Fewer contractors and financial viability at the heart of NH approach

IDF Framework to rewrite the copybook with fewer contractors and reduced risk at the heart of its planning.

An approach taken from other sectors is something National Highways are considering for its new £30BN contracts.

Speaking exclusively to Construction News, Malcolm Dare, Executive Director of Commercial and Procurement for National Highways explained through the Get it Right Initiative - is something with the client will increasingly adopt going forward.

With the Regional Delivery Programmes due to expire in 2024, just ahead of RIS 3, and an increased pressure to justify public spend on infrastructure programmes National Highways, perhaps more than ever need to ensure value for money for the tax payer.

Speaking to Construction News Mr Dare explained the approach, he said,

"The bottom line is that we have to get better at delivering on time and on budget, and IDF is just the next evolution to drive that ... performance."

"With some suppliers I am (already) seeing some clear improvements coming through ... but everyone, including us, can make significant improvements."

Mr Dare went on to draw on experience from previous roles saying that in industries he has previously worked such as aviation there was a much leaner supply chain with fewer suppliers who won more work based on higher performance, he added

"My personal view is that ... we should have fewer suppliers on IDF than RDP, and we will select based on capability and proven performance."