An open forum, featuring leading keynote speakers, has been held by empa – the East Midlands Property Alliance – for public sector representatives and delegates from the construction industry.
The event was held to highlight the renewed suite of services provided by empa and to celebrate its achievements over the last four years. Clients using empa have gained expertise in delivering their projects to time and on budget, in a safety conscious way and providing improved opportunities for training and working with local communities.
The forum, held at Loughborough University, featured keynote speakers such as Constructing Excellence in the East Midlands and Government chief construction adviser, Peter Hansford, George Cowcher, chief executive at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, Frank Jordan Strategic Director, City Development & Neighbourhoods, Leicester City and Roy Casey from Built Environment Hub.
The aim of empa, which was formed by local authorities in the East Midlands and is managed by Scape, is to improve the procurement and delivery of construction projects and property maintenance for public sector bodies saving time and money for them and in turn for council taxpayers.
Head of empa Alan Coole said the event was a tremendous success and showcased the strengths of empa in the East Midlands in bringing clients together to gain knowledge and drive change within their own organisations.
He said: “More than 800 projects have now been delivered through empa. Already in 2014, we have concluded the successful re-procurement of empa framework contracts which ensure services for the public sector are delivered quickly, to a high standard and provide value for money.
“At the forum, we heard about empa in action and its successes and exciting plans for re-generation and re-investment in the region.
“The event included workshops, the opportunity for networking, and was held in the spirit of partnership working as delegates came together to share experience, expertise and good practice to ensure the very best construction services are provided for the public sector in the East Midlands.
“The ethos of empa is one of collaboration, open processes and delivering certainty and savings to the public sector. This has seen empa go from strength to strength with more than 80 members in the region.”
Work by empa covers all types of public sector buildings, including schools, colleges, universities, housing, NHS, care homes, leisure facilities, libraries and more.
The empa Forum event was held on Friday, 28 February.
