PFI/Projects

Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is used by central government to procure capital projects, such as the building of a new school, hospital or road. The process whereby the government allocates "PFI Credits" to be used to support private sector funding is strictly controlled, in part to achieve best practice and in part because of the restrictive application of the EU Procurement Rules, which apply to the majority of contracts to be entered into by public authorities.

We focus on projects which are innovative and have a strong property focus. We have worked on a number of pathfinder projects and have developed bespoke models in the student/key worker accommodation and social housing markets. We act for both public sector organisations and private sector clients and consortia, including voluntary and not for profit organisations, who are increasingly being encouraged to support the Government in the provision of public services.

We are heavily involved in the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme and recently advised the Catholic Education Service and the National Society in the review and renegotiation of the standard form Voluntary Aided documents. We are currently advising trustees and school governing bodies on over 9 BSF schemes. We are also looking at the potential for developing this model in the housing sector, building on our experience of residential care PFI schemes and local housing companies.

The sectors where we have most experience are: