Turner wins commission for work on Free Schools

Leeds-based Turner & Townsend is heading a design team which also includes Bond Bryan and NPS. The contract covers a wide remit, including the conversion of buildings and numerous technical services.

Free Schools are all-ability state-funded schools set up by the new Government in response to parental demand.

Turner & Townsend said it will provide a flexible approach to a diverse set of stakeholders, which include Free School Proposers, Local Authorities, the Department for Education, Partnerships for Schools and Sponsors.

It added that its team brings together a wide range of skills, services, and geographical locations. The commission includes an option to add additional Free Schools which may require support in the future.

Dominic Honey, schools sector leader at Turner & Townsend, said: "This important, high profile work covers a wide remit, including liaison with a large variety of stakeholders, conversion of existing buildings and numerous technical services."

He added that these are all areas that the group has a proven track record in.

"Our national network of offices will allow us to deliver flexible and responsive local solutions."

He said there is no obligation for the 12 free schools to use the team led by Turner & Townsend. Some schools have strong links with other partners and, as long as the contract is properly procured, they can employ who they want.

Over the past year Turner & Townsend's strong international expansion has buffered it against tough conditions in the UK.

The group, which works on projects ranging from skyscrapers to new schools, said its international business grew to 42 per cent of revenue in the year to the end of April, from 40 per cent a year earlier.

The group's pre-tax profits rose 16 per cent to 18m, but revenues dipped about nine per cent to 192m.

That was T&T's first fall in revenues in 10 years as project delays and cancellations in the UK, Europe and the Middle East took their toll. However, Australia, the Americas, Africa and Asia all saw sales growth, and T&T plans to accelerate its growth globally over the next year.

"We have set out our global footprint over several years in the form of investments in new regions," said executive chairman Tim Wray, who is moving to the role of non-executive chairman next year after spending 40 years with the business.

"The international part of our business is growing at a faster rate than the UK. It is going to be something towards 60 per cent of our total revenues within the next five years."