Government Hub framework success for ISG in Birmingham

ISG has secured the contract to fit-out the UK Government hub  at the Arena Central area of Birmingham, which will house HM Revenue & Customs’ Birmingham Regional Centre alongside civil servants from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). This award follows ISG’s appointment to a similar scheme in Cardiff, also procured via the Government Hubs Fit-Out Framework programme. 

ISG will fit out the newly constructed 14-storey building, which will be home to HMRC’s Birmingham Regional Centre  bringing staff together in a purpose-built facility, with the flexibility and advanced technology infrastructure to support the government agency’s future workspace demands.

The circa 240,000 sq ft fit out encompasses the delivery of majority open plan office accommodation, as well as meeting room suites and cellular offices. There will also be works to a basement car park and new public amenity area. The modern design and layout will enable disparate teams to come together, supporting the government’s target to streamline its estate as well as work processes. The project is set to commence in November 2020, with completion scheduled for autumn 2021.

The Government Hubs Fit-Out Framework programme is helping to reshape the government estate, reducing the number of buildings in use from around 800 to circa 200 by 2023. As part of this process, HMRC is transforming from 170 offices in November 2015 to 13 regional centres across every region in the UK, including Birmingham, with purpose-built facilities to support the digital transformation of HMRC. 

Wayne Flannery, ISG’s Midlands regional director, commented: “HMRC has an ambitious programme to future-proof its physical estate and optimise its office space to meet growing digitalisation demands. By adopting a framework procurement approach, HMRC has recognised the significant benefits of early contractor engagement and active collaboration to explore and implement the most efficient delivery programmes for these key regional hubs.

“Given the time and space to explore different delivery scenarios and programme approaches, ISG has developed a fast-track schedule, in partnership with our project stakeholders, that maximises efficiencies and community social value outcomes for this keynote scheme.”