Turner & Townsend has been appointed as Lead Commercial Partner on Northumbrian Water’s Strategic Commercial Framework, as the water company looks to reshape its approach to investment in the network.

The business will provide commercial and project management services, as well as strategic commercial advice and support. The framework will run for four years, with the possibility of a four-year extension to 2031.

The framework is designed to improve infrastructure management in support of Northumbrian Water’s objectives to deliver value for its customers while managing the challenges faced by climate change and the need to protect the environment. Working together with wider technical partners, Turner & Townsend will help implement capital delivery processes and supply chain strategies to improve the commercial performance of Northumbrian’s programmes. They will also help deliver greater value through taking a whole life approach to planning asset investment enabling smarter spending and risk-based planning through a total expenditure (TOTEX) model.

An important focus for the new framework will be to identify alternative investment choices as part of this TOTEX approach, including allowing for the introduction of low-carbon and nature-based solutions in areas such as water and wastewater treatment.

David Whysall, UK Infrastructure Managing Director, commented:

“The water industry in the UK is responding to new pressures, from changing rainfall patterns and new demands on the network to responding to strengthened environmental protections. These are seismic challenges, requiring a rethink in how the sector approaches investment and ultimately manages its assets. This strategic appointment offers us the platform to drive this change through a long-term and collaborative approach – transforming performance on affordability, customer experience and the reduction of carbon emissions.

“Having worked with Northumbrian Water for twelve years, we are delighted to be able to further build on our special relationship. We will continue to invest in the local community creating the opportunity for home grown talent, whilst drawing in our global programme management learning for the benefit of Northumbrian and its stakeholders as the sector prepares for AMP8.”