MFRA is an exemplary client to work alongside. Wates has constructed five projects in collaboration with MFRA, all of which play a vital role in keeping their local communities safe and setting incredibly high standards for the fire service industry. MFRA puts their purpose to serve, protect, and keep their people safe, at the heart of everything they do. Their integrity to deliver everything at the highest possible standard aligns directly with ours, consistently facilitating a fruitful collaborative relationship.
MFRA has excellent established procurement groups and principles – including experts in risk management, legal and commercial advice extending across regional authorities such as Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire and Northern Ireland. Their commitment to fostering long-term contracting relationships that ensures better value and enhanced outcomes make them a pleasure and ease to work with.
MFRA’s commitment to prioritising the safety of their people is admirable. When dangerous training conditions weren’t possible to build safely, MFRA turned to digital technology. Using our client’s contacts Wates appointed digital specialists to create virtual reality POD rooms that could generate training exercises using VR scenarios across Liverpool. These innovative digital solutions ensure that fire fighters are still trained in high-pressure situations despite mitigating risk, revolutionising the fire service by providing a robust base for monitoring and coordinating national emergencies and disasters.
Three Winning Facts:
- Emphasis on Core Values: The Client’s core objectives, emphasizing thriving people, places, and the planet are at the forefront of every project undertaken. On the TDA project, the team contributed £18 million to local supply chains, employed 37 local people, and supported community causes, while prioritizing sustainability through initiatives like 23 electric vehicle charging points and the planting of over 150 trees. Together, Wates and MFRA developed a programme of “circular economy” focusing on the re-use of materials where possible, including not only site won materials but, identifying legacy equipment suitable for re-use or refurbishment.
- A Longstanding Commitment to Equality and Community Engagement: The project was marked by strong diversity and inclusion efforts, with women in leadership roles and a focus on mentoring and developing talent, all a key requirement and value of the client. With MFRA’s backing, Wates ensured we invested in our staff’s skills. The team was constituted by an excellent group of young people on work experience, 19 individuals furthest from the workforce groups, and prioritised the local community by employing 523 people within a 30-mile radius of the project.
- Focus on Collaboration: Collaboration was critical to the successful delivery of this project. Blue light working groups were established from the outset to co-ordinate with all stakeholders at both national and local levels to ensure that a stakeholder plan was developed and, the team could capture the unique requirements for the project. This collaboration began on day one of inception and is still in effect post-handover. For every completed project within the Wates/MFRA relationship, a 10/10 net promoter and client satisfaction score has been received.
