Montagu Evans wins Defence Infrastructure Organisation contract

Montagu Evans has won a contract to provide estate management services for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. The firm will support the DIO, part of the Ministry of Defence, to an annual portfolio requirement of up to 309 acres per year, handle all leases and release surplus land and assets for development. Adrian Owen, partner at Montagu Evans and lead for the appointment, said: “These are major real estate programmes and a significant appointment that will create value for the public estate and new opportunities for housing and other drivers of long-term economic and community benefit.” This will also include land and buildings used by reservists and cadets, with a focus on selling surplus buildings and land for reinvestment back into the estate. Montagu Evans will lead as the sole contractor with a wider professional sub-team including SWECO, Gleeds, Cascade, HLM Architects, Allsop and Fisher German. It will undertake professional advisory work across the UK, including town planning advice, valuation and masterplanning, as well as technical advisory support for the disposal of surplus sites and wider estate and property management. The appointment follows Montagu Evans becoming the DIO’s strategic property adviser in 2019, which will continue alongside the new appointment. Jenny Rydon, head of ME’s strategic advisory team, said: “The DIO is critical to ensuring our defence is operated from a quality, fit-for-purpose estate. This additional appointment solidifies our commitment to supporting the DIO to maximise public sector assets in a timely way while considering the full impact and opportunity that can be brought forward. “Given the complexity involved and sensitivity needed, our planning and development strengths are an important factor, and we are bringing together a wide range of specialists in our multidisciplinary team, with strong programme management, governance and a commitment to best value underpinning our entire approach.” Catherine Davies, head of estates for the DIO, said: “We are pleased to be working with Montagu Evans to support our ongoing proactive management of the UK defence estate. Through the combined expertise of Montagu Evans and the DIO’s estate team, we will be able to take decisions about the future of MoD land more quickly and effectively, ensuring our estate is optimised to best meet the future needs of the Armed Forces.” To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews