Trowers & Hamlins were delighted to host the launch of the Innovation Chain North West (ICNW) frameworks last week.  Great Places Housing Group on behalf of the members of ICNW who include Great Places Housing Group, Wulvern Housing Limited, Your Housing Group, Adactus Housing Group, Equity Housing Group, Calico Homes Limited, Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust, Bolton at Home, One Manchester and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, have procured multidisciplinary frameworks for contractors and consultants across the North West for the development of new build housing.  This is a direct response to the Government's target to deliver one million new homes by 2020.

Katie Saunders, Partner, and Andy Waite, Associate, advised the Great Places procurement team on the procurement process and drafted the framework agreement and call off contract.  The process was streamlined to reduce the time and costs normally involved in a large scale procurement process.  The frameworks are expected to deliver £500 million of works and services throughout their duration.
Pete Bojar, Director of Development, said "The framework has been designed to maximise value for money, efficiency and quality as well as to provide crucial social value initiatives, including apprenticeships and employment opportunities.  Over the next four years the new properties we build via the ICNW framework will ensure we continue to make a much needed contribution to housing growth and provide new developments for aspiring homeowners and families".

Rebecca Wann, Head of Procurement, said "A lot of hard work has gone into putting together a high quality framework which specifically represents the needs of Registered Providers.  It offers a great opportunity for members to efficiently procure and gain all the benefits that come with being part of a broader membership with a strong reputation".

Katie Saunders, Partner at Trowers & Hamlins, said "The need for compliant and cost efficient frameworks is all the more necessary following the EU referendum decision, in order to create a stable process in the midst of supplier uncertainty for ICNW members to select consultants and contractors to deliver their housing targets".