The facts
Client: American Express
Project construction value: £100m
Services provided: Cost Management, Project
Management
The project
The new European Headquarters
for American Express in Brighton provides 365,000 sqft of Grade A
office building spread over nine floors. The scheme which has a
construction value of £100 million incorporates a basement level
and separate data centre. The project is one of a number of schemes
for which Northcroft has provided cost management services on
behalf of American Express (AMEX).
Collaboration with Design
team
Northcroft’s policy of close
engagement with the design team and use of benchmark data allowed
Northcroft to focus minds on the commercial challenges and help
guide the designers’ towards best value solutions for the
client.
Value Engineering
Northcroft facilitated the design
value engineering reviews to ensure unnecessary expenditure was
removed from the final design requirements prior to engagement with
the main contractors. One of these reviews was concerning the
choice of structure. Various options were reviewed including tube
in tube columns versus standard steel. Various buildability and
benchmarking exercises were undertaken, and reports produced to
make sure that the most appropriate option was designed whilst
providing excellent value for money.
Effective Tender
Process
Northcroft managed an extensive tender
process to select the most appropriate main contractor supply chain
using prequalification and two stage bidding techniques. This
process fully demonstrated and captured the commercial effi
ciencies through the appointment of the main contractor. Procuring
one main contractor to carry out all works from demolition to CATB
enabled effi ciencies by procurement of larger packages and reduced
overheads.
Fully Identifying Client
Requirements
Northcroft developed robust Employer’s
Requirements documentation that protected AMEX, defined all
obligations and ensured that all appropriate construction risks
were transferred through the main contract. The Employer’s
Requirements were developed with the whole the project team to
ensure that risks perceived from all disciplines were captured.
These risks were then either managed in the Employer’s Requirements
or transferred to the main contractor.
Bespoke Client
Reporting
Northcroft developed bespoke financial
reporting to align with American Express financial and accounting
requirements. A detailed and bespoke cost and plan report was built
which provided AMEX with a reporting structure that aligned with
AMEX’s headings and reporting structure. In addition the contract
was split into two contracts with two employers.
Ongoing Risk
Management
Northcroft facilitated the risk
management process which provided a regular forum for risk
mitigation and action planning throughout the design and
construction stages. The risk register was reviewed monthly by the
project team and client, a report was issued monthly with each risk
allocated to a specific manager ensuring any problems identified
were dealt with quickly.
