NPS has established another new joint venture company, this time to deliver architectural design services for Leeds City Council – securing 28 jobs.
The company known as NPS Leeds Ltd, has been set up by NPS Group and Leeds City Council.
The new joint venture company will be part–owned by the council and managed by NPS, with the council retaining equal control on all major decisions.
The council’s in-house design team will transfer to the new company today (Feb 1st) in a move that will safeguard 28 ‘at risk’ jobs.
Mike Britch, NPS Group Managing Director, said: “This is another positive development for the NPS Group, particularly in these challenging economic times. We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Leeds City Council and look forward to welcoming our colleagues from the city into the new joint venture company, NPS Leeds Ltd.
“Our joint venture companies in places from Barnsley to Devon are already delivering results and we are confident NPS Leeds will be the latest such initiative to benefit all concerned.”
Cllr Richard Lewis, executive member for city development, said: “In the current unprecedented budget situation we need to look at new ways of delivering services that are cost-efficient, sustainable and deliver high quality standards. We have worked closely with staff and the trade unions to find the best way forward for these important services. We believe that by forming a joint venture with NPS we have found a solution that will offer better value and deliver an improved service for the future. I am delighted that we have also been able to protect 28 jobs in deciding to deliver services in this way”
In recent years, the council’s in-house architectural design services team has become unsustainable and the formation of the joint venture follows a comprehensive review to identify a solution to deliver the service in the light of the council’s budget pressures.
Working in partnership with LCC, NPS will modernise the service and draw upon expertise across the NPS group to deliver major improvements to the service.
The main offices for NPS Leeds Ltd will be at Springwell Road in Leeds City Centre. NPS Leeds will provide a multi-disciplinary design service including architecture, landscape architecture, quantity surveying, building surveying, mechanical and engineering, interior design, quality inspection and other services currently undertaken in-house at Leeds City Council. Services will also be available for external clients.
