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Old Laing Sign Deal to Dispose of Integrated Services

21 October 2013 | Updated 01 January 1970
 
Pictured above is a proposed ‘infrastructure project’ – the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Forum

Although not involved in construction per se since 2002, John Laing is one of the UK’s longest established building firms (1848). The company now bills itself as ‘a specialist investor and asset manager of public sector infrastructure assets’. The majority of these assets are built with private funding – managed by John Laing.

John Laing Integrated Services – the FM arm – has been sold to competitor Carillion.

John Laing announced the move as follows: John Laing, the specialist investor in and manager of infrastructure assets, announces the sale of John Laing Integrated Services (JLIS), the Company’s support services and facilities management business, to Carillion plc.  Completion of the sale was unconditional and took place on 18 October 2013.

Meanwhile an extremely short statement came from Carillion: Carillion plc can confirm that it has acquired the shares of John Laing Integrated Services (JLIS) from John Laing plc. The acquisition complements Carillion’s existing support services activities and capabilities.

Earlier this year, John Laing reorganised itself into three core divisions to reflect the changes in its principal target infrastructure markets - Primary Investment, which involves sourcing, bidding for and winning greenfield infrastructure projects; Secondary Investment, involving holding operational infrastructure projects, most of which are originated by the Primary Investment business; and Asset Management services to both the Group’s Primary and Secondary investment portfolios.

Adrian Ewer, Chief Executive of John Laing, said: “JLIS has made significant progress over the last few years but it no longer fits within our core strategy. We are confident that under its new ownership, the business will see future growth within the public sector and benefit from being a part of an integrated support services company.” Ewer did not reveal whether Carillion would now become a favoured operator partner to Laing, however all staff currently employed in JLIS have transferred to Carillion.

 

General Electric for turbine maintenance

As the Carillion deal was going through, John Laing was pushing on with some major contract gains in its selected markets. The company achieved financial close on the Burton Wold onshore wind farm situated in Northamptonshire. John Laing is 100% investor in the facility after working with developer First Renewable Ltd to acquire the project from the landlord shareholders in June.

Winvic has already begun work on the supporting site infrastructure and grid connection to the electrical substation is planned for December. The turbines are planned for installation in mid 2014 following which turbine operations and maintenance will be delivered by GE Company – better known as General Electric.

 

Private health, hotel & conference centre

John Laing has also formed a joint venture with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) to deliver the Forum development on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (pictured above).

The Forum, which will be designed by international architects, NBBJ, will bring together under one roof a post-graduate medical education centre, private hospital, a 198-room hotel and a 550-seat conference centre.

Funding for the £120 million infrastructure project will be arranged entirely by John Laing. Construction will be carried out by Laing O’Rourke and it is planned that the private hospital will be run by Ramsay Health Care UK – a healthcare, not an integrated services provider.

 

Honouring commitments?

Meanwhile, just seven weeks ago, John Laing Integrated Service signed a five year contract to deliver library services on behalf of the London Boroughs of Ealing and Harrow. This incorporated 23 libraries as well as a home library service.

The contract started immediately with JLIS boasting at the time that as a result of the new arrangements, Ealing and Harrow libraries would benefit from new technologies, more cultural events and innovations in online resources to support local business and education, as part of a phased programme of improvements. A statement at the time said ‘JLIS will work with the local communities to ensure continuous improvements’. JLIS holds a similar contract with Hounslow and is to begin another with the London Borough of Croydon in October.

ThisWeekinFM has sent questions to Tim Grier, John Laing Integrated Services MD, asking if he feels Carillion can honour the commitments made by JLIS.

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 21 October 2013

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