one
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another. Sometimes these locations can be in volatile regions such as those having recently suffered military conflict. As such, these locations are inherently dangerous,” says Danny. “So we ensure the best possible practices are in place to protect our teams. To do this we hire close protection professionals for both on site protection and training so that staff are not only as secure as possible, they have the knowledge in order to protect themselves as well as the right psychological profile to work in these environments.” Certainly, FCO Services distinguishes itself by marrying high-level security clearance with the expertise to deliver its solutions. This poses a greater challenge when you are faced with working in a foreign environment, something Danny says forms the basis of the organisation’s reputation.
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“Engineering overseas is a skill we are proud of,” he enthuses. “A typical British engineer is taught the various disciplines, from structural requirements to electrical and mechanical systems, based on British principles, designs and logistics. Imagine then that the individual is sent to convert an old villa into an embassy in a country he has never visited before. We have taught our engineers how to interpret and handle foreign technologies, how to work with local contractors, and how to adapt British professional principles to the location. That means our standards never drop. Whether we are in the UK or abroad, we take our expertise and adapt it to the environment in which we are working.” This is even more important given the emphasis on sustainability. Worldwide clients are increasingly aware of their carbon footprint. Through engineering efficiency measures in the design and operation of buildings, FCO Services ensures developments
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meet environmental legislation and work in the most cost effective way. Its experience in applying these standards in foreign locations is crucial to winning clients. Thus, FCO Services can adapt efficiency measures to varying regulations across the world, installing optimised building management systems tailored to individual circumstance. In its own “green” agenda, FCO Services has significantly improved its carbon footprint. For example, modernising its processes through the incorporation of programme management has brought with it a number of advantages, not least in environmental efficiency and cost reduction. Elsewhere, secure video conferencing and cloud computing has reduced flying hours and travelling between offices while increasing productivity. Overseas, its environmental management services and practical technical support have helped embassies make use of low carbon and renewable
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GOVERNMENT SECTOR: FCO SERVICES technologies, with schemes including energy control systems, remote monitoring and passive energy reduction systems such as insulation, helping clients reduce their carbon footprint. FCO Services quickly recognised that operating more efficiently was crucial in the commercial market. However, to gain new clients it knew it couldn’t stand still and rely on past success. “We have improved and modernised our technologies over the last four years so that we are fundamentally competitive,” remarks Danny. “We’ve also moved into extensive programme management, so rather than running lots of projects on a smaller scale, we’ve actually taught our clients, and taught ourselves, to have extensive worldwide programmes. This has significantly improved overall performance.” Recent projects include the restoration of the British ambassador’s residence in Moscow. The work previously required the building, located opposite the Kremlin, to be converted from a British embassy into a residential space. A particular strength of FCO Services’ refurbishment and renovation work is its ability to maintain the historical aesthetic of a building while implementing modern services and up to date security measures. “We have vast experience of dealing with both modern and historical buildings,” explains Nigel. “We have a specialist interior design team who can expertly match existing features to new updates, while we also introduce modern mechanical and electrical services into existing buildings so that they are both fit for purpose and operate as any modern, new build property would do.” Despite global economic uncertainty, FCO Services has prospered as a commercial organisation. Its world-renowned reputation has aided its growth over the last five years, but it has refused to
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stand motionless, instead it has consistently enhanced the service it provides in order to appeal to a wider clientele. “The last few years has certainly been exciting as well as rewarding,” remarks Danny. “The next twelve months promises to be even more interesting as our order book is full and we continue to extend our relations with foreign countries. This also brings opportunities for the supply chain back home in the UK and therefore very much supports the prosperity agenda of the British government.” www.fcoservices.gov.uk Tel: 01908 515789
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