The client is a now well-established company in the fire safety industry, focusing on fire door inspection and installation services. The company primarily served the hospitality and healthcare sectors but sought to expand into social housing, where they secured a significant contract.
I was headhunted by a former colleague who had launched his own business in fire safety. He had recently acquired a substantial contract to upgrade fire protection systems, including fire doors and alarms, in 1,300 occupied flats within the social housing sector. Faced with the complexities of this new sector and a tight personal schedule due to an impending marriage and honeymoon, he invited me to join the company as a project manager for this contract.
The primary objectives for this project included:
- Successful upgrade of fire doors, alarms and related services in 1,300 occupied flats.
- Ensuring compliance with safety regulations specific to the social housing sector.
- Building a strong relationship with tenants and stakeholders across numerous towns.
- Maximising project value through effective management and negotiation.
The project spanned approximately 3.5 years and was valued at around £3.2 million. Key processes involved:
- Value Uplift: I successfully negotiated multiple increases in project value, including a notable £400,000 uplift during a single meeting through a minor technical amendment to the specification.
- Sector Understanding: The project deepened the company’s knowledge of the social housing sector, transforming it into the primary focus for future business.
- Team Management: Oversaw a workforce of over 120 operatives, including PAYE employees and agency/subcontracted staff, adapting to frequent changes and challenges in project requirements.
The success of the project can be measured through the following metrics:
- Project Value Increase: Achieved a total uplift of circa £1,000,000 through effective negotiation.
- Tenant Satisfaction: Established a solid rapport with tenants, contributing to positive feedback and reduced complaints.
- Compliance Rate: Maintained a 100% compliance rate with safety regulations throughout the project duration.
The project concluded successfully after 3.5 years, having transformed the client’s business focus towards the social housing sector, resulting in sustained growth and new opportunities.