DIO welcomes new Strategic Business Partner
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has today welcomed its new Strategic Business Partner, Capita working with URS and PA Consulting, helping it bring private sector expertise to further improve the way the Defence estate and related infrastructure is run.
Headed by a new Chief Executive, Richard McCarthy, the strategic partnership will lead DIO’s new integrated leadership team, comprising a mix of private and public sector managers.
The contract has the potential to deliver substantial savings for the taxpayer, which could reach over £300 million a year during its 10-year life. This will be achieved by unlocking savings in facilities management costs and reducing the footprint of the Defence estate to achieve a more optimal provision and location of facilities. It will help to transform the facilities and services that allow our Armed Forces to live, work, train and deploy on operations.
Defence Minister, Anna Soubry said:
“The Defence Infrastructure Organisation provides vital facilities and assistance to our troops, both here in the UK and on operations across the globe.
“By bringing in a Strategic Business Partner headed up by Capita, we are ensuring that the organisation benefits from additional private sector expertise to enhance the organisations delivery and provide greater value-for-money for the taxpayer.”
Richard McCarthy added:
“Along with my team, I'm genuinely excited to be here and looking forward to working with my new colleagues to improve the way the Defence estate is run for its military customers.
“The needs of the Armed Forces are at the heart of what DIO does. Through this new partnership we aim to enhance the delivery of the services they need to do what the nation asks of them, while also providing value for money for the taxpayer.”
The award of the £400 million contract to Capita followed a rigorous procurement process which demonstrated that DIO would be strengthened and enhanced by working with a SBP.
Richard McCarthy, currently Executive Director at Capita Property & Infrastructure where he heads up the Central Government & Housing Division, brings a wealth of experience in property and infrastructure. A chartered surveyor by profession, prior to joining Capita he was Director General, Neighbourhoods, at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
ENDS
Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Senior Communications Officer 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Twitter: @mod_dio
Read DIO’s blog: https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors
1) The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) plays a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing what the men and women who serve our country need to live, work, train and deploy on operations.
2) DIO is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
3) Our work includes supporting operational units by providing and improving single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, and its heritage is protected, and to achieve its environmental goals.
4) In May 2012 DIO announced that it was looking for a Strategic Business Partner (SBP) to help unlock expertise and skills not currently within the Defence Infrastructure Organisation. Tenders for the contract were received in June 2013 and the contract was awarded in June 2014.
5) DIO continues to be 100 per cent owned by the Defence Secretary and MOD will oversee the activities and performance of the Strategic Business Partner.
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