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Expert views

A range of views highlighting issues that are affecting businesses today and the strategies we believe will be most successful in combating them.


Delivering the plan for 20% less - a yearly pulse check

Delivering the plan for 20% less - a yearly pulse check

When the AMP5 regulatory framework was introduced the common consensus was that water organisations and service providers would be facing the most defining period since privatisation.

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Unlock Financial Capacity through a Strategic Approach to Insurance

Unlock Financial Capacity through a Strategic Approach to Insurance

Through effective and strategic management of risk and insurance, affordable housing providers have a relatively quick way of unlocking capacity to support new housing supply or simply create further operational efficiency.

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The impact of the draft determinations: meeting the performance challenge

The impact of the draft determinations: meeting the performance challenge

The impact of the draft determinations: meeting the performance challenge

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Keeping rail efficiency on the right track

Keeping rail efficiency on the right track

The ongoing challenge is to deliver more for less and maximise value-for-money from tightened public funding, whilst placing increased importance on the delivery and operation of a safe, efficient and effective rail programme.

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Global research shows BRICS still considered an investment risk for transport infrastructure

Global research shows BRICS still considered an investment risk for transport infrastructure

Our Investment in Transport Infrastructure study underlines that ambition alone will not be enough if emerging nations are to deliver the purpose-built transport infrastructure that they need to support their continued economic growth.

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Creating financial capacity through ground rent management

Creating financial capacity through ground rent management

With the housing market not even close to full recovery and the ongoing affordability issues for people accessing good quality housing and support; the business of providing and managing affordable housing remains tough.

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Rail Reform:

Rail Reform: 'More Efficient' should not be Confused with 'Cheaper'

The central challenge will be to deliver more for less. We need to find a way to improve the quality of service offered without compromising the delivery and operation of a safe, efficient and effective rail programme.

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Drive 10-25% efficiency gains from operational expenditure programmes

Drive 10-25% efficiency gains from operational expenditure programmes

Railway companies have to demonstrate that they are on track to achieve cost savings and efficiency targets. However, current trends show that this has resulted in virtually a blind assault on cost base by simply cutting operational expenditure.

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Robust business cases accelerate investment programmes and maximise strategic outcomes

Robust business cases accelerate investment programmes and maximise strategic outcomes

Rail projects are being and will continue to be delayed due to the inability to develop robust business cases that provide a realistic assessment of the full scale and scope of benefits, opportunities and risks.

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Understanding the estate and effective programme management will maximise the impact of new capital

Understanding the estate and effective programme management will maximise the impact of new capital

Michael Gove announced new capital arrangements including the anticipated return of a ‘PFI’ model and recognition of the urgent need for extra funding for new school places. But what does this mean for schools and local authorities?

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Driving efficiency from the operation phase of the oil and gas asset lifecycle

Driving efficiency from the operation phase of the oil and gas asset lifecycle

The return on investment delivered by a project depends on the minimisation of CAPEX and the cost of operation of the asset. Efficiencies can be identified and achieved through the application of the right processes during the CAPEX and OPEX phases.

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Local Authorities faced with shrinking window of opportunity for property savings

Local Authorities faced with shrinking window of opportunity for property savings

Are councils going far enough in challenging some of the emotive aspects of their cost base? In light of opposition to the Health Bill, the window for being able to push through hard and unpopular cuts even at the local level is in danger of closing.

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The space race

The space race

In the client conversations we are having, the common challenge is how to get more of the right opportunities in at the front end, and how to progress them quickly through to scheme approval and delivery.

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Valuing Development Sites

Valuing Development Sites

The governments policy to have all new homes ‘zero carbon’ by 2016 has been well publicised. With the introduction of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the route map to achieve this within the residential market has been sketched out.

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How to manage the true costs of sustainability and realise its value

How to manage the true costs of sustainability and realise its value

The requirement for sustainability in built assets will increase in the next two years. The key issues will be successfully managing the requirements during asset creation, how to realise value of a green asset and what to do with existing stock.

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The New World Order for Affordable Housing Delivery

The New World Order for Affordable Housing Delivery

“Registered Providers are in a ‘new world’ - those still perplexed by some of the less expected outcomes of the Affordable Homes Programme allocations should have considered just how ‘new’ the world is…"

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Corporate Real Estate: Increasing Productivity

Corporate Real Estate: Increasing Productivity

Organisations are constantly striving for greater corporate productivity especially in times of wider economic downturn when they need to reduce their team sizes, increase their profits (or mitigate losses) and lower their costs.

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Improve energy efficiency - improve learning outcomes

Improve energy efficiency - improve learning outcomes

The dip in energy prices caused by the recession gave some temporary relief to the rapid increase in the utility costs but organisations should prepare for cost increases over the next 3 years as demand for energy starts to increase in India and China.

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Knitting organisations together through Corporate Real Estate

Knitting organisations together through Corporate Real Estate

Property has become a source of competitive advantage and organisations are beginning to see their property as a key element of how they integrate business across a global platform.

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Early consideration needed to effectively achieve BREEAM ratings

Early consideration needed to effectively achieve BREEAM ratings

Increasingly, developers are recognising the benefits of securing a good BREEAM rating. To achieve this, a clear strategy must be conceived and implemented in the early stages of a project to ensure the whole process is aligned with BREEAM criteria.

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Retirement Village Development

Retirement Village Development

There are no quick wins in the development of Continuous Care Retirement Communities or ‘retirement villages’. Developers need to be aware of all the challenges they face to enter this sector.

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Better Contracting

Better Contracting

Organisations across the public sector have to deal with drastically reduced financial resources to commit to capital and revenue expenditure.

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Improve learning outcomes

Improve learning outcomes

The dip in energy prices caused by the recession gave some relief to the increase in utility costs. However, with demand for energy starting to increase again in India and China, organisations should prepare for steep increases over the next 3 years.

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Better Learning Outcomes

Better Learning Outcomes

Recent events including the unprecedented social unrest in some MENA countries this year, continue to have profound implications for ruling governments in meeting the growing expectations of their populations.

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Developing World Class Hospitals

Developing World Class Hospitals

It is difficult to know the number of major hospitals around the world. North America houses close to 9,000. China has more than 20,000. There are many thousands in Asia, Europe and over 500 in the GCC.

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To outsource or not?

To outsource or not?

Across the country local authorities are implementing cost reduction plans in response to the austerity measures set out by Government.

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Airport Resilience

Airport Resilience

In the middle of all of this uncertainty, the customer is often stuck in a terminal waiting for updates from either the airline or the operator, all receiving mixed messages depending on who they speak to inside or outside the airport.

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Carbon Reduction Commitment

Carbon Reduction Commitment

The Spending Review brought a change to the operation of the Carbon Reduction Commitment. Designed as an incentive to cut carbon emissions, it has now become a 'stealth tax' which will result in organisations paying 8% of their energy costs to Government.

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Development Opportunity from the Health and Social Care Bill

Development Opportunity from the Health and Social Care Bill

‘The Health and Social Care Bill signals change ahead around the potential dissolution of Primary Care Trusts. The Government is encouraging them to more effectively use assets as the opportunity for the affordable housing sector could be significant.’

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Integrity of Floating Production operations in the Oil and Gas Sector

Integrity of Floating Production operations in the Oil and Gas Sector

Oil and gas companies are under scrutiny to ensure the safe operation of their offshore production assets. While focus may be on drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, this issue affects all offshore assets and it’s an area where there is no room for error.

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Lesson from the Budget - Healthcare in Hong Kong

Lesson from the Budget - Healthcare in Hong Kong

During his recent annual Budget address, Financial Secretary John Tsang provided indications of the importance the government places on providing high quality healthcare services to the population of Hong Kong.

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Distressed Spanish Portfolios

Distressed Spanish Portfolios

Many new and exciting investment opportunities are now appearing in Spain and many investors are returning to find good assets at attractive prices for investment.

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Commercial Mortgage Backed Security

Commercial Mortgage Backed Security

As many distressed assets are due to hit the European market over the next few years, the Borrower needs to look to ways of dealing with the complex issues of repaying, refinancing or defaulting.

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Healthcare Asia - Learning Lessons from Global PPP Programmes

Healthcare Asia - Learning Lessons from Global PPP Programmes

Healthcare in Asia, Global Insight and Local Knowledge. will be the key to helping Asian Healthcare providers improved healthcare infrastructure.

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China Healthcare

China Healthcare

Despite increased spending levels over the past six years, access to quality clinical services are far from what the population expects or needs.

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Managing Risk

Managing Risk

At a time when contractors are becoming increasingly reticent about assuming an overly high level of risk, work needs to be done if the region is establish Western Australia as a key provider of the world’s future energy mix.

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Funding fit for the future - are you ready?

Funding fit for the future - are you ready?

Better operating performance is the key to creating the capacity necessary to secure capital in an increasingly competitive funding environment.

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The Central Government Workplace Revolution

The Central Government Workplace Revolution

The Government Property Unit is predicting that savings of £1 - £1.5 billion can be achieved on property alone through estate rationalisation and making better use of space across Departments.

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Technology solutions improve hotel revenue and value

Technology solutions improve hotel revenue and value

In an increasingly challenging market with hotel owners and operators seeking to protect revenues, technology offers a route to real competitive advantage and brand differentiation.

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Benchmarking costs is key to accelerating improved returns for investors acquiring water companies

Benchmarking costs is key to accelerating improved returns for investors acquiring water companies

Water companies can no longer rely on incremental customer charges to improve returns and value for investors; they are under increasing pressure to drive out inefficiencies and work within reduced capital and operating cost constraints.

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The Cross Roads of Opportunity for CRE professionals - Business Change

The Cross Roads of Opportunity for CRE professionals - Business Change

CRE professionals, not IT or HR, are best placed to offer a business what it needs. Not just for property, but how to drive change and meet the core business needs.

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Better supply chain engagement delivers greater certainty of outcome

Better supply chain engagement delivers greater certainty of outcome

We need to focus our approach on long term solutions considering programmes of works instead of individual projects, focusing on two way relationships with suppliers where innovation and efficiencies are encouraged.

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Defining organisational characteristics and capability helps to build the best delivery partnerships

Defining organisational characteristics and capability helps to build the best delivery partnerships

The challenges facing new build programmes in renewable and nuclear energy over the next decade are immense. Understanding the characteristics of partner organisations and key parts of the supply chain will be vital in achieving positive outcomes.

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Cost and time certainty underpins commercially viable project delivery

Cost and time certainty underpins commercially viable project delivery

Cost overruns for Transport CAPEX schemes have been a constant for over 70 years across Europe with cost overruns of over 30% not uncommon. In these increasingly uncertain times it’s more important than ever to ensure delivery to budget.

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Innovative forms of contract help cost and time certainty

Innovative forms of contract help cost and time certainty

On-shore or off-shore, wind energy projects have a unique set of conditions and challenges that merge into a complex combination of procurement and project management risks.

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Effective health project management enables better service outcomes

Effective health project management enables better service outcomes

Good project management will not necessarily deliver a good project. But the lack of it can pretty much guarantee failure.

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Maximising benefits from maintenance management investment

Maximising benefits from maintenance management investment

Most asset and maintenance management systems deployed in the manufacturing sector are not delivering the desired maintenance improvements.

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BSF as a catalyst for regeneration

BSF as a catalyst for regeneration

Education provision that is at the centre of the community will be the key to its long term success in creating a place where people wish to live, work and learn.

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Increasing speed to market for offshore wind projects

Increasing speed to market for offshore wind projects

The lead time for offshore wind projects to reach completion has averaged 28 months after consent. So far only six round one offshore projects have been completed; many are still under construction and are yet to reach offshore installation.

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The calm before the storm - delivering patient-centric care more efficiently

The calm before the storm - delivering patient-centric care more efficiently

The temperature has dramatically increased in the health sector debate; with initiatives such as GP led clinics and new groupings of GPs, hospital consultants and private equity providers forming new partnerships to compete for work.

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Managed motorways: Achieving demonstrable value for money?

Managed motorways: Achieving demonstrable value for money?

In today’s current environment there is an increasing need for highways engineers to demonstrate value for money and better returns from expenditure. Are we able to meet this challenge?

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The sustainable workplace a strategic business tool and a source of competitive advantage

The sustainable workplace a strategic business tool and a source of competitive advantage

The workplace can be both sustainable and viable, with an integrated strategy delivering far greater Opex and Capex savings than the conventional workplace approach.

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Robust business cases optimise aviation assets and unlock hidden potential

Robust business cases optimise aviation assets and unlock hidden potential

The need to ensure that financial risk is understood, planned and managed is the key to sustainable ownership models and structures, especially in times of economic uncertainty.

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In the race to secure capital funding early preparation and a clear vision are crucial

In the race to secure capital funding early preparation and a clear vision are crucial

As the UK struggles to deal with the extremely high levels of debt incurred in the wake of the financial crisis and the recession, it is inevitable that spending cuts will happen across the public sector.

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International investment in China...key factors to achieving greater returns

International investment in China...key factors to achieving greater returns

Success lies in spending more time with greater depth on the selection and alignment of; the right partner, the right people, and the right product.

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Unlocking regeneration schemes - the single conversation

Unlocking regeneration schemes - the single conversation

Housing can provide the kick start to regeneration, but a transparent financial model and a pragmatic approach is the key to understanding the potential and creating value within development.

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Catalysing regeneration through effective and transparent business case management

Catalysing regeneration through effective and transparent business case management

A significant reduction in residential values, historically high land values and an increasingly heavy burden of planning gain, all conspire to reduce the viability of development schemes.

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A clear vision and engaged supply chain can deliver efficiency savings

A clear vision and engaged supply chain can deliver efficiency savings

The offshore wind industry has a fantastic opportunity to deliver higher margins through cost reductions. However, with the sector in its infancy, it will require a major step in efficiency to gain parity and maximise the opportunity.

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Robust processes during construction projects deliver effective safeguarding

Robust processes during construction projects deliver effective safeguarding

Safeguarding of children and young people is of paramount importance. Policies formed by Head teachers and Governors that fail to ‘adequately’ safeguard can have hard hitting Ofsted and legal implications for schools.

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From compliance to performance in highways maintenance

From compliance to performance in highways maintenance

The tools should already exist for Highways Authorities to drive improvements but are they being used effectively?

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Data Centre Insight: Achieve greater certainty of returns

Data Centre Insight: Achieve greater certainty of returns

Businesses can achieve greater certainty of returns from establishing IT needs, delivering and running the built asset, to disposal of consolidated space which is surplus to strategic requirements.

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100% visibility of actual costs can reduce expenditure programmes by up to 7%

100% visibility of actual costs can reduce expenditure programmes by up to 7%

As the utilities sector drives for true partnership working through open book contracting, it’s much harder to achieve financial certainty, with a lack of cost transparency and waste in major programme delivery.

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The return of council housing - creating communities in the face of recession

The return of council housing - creating communities in the face of recession

The end of ‘right to buy’ allows local authorities the freedom to manage their own housing resources. Innovative ownership, funding and delivery solutions must now be quickly developed if the benefits are to be maximised.

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Effective programme management enables delivery of complex projects

Effective programme management enables delivery of complex projects

Delivery of complex programmes of work in a highly regulated industry is challenging at the best of times, so what part should the Programme Management Office play in delivery?

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Making transport, highways and public realm assets work harder for less

Making transport, highways and public realm assets work harder for less

Difficult choices call for smarter choices. With looming public spending cuts predicted to be 10 - 30% by 2015, this is a time of ‘more for less.

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Simulation modelling improves productivity, efficiency and quality in healthcare

Simulation modelling improves productivity, efficiency and quality in healthcare

As increases in health spending continue to outstrip GDP growth across the developed nations, spiralling public sector debt means that tough choices will be needed over the next few years.

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Total cost of ownership enables positive outcomes for Data Centres

Total cost of ownership enables positive outcomes for Data Centres

It is critical for data centres to fully understand the concepts of cost and price. In simple terms, price is money coming in, cost is money going out, and profit, by definition, is the remainder after subtracting cost from price.

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Reduce the risk and increase the certainty of infrastructure project finance

Reduce the risk and increase the certainty of infrastructure project finance

Project Finance Lenders need to be clearer on the robustness of their contractual and commercial agreements tested against their financial projections and predictability of completion dates.

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Gaining a competitive advantage through speed to market and flexibility

Gaining a competitive advantage through speed to market and flexibility

How many CRE teams really see themselves as giving their organisation flexibility and speed?

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How to secure decent homes funding and leverage its value

How to secure decent homes funding and leverage its value

In the 2010 Spending Review settlement, the Coalition Government made available £2.1 billon to deal with the Decent Homes backlog from 2011-15.

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How transport can create a lasting legacy

How transport can create a lasting legacy

Engineering commercial outcomes will be the key to realising connectivity, socio-economic benefits and demonstrable value but yet as an industry, and prevalent across international boundaries, we still have some way to go.

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Obtaining investment for improved primary care facilities in a reformed NHS

Obtaining investment for improved primary care facilities in a reformed NHS

Any GP practice submitting proposals for new premises will need to ensure it can demonstrate that the costs of the facility represent value for money and that the development will make a clear contribution to delivering sustainable quality improvements.

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Driving efficiencies through all levels of the supply chain

Driving efficiencies through all levels of the supply chain

Every major utility company has over the last ten years carried out some form of supply chain initiative with the goal of harnessing potential savings through better engagement of the supply chain.

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Delivery of the new power generation challenge requires optimum delivery strategies to succeed

Delivery of the new power generation challenge requires optimum delivery strategies to succeed

All major power generation suppliers have started to review their generation portfolio in light of the Large Combustion Plant directive and UK and European targets for low carbon generation.

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Are utilities maximising the potential of their direct labour organisation?

Are utilities maximising the potential of their direct labour organisation?

Under regulatory and shareholder pressure to deliver operational savings, and customer pressure to perform well, utilities have adopted a variety of approaches to increase the use of their direct labour organisations.

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Best in class asset strategy optimises vital utility investment

Best in class asset strategy optimises vital utility investment

Short-term reactive planning is the worst of all worlds. The hot issue of the day is recommended to be addressed now but how many other significant issues remain buried and festering with massive performance risks?

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The future of water utilities

The future of water utilities

The water industry is entering a defining period that has probably not been seen since privatisation. Almost halfway into the first year of AMP5 we are starting to see some significant structural changes in the industry.

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Unlocking the full value of your estate

Unlocking the full value of your estate

In the wake of the government’s efficiency drive, most authorities have reviewed their portfolio to seek efficiencies and identify potential disposal programmes.

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Where has the Market Gone? Finding the Golden Deals

Where has the Market Gone? Finding the Golden Deals

Even the most optimistic of commentators are beginning to wilt under the relentless barrage of ‘gloom and doom’ prevalent in our industry at the moment. The question is, where are the ‘golden deals’?

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Managing rising costs - the power of partnerships

Managing rising costs - the power of partnerships

It is perhaps the recognition that the world has changed fundamentally since the credit crunch that could drive a essential step change to our industry.

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Procurement and contracting strategies to meet clients’ project promises

Procurement and contracting strategies to meet clients’ project promises

Given the volatility of the oil and gas construction market with soaring costs delaying projects or even causing questions around investment viability, there is an ever increasing pressure to achieve cost and time certainty.

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Strategic asset management is now pivotal in delivering industrial profitability and sustainability

Strategic asset management is now pivotal in delivering industrial profitability and sustainability

Strategic asset management involves the management of capital, equipment, people and other resources to minimise risk and to maintain and support all company assets.

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A robust asset strategy optimises investment capacity and improves outcomes for tenants

A robust asset strategy optimises investment capacity and improves outcomes for tenants

These are challenging times for the affordable housing sector. Against a backdrop of the most severe cuts in public expenditure in a generation, a number of major factors are impacting registered providers.

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Greater focus on equipping costs delivers better value

Greater focus on equipping costs delivers better value

There is a huge focus on ‘rationalisation of the Estate’. The agenda of delivering ‘more for less’ and driving performance out of assets tends to rely on reviewing the physical building where services are delivered.

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Bottom line improvement through effective operations performance management

Bottom line improvement through effective operations performance management

Utilities need to focus like never before on measures that rapidly reduce the real cost of their operations.

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Realising strategic goals through effective programme management

Realising strategic goals through effective programme management

All too often power utility companies start their long term investment programmes with the objective to ‘be the best’ - with world class programme management. However, best intentions time and again begin to fail.

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Deliver better health outcomes more efficiently through effective procurement

Deliver better health outcomes more efficiently through effective procurement

Up to 12 per cent of NHS purchasing budgets are wasted on overpaying for items. About £12 billion annually is spent on buying health service equipment. If you talk about 12 per cent of that, it takes us into the low billions.

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The Scottish budget - higher impact through innovation

The Scottish budget - higher impact through innovation

Finance Secretary John Swinney has had to agree some significant concessions with opposition parties, but has proved the sceptics wrong, with his plans being pushed through Holyrood for a fourth consecutive time.

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Operational Efficiency of Airport Assets is the Key to Sustainable Growth in the Current Market Turmoil

Operational Efficiency of Airport Assets is the Key to Sustainable Growth in the Current Market Turmoil

The success and failure of airports is directly linked to the health of the airlines operating from them and the demand for the slots they command.

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A sustainable asset management strategy optimises costs and protects asset value

A sustainable asset management strategy optimises costs and protects asset value

Airport owners and operators need to optimise operational and maintenance costs to combat declining passenger numbers.

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The search for capital - leveraging financial capacity and improving performance

The search for capital - leveraging financial capacity and improving performance

The next five years will see a major change in the affordable housing landscape with all organisations needing to source capital or debt.

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London

London's Prime Residential Market: Gilt Edged Returns or a Minefield for the Unwary?

The cautionary headlines in the UK mainstream residential market are in vast contrast to those related to the continued boom in the London prime market.

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Why optimising non-commercial revenues might mean aviation asset survival

Why optimising non-commercial revenues might mean aviation asset survival

The speed of change and shift in air travel dynamics has outstripped the pace of evolution of airport asset development. As a result airport owners and operators are often not realising the full potential from airport terminals.

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Realising strategic goals through effective programme management

Realising strategic goals through effective programme management

With so many different targets and reports, departments may respond to individual drivers rather than adopt a holistic approach. Real improvement in sustainable operations will only be delivered if it becomes part of overall business planning.

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Financing Expansion and M&A in Data Centres: What are the options?

Financing Expansion and M&A in Data Centres: What are the options?

The data centre industry is one which has enjoyed a phenomenal growth story for many years. However, this investment opportunity has not converted in to an easy sustainable funding model for development.

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Resourcing a new wave of estate transfers?

Resourcing a new wave of estate transfers?

Potential legislation which could require local authorities to co-operate with tenants seeking ownership of their estates, may lead to a new wave of estate stock transfers. Officers should start preparing now for future requests for support in this area.

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Zero carbon definition offers a new practical approach

Zero carbon definition offers a new practical approach

Housing Minister Grant Shapps stated that he would provide a fixed definition of zero carbon homes within weeks of coming into office. Several months later we are still waiting but we can estimate some of the details.

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Asia: Creating a model for the aviation sector

Asia: Creating a model for the aviation sector

As the Asian economy continues to grow, the need to create better transport infrastructure becomes more pressing than ever, particularly in urban centres such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

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Delivering 20% cost savings needs a radical plan – is the Government’s blueprint up to the task?

Delivering 20% cost savings needs a radical plan – is the Government’s blueprint up to the task?

The Government Construction Strategy sets out a radical path to improve the performance of the public sector client and to transform the way in which public sector projects are procured.

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Decommissioning North Sea Assets

Decommissioning North Sea Assets

The North Sea decommissioning industry may be in its infancy but its future potential is evident. According to some analysts there are over 600 offshore platforms in the UK, of which more than half are over 15 years old.

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Local Authority Asset Ownership

Local Authority Asset Ownership

Some councils have responded to the tough 25% budget cuts by reducing headcount, salami slicing departmental service budgets, axing non-essential capital programmes and have even contemplated unpalatable decisions.

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How To Release At Least £183 million From Primary Care Assets Alone

How To Release At Least £183 million From Primary Care Assets Alone

'The Health and Social Care Bill signals significant change ahead. Trusts are already looking to unlock savings and improve service through estate rationalisation, creating a more efficient solution for the local health economy.’

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The value of external data in regulatory price submissions

The value of external data in regulatory price submissions

Overall in the next five-year period the electricity grid will invest about £6 billion with a further £7 billion likely to be spent by the electricity distribution network operators.

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The new framework – how to gain competitive advantage

The new framework – how to gain competitive advantage

The Department of Communities and Local Government and the Homes and Communities Agency have launched the 2011-15 Affordable Homes Programme which sets out the framework for providers to bid for a share of £4.5 billion unallocated remains.

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EC Harris
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