May 2022

Vercity CEO Blog – Stuart Yeatman

Dear All

I hope you are keeping safe and well.

This quarter, I wanted to share some updates with you on current Vercity projects, including a wellbeing fundraiser, our client feedback survey in our 25th year, the restructure of our Strategic Asset Management and Technical Services, and how we are supporting our clients with Net Zero.

Project Exit – PPP Expiry
The Project Exit initiative has made good progress in the first quarter of the year. Reviews have been undertaken on Vercity managed projects expiring in the next seven years. The reviews assess individual project circumstances, risks, and outputs. We have issued briefing papers to the SPV Boards, which have generated positive discussion and feedback both inside the business and with our clients. Internal and external briefing papers on the key themes and findings will be prepared and issued during Q2 as we continue to develop and refine our approach.
Several case studies highlighting Project Exit experiences throughout the business have been shared through the Vercity website and LinkedIn. Case studies are an integral part of our broader engagement with industry stakeholders, including our investor clients, the IPA, BSA and Partnerships Bulletin where we continue to support discussion panels at Handback Summits.

Handback at Vercity
After a huge effort by Anna Ricci and the team (Operations, Finance and Consultancy) the British Transport Police project successfully handed back on 25 March. An interim arrangement for post-concession management of the SPV has been put in place and discussions are ongoing about a longer contract – contract expiry does not mean the SPV ceases to need management services.
A new commission for handback management has been awarded to Vercity for the Stoke Schools project. Our approach will protect the SPV and support the MSA team on a complex process.

ISO Recertification
Vercity is proud to have achieved recertification for its Asset Management System – ISO55001:2014 Asset Management. Vercity was the first Management Services Provider working in the field of Asset Management of PPP assets to obtain this accreditation. The recertification underlines that the commitment to Asset Management for our clients remains strong. This was achieved using representative data from a range of Vercity Projects.

Route to Net Zero
Vercity Consultancy provides specialist guidance for its stakeholders working towards Net Zero in the built environment. We understand the need for creating a bespoke plan which is realistic in meeting and, where possible, exceeding individual client targets. Clean Energy Consultant Ross Wigg delivers client webinars with key members of the Vercity team to support them in this complex, essential process, and has developed a flyer for further reference.
Look out for our next campaign covering Facilities Management Services, coming soon.

Vercity Charitable Fitness Challenge
To raise awareness for Recirculate (formerly known as Lifecycle), the bike restoring initiative with InfraRed and Bouygues, Vercity has launched a charitable fitness challenge, which will run from May to October 2022, to raise money for Southmead and Peterborough Hospital Charities.
Vercity staff and anyone involved on projects from other organisations can sign up to cycle, walk or run at least 171 miles (the distance between the two hospitals) within the period. Vercity will match funding raised by our own team. More information on how to get involved or support this initiative with sponsors will be published shortly. To take part sign up for a Just Giving page for either hospital charity and join the team page here.

Tell us what you think
Our new name and website were launched in April 2021. We have just passed the one-year mark as Vercity and have asked our clients for feedback on aspects of our services which we do well, and areas of improvement. The intention is to continually evolve to meet our client needs, and ensure our website remains informative and intuitive. We welcome any further comments and discussion here.

Vercity is 25!
2022 marks 25-years in business for Vercity (formerly HCP). We will be celebrating this milestone by holding our company conference in person, the first time since 2019. The business is in great shape to grow and support clients and communities, in the PPP and built environment sectors, for the next 25-years and beyond. Please do reach out and share your thoughts on the challenges you face in business and how Vercity can help.

SAM Restructure
Vercity is pleased to announce further improvements to our Strategic Asset Management (SAM) offer.
The existing workstreams of Enhance, Innovate and Intelligence have been further bolstered by the merging of the Vercity SAM and Technical Consultancy Teams. This development offers a best-in-class Asset Management consultancy, bringing the Asset Management skillsets together with the Technical Engineering, Facilities Management and Clean Energy specialisms.
The restructured team is now led by Mark Cade, Vercity Consultancy’s Strategic Asset Management Director. This improvement to the SAM team will support Vercity’s clients in optimising Asset Performance and maximising Asset Value.

Please subscribe for updates by following this blog and let me know in the comments of any future topics that you would like to see covered.

All the best

Stuart