charity news
help for
issue 11 | March 2008
heroes
The donation was made possible by the
generosity of three organisations. Firstly,
staff within Aspire Defence Capital Works
(ADCW) donated £2,500 raised by a
raffle at their late summer ball. On behalf
of ADCW Paul Dempster donated a
further £1,500 bringing the total
donation to £4,000.
Secondly Carillion Private Finance
supported the charity by adding £7,500
to the donation and thirdly, CMS,
Cameron McKenna, Aspire Defence’s legal
advisors set aside an amount each year to
donate to charity. And when Frank Dufficy,
CMS Cameron McKenna heard of Help for
Heroes he realised that this is where their
£50,000 donation should be sent.
Peter Smart, chief executive for Aspire
Defence said, “Because of Aspire’s close
relationship with the Army and because
many soldiers currently deployed on
operations come from the garrisons which
we support, Help for Heroes is a cause
which has particular poignancy for us.
32 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
We have been associated with the
campaign since before its launch and
have, for example, provided Help for
Heroes with design services support
and office space at the Aspire Business
Centre in Tidworth. We believe that
Help for Heroes is a great cause which
given that Aspire’s role is all about
making soldiers lives better, has
particular relevance for us.”
www.aspiredefence.co.uk
aspirations
t h e
m a g a z i n e
f o r
A s p i r e
e m p l o y e e s
a n d
s t a k e h o l d e r s
Designed & produced by Cafécreate Limited.
A
spire Defence, jointly with our law
firm CMS Cameron McKenna
and Carillion Private Finance
presented a cheque donation
for £61,500 to Help for Heroes.
Aspire Business Centre
Ordnance Road
Tidworth
SP9 7QD
T 0845 168 2000
F 0845 168 2999
The charity aims to help those who
have been wounded in the conflicts in
which the Armed Forces are currently
engaged, primarily Afghanistan and
Iraq. The initial target is to raise up
to £5 million and will focus on the
building of a swimming pool and gym
at the forces’ rehabilitation centre,
Headley Court, in Surrey.
Aspire’s other key sponsor, KBR, is
in discussions with Help for Heroes
in offering assistance with the project
management of the new swimming
pool at Headley Court.
The cheque was presented by Peter
Smart, Chief Executive for Aspire
Defence Ltd, Paul Dempster, Managing
Director, Aspire Defence Capital Works,
Frank Dufficy, Senior Partner for
CMS Cameron McKenna and Robin
Herzberg, Managing Director for
Carillion Private Finance and it was
accepted by Penny Brown and
Roger Morgan-Grenville, fundraiser
co-ordinators for Help for Heroes.
More details on ‘Help for Heroes’
and ways in which donations
can be made can be found on
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Aldershot
The
Winning
Team
How we struck gold
a successful delivery
welcome
PROJECT
ALLENBY/CONNAUGHT
celebrating
success!
contents
A successful delivery
Doug Weidner’s view
A winning team
BOA choses Aldershot
Steve Francis
A day in the life
Perham Down
Progress update
03
04
08
10
Bulford
Progress update
11
Alex Truscott
A soldiers’ story
12
Green issues
13
Sustainability Award winners
KBR / Carillion
Improving the quality of life
14
Human Resources Awards
CCP certification
15
Aldershot
Progress update
16
Nick Smout
A day in the life
18
Supply Chain
MUJV, VT Land, Sodexo
20
Steve Mayersbeth
A day in the life
22
Warminster
Progress update
24
Tidworth
The official opening
26
by Peter Smart, Chief Executive, Aspire Defence Ltd
M
uch of this edition of
Aspirations is given over
to celebrating success –
and so it should be. It is almost two
years now since we signed our contract
with the MoD and by any measure our
achievements have been outstanding.
You don’t need to accept my word for
that, you can read what our client,
Doug Weidner has to say, and how our
senior shareholders, John McDonough
of Carillion and Gordon Bryden of KBR
view the importance of Aspire. Our
achievements have also been
recognised externally by various awards
and by ISO certification and Investors
in People accreditation.
Everyone in Aspire Defence and its
supply chain partners has made a
contribution to that success and can
be justly proud of what has been
achieved. We can be equally proud
that we are making life better for the
soldiers we support and for example,
by the construction and provision of
new living accommodation.
31
Help for Heroes
£61,500 raised for charity
32
delivery
by Doug Weidner, MoD Project Manager
In my last Aspirations article I referred
to the significant number of VIP visits
the Project has hosted.
T
None of this is to gloat about or be
complacent about. We still have a
great deal to achieve and to some
extent the standards we have set will
become the benchmark and we will
have to keep improving.
We have however established some
really excellent foundations and I
am grateful for all the hard work that
I know has gone into getting us to
this position.
his flow of important and
very welcome visitors has
continued but without doubt
the most significant and important
was by the Secretary of State for
Defence, the Right Honourable
Des Browne MP, and the Chief of
the General Staff, General Sir Richard
Dannatt to officially open the 2nd
Royal Tank Regiment’s new barracks
in Tidworth, on 19 October 2007.
This event, marking the successful
achievement of what the Ministry
of Defence calls the In Service Date
Well done.
By our second anniversary at the end
of March, we will have accommodated
some 2,000 soldiers in their own new
en-suite rooms. Read on page 12 what
a difference it makes to their lives.
Larkhill
28
A new home for the Royal Artillery
Setting the Standard
Improving our operation
a successful
ASPIRE DEFENCE
(in other words the date by which the
MoD required us all to deliver the first
new barracks for a complete battalion)
was undoubtedly one of the highlights
of what has been an eventful but
extremely fulfilling first 18 months
in the life of the Project. To deliver the
full suite of accommodation on time
of writing we have delivered nearly 2,000
bedspaces; there is a total of 81 new
and refurbished buildings occupied and
over 110 building demolitions have been
achieved. In Aldershot the new main
office building, Wellington House,
housing among many others the garrison
headquarters, was accepted into service
on time and the first six new single living
accommodation blocks and diner will
be delivered ahead of schedule. The
situation at Perham Down is equally
impressive where, with the exception of
two major building refurbishments, and
required an immense effort
and one that I do not
under-estimate in any way.
Immense credit is due to
all of you for making it
happen. Thank you.
The MoD in London takes
a close interest in Project
Allenby/Connaught, which
is not surprising given that
it is delivering substantial
improvements to the way
in which 20% of the Army
live and work, and it was vital to
demonstrate that we could deliver
on the commitments made when
the contract with Aspire Defence was
signed in March 2006. The official
opening ceremony provided an
excellent opportunity to do just that,
and the reaction, feedback and media
coverage have been extremely positive.
The strategic importance of ensuring
the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment returned
from Germany on time has meant that
inevitably there has been a great deal
of focus on Tidworth, but progress in
construction is impressive across the
whole project footprint. Some of it very
visible as construction continues apace
on six major sites, some is less visible
but that should not detract from the
fact that it is equally important. The
statistics are impressive. At the time
some minor alterations to the community
centre later in the programme,
construction at Perham Down will be
totally complete by January 2009.
Construction work is now also underway
at Larkhill, Bulford and Warminster.
In the meantime Services continue to
perform at a very high standard, with
the performance of the Help Desk, and
response times to rectify faults continuing
to impress. Most importantly feedback
from the garrisons remains very positive.
The formal Tidworth opening marked
a major milestone and a huge
achievement. But the majority is still
ahead of us. There remains much to
be done but it has undoubtedly been
a very strong start.
Aspire Business Centre
Ordnance Road, Tidworth, SP9 7QD
2 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
T 0845 168 2000 | W www.aspiredefence.co.uk
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 3
Doug Weidner,
Graham Blow
(ADSL) and
Major General
Peter Everson
talk to one of
the soldiers
using the new
training centre at
Wellington House.
a winning team
a winning team
a winning
team
The British Olympic Association
(BOA) has chosen Aldershot to host Team
GB’s London 2012, Pre-Olympic Games
Preparation and Processing Camp.
A
partnership comprising
Aspire Defence, the Army
and Rushmoor Borough
Council beat the proposal ahead of
the University of Bath, Loughborough
University and Millfield School.
All Team GB athletes are anticipated
to attend the secure, residential camp
for training at the Army’s Centre
of Sporting Excellence in Aldershot,
for acclimatisation in an Olympic
Village style environment, for training,
co-ordination, kitting-out and processing
during early July and August 2012
before moving to the Olympic Village
or sports venues nearby.
The facilities managed by ADSL
incorporate the Army Centre of
Sporting Excellence as well as the
Army School of Physical Training and
have been used for training by more
than twenty Olympians including
ex-Army Sergeant and double
Olympic Gold Medallist, Dame Kelly
Holmes, and ex-Warrant Officer and
triple Olympic Medallist, Kriss
Akabusi. The swimming pool
complex is currently used as the
permanent high performance training
centre for Great Britain’s Olympic
synchronised swimming squad.
Aldershot Garrison boasts 200 acres of sports facilities providing the best
international, elite standard multi sport facility in the south east.
“We are delighted and proud to be
chosen to help Team GB in their final
preparations for London 2012,” said
Graham Blow, Managing Director
of Aspire Defence Services Limited.
“The BOA’s decision is a ringing
endorsement of the first class
facilities and accommodation being
provided at Aldershot, as well as
the hard work that we, the Army
and Rushmoor Borough Council have
put in to deliver this bid.”
4 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 5
olympic win
A new boxing and
martial arts centre
will be opened
in 2010.
“As anticipation builds in the weeks
before the Games and the country
reaches fever pitch, we will provide
a focused and secure environment
where Team GB can thrive.”
Aldershot Garrison Colonel, Nigel
Josling OBE is delighted with the
news: “This is a fantastic opportunity.
It has come about because of a
fortunate coincidence of the 2012
Games being held in London at a time
when Aldershot Garrison is being
redeveloped. We can provide Team
GB with a unique opportunity to
prepare for the Games, and at the
same time maintain support to our
own soldiers.
It will be a team effort in other ways
too, drawing upon the longstanding
partnership we have with the local
community of Rushmoor and the
strong relationship we have built
with the Project Allenby/Connaught
contractors, Aspire Defence.”
Andy Glasspool,
leisure services
manager and Kath
Cortizo garrison
facilities director,
celebrate Aldershot’s
success.
Since the press conference Kath
Cortizo, garrison facilities director
and Andy Glasspool, leisure services
manager have continued liaising
closely with the BOA and are now
looking at the specific service
delivery aspect for the team.
“
Simon Clegg,
chief executive,
British Olympic
Association
announces
Aldershot will host
Team GB at the
preparation camp.
“The passion and enthusiasm that
has been generated has been
fantastic and the support of all ADSL
employees in Aldershot has been
second to none”, said Andy.
“We are looking at relationship
development with the BOA for an
easy transition to Aldershot for the
National Governing Bodies and how
we can best deliver events prior
to the main camp and of course
delivering ‘best in class’ service from
day one of the Team GB preparation
camp for the 2012 Olympic Games.”
The BOA’s decision is a ringing
endorsement of the first class facilities
and accommodation being provided at
Aldershot, as well as the hard work that
we, the Army and Rushmoor Borough
Council have put in to deliver this bid
6 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
”
A partnership led by Aspire Defence helped secure the preparation
camp at Aldershot Garrison.
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 7
focus on…
…focus on
Steve Francis
Utilities Manager at Perham Down & Bulford,
Aspire Defence Capital Works
My role covers the diversion of existing
and installation of all new infrastructure
utility services provided on Perham Down
and Bulford camps.
T
his includes installing
electrical cables, foul drainage
systems, water and gas
supplies into all new and existing
buildings and assets. As this is taking
place ADCW has to ensure that
temporary supplies are installed
to keep the camp fully operational
24 hours a day.
Locating existing services is proving
to be a real problem as there is
so much that has been hidden
underground for years due to
re-developments and there is only
limited information about them.
We dig up all sorts of unidentified
articles, and the trouble with this is
there is a big danger of unearthing
existing ‘live’ services, especially gas.
If a gas main is accidentally struck it
can have serious implications resulting
in at the very least, disruption to service
and the Army, but also the risk of
accident and injury.
At best we have a 60% picture of
what lies below the surface, so to help
off-set this we have, where possible,
undertaken radar scanning which helps
build a better picture with an accuracy
rate of around 95%.
8 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
“
I live locally and both my son
and daughter also work for Aspire,
within ADSL.
Across this region there are numerous
burial sites and artefacts and we’ve
unearthed some bronze age burial pots
at Tidworth which Wessex Archaeology
catalogued and preserved
I also get involved with rattle
accommodation which means
moving the Army around the camps,
into existing or short term
accommodation and altering the
utility supplies on a temporary basis
to suit their requirements.
Over the past thirty years within the
construction industry I have been
involved with and seen some
interesting projects, most notably the
Millennium Stadium in Wales, where
I was a member of the team brought
in to ensure that it was completed in
time for the World Cup rugby of 1999.
When I arrived on the project, there
was just six months remaining and
at that point they had not even got
the roof on! But we did it. It was
a massive achievement - and one
of the most prestigious projects
I had been involved with.
Across this region there are
numerous burial sites and artefacts
and we unearthed some bronze
age burial pots at Tidworth which
Wessex Archaeology catalogued
and preserved.
I am happy to report that service
strikes across the two camps so
far have been minor, and damage
was dealt with safely, quickly
and efficiently.
as an electrical manager. So it’s funny
to see the work I completed then,
being replaced now.
”
My son is a carpenter and my
daughter is with the job allocation
team on Tidworth Garrison.
I have worked at Bulford Camp twice
before. The first time was 26 years
ago as an electrician; re-wiring some
of the old buildings, bringing them
up to standard and again in 1991
Another challenge that comes with
organising sub-contractors who work
closely together in the same areas
is trying to get them working without
falling out with each other! So, an
important part of my role is to help
establish a good rapport between
everyone so we can reach a common
goal. If people get on well, I find they
will help each other out. Once we
all have the same understanding
everybody works well which
benefits us all.
We are now into the second stage
with most of the demolition complete
and new buildings under construction.
We will deliver new offices, a super
diner and extension to the gymnasium
over the next
two years.
The actual process can be difficult
too as when you are laying pipes
and drainage, you can’t just lay
a small section you have
to deliver the
whole thing.
Working here with Aspire, I have
different challenges. Undoubtedly
the biggest is trying to achieve zero
or limited utility service strikes over
the next eight years.
I do have some unusual
challenges too. Over the
last eighteen months, at
both Perham and Bulford,
work has been delayed
while environmental
measures were put into place
to manage lizard and bat
colonies. Only once they had been
carefully removed could ADCW start
demolition. This was not a delay
we anticipated. However, we all still
had a job to do, so there was a need
for co-operation and commitment
by all contractors to catch up the
lost time and hit the deadlines
and handover dates.
We are able to achieve this through
organising weekly site meetings
to co-ordinate everything.
The first construction phase stage
at Perham Down went smoothly –
it was a team effort from start to
finish and the accommodation for
the soldiers was handed over
successfully, all ahead of schedule.
The most rewarding part of my job so
far, is to have managed the successful
installation of utility services across
both sites with our sub-contractors
in a very short time scale.
It’s all systems go on both sites!
There is hardly a quiet time and every
day is different, which is what I like
about the job.
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 9
progress update
progress update
perham down
bulford
Progress since the last Aspirations has been
Work is now well underway on the
next phase of new buildings on the
camp and again the MoD has allowed
us to sanitise a large area of their
base. With the handover of the
JRSLA village into Army use the
fencing was removed and relocated
to the new construction areas to
aid ease of access.
In mid October as the work at Perham Down settled into a well
In the secure area of the camp our
team of refurbishment specialists has
been successfully handing over assets,
sometimes ahead of programme to
ensure the Army can function and
go about their daily business with
minimum disruption. This work has
T
an update by Phil Shelton, Senior Project Manger,
Aspire Defence Capital Works
good on both sites and many more assets
have been delivered to the MoD ahead
of or on programme.
T
he junior ranks 36 man
units (JRSLAs) have been
handed over progressively
during 2007 and the village itself
comprising of fifteen JRSLAs were
completed in mid November, two
months ahead of programme. These
provide 540 new en-suite bedrooms
for regiments at Perham Down,
most of whom returned from Iraq
and Afghanistan.
part of the base and to allow
Aspire Defence direct access,
thus facilitating the employment
of workers not granted full
security clearance, to work on
the base and assist in maintaining
high resource levels.
managed sequence the core team of staff transferred to Bulford
Camp as work there ramps up, requiring more staff to join
the existing team, who have already successfully handed over
two assets.
he new team started work
seven weeks early on the
new Kiwi and Ward JRSLA
villages. The first 36 man unit from
Corus was installed in late October
and we programmed that seven
JRSLA blocks, a four and two block
terrace house were all installed
by Christmas.
However, the programme of work
in the first two years has not been
affected which has meant work
ploughs on ahead.
Going forward the Bulford team
is now heavily involved in reviewing
and finalising a new layout for the
base in the long term.
Bulford, like Perham Down, has
undergone a review and change to
the tendered scheme and whilst the
changes at Perham Down have now
been agreed at Bulford they are still
being finalised.
The village itself is self contained
and provides a university campus
environment for the soldiers. The
speed of this installation which has
taken less than a year to construct,
has been assisted by the agreement
with the MoD to ‘sanitise’ a large
The new car park at Perham Down which used to be the base for the construction site offices,
now handed over to the residents of the JRSLAs.
Living accommodation for nearly 600 soldiers
has already been delivered at Perham Down.
10 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
Also in the ‘sanitised’ area a new
Quarter Masters’ offices and stores
building has been handed over one
month ahead of programme and
work is progressing well on a new
training building, a senior officers
single living accommodation block,
consisting of 72 bedrooms and
due for completion four months
early, together with an officers
Mess building.
gone exceedingly well considering
the nature of refurbishment and
continuously finding and then rectifying
unforeseen works alongside the day-today programme. It’s gone so well that
work was completed in November, six
months ahead of schedule. This
permitted our refurbishment specialists
to transfer to Bulford early and try their
hand at new build.
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 11
focus on…
green issues
Alex Truscott
Having recently moved into his new en-suite room in Aliwal
Green…
Sustainability issues
Project Allenby/Connaught
scooped two Sustainability Awards.
Barracks, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment soldier, Corporal
Alex Truscott, has first-hand experience of the new 2 RTR living
and working accommodation which Aspire Defence is building
T
he Project gained recognition
as Building Magazine’s
‘Sustainable Development
of the Year’ and ‘Best Sustainability
Initiative for the Public Sector’.
at garrisons across Salisbury Plain and Aldershot.
Having his own bathroom gives
Alex more personal space.
“
“The new rooms are spacious and
feel modern and comfortable –
they’re really top notch. I use the
gym regularly and the internet café
is still popular although it’s great
that we can now get broadband
in our rooms.”
A hot meal provides the energy for the afternoon.
T
he new accommodation
is excellent and is definitely
the best I’ve had in my
11 years in the Army. Having your
own bathroom gives you more
personal space so it’s really easy to
switch off after a hard day at work.
I think it’s good to have that split
between your work and home life
and we still get the social aspect
from our shared kitchen and the
new cook house and bar.” Alex said.
Catching up on his washing
in the communal utility area.
12 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
These are the industry’s leading
awards recognising outstanding
sustainability achievement and
environmental excellence.
Bike sheds are provided at all the key locations
at each garrison.
Sustainability covers a wide range
of issues and is embedded in the
heart of the Project in all its design,
construction and service delivery
elements. Solutions have been
developed with local authorities,
Natural England and others and
include low carbon energy
technologies, measures to reduce
energy and water consumption;
bio-diversity; wildlife protection;
encouraging economic regeneration
and local employment; ensuring staff
are well protected and minimising the
impact construction activity has on
local communities.
Alex relaxes in his room.
Alex is also pleased with the new
working accommodation that has
been created as part of Project
Allenby/Connaught: “I now have
an office which I share with a
colleague. It has a much better feel
to it and we’ve got far more storage
space than before,” he added.
Chief of the General Staff, Sir Richard Dannatt
inspected Alex’s room when he visited Tidworth
Garrison in October.
Left to right: Clive Anderson, Steve Arthur, J Sweet
of ILevel Trus Joist (award sponsors) and
Denise Chevin, Editor of Building Magazine.
Project Allenby/Connaught is committed
to delivering a sustainable estate and
the MoD has set some very challenging
objectives. To meet these commitments,
and in winning these awards, Aspire
Defence has demonstrated that it has
excelled in a number of areas: designing
for sustainability; construction; waste;
stakeholder engagement and future
development.
“The Sustainable Development of the
Year Award is the top award which
recognises the demands of the
construction industry and government
for sustainable best practice. At Aspire
we continue to deliver improvements
to the soldiers’ living and working
environments – sympathetically and
without compromising the impact on
the surrounding wildlife and landscape
– often in tandem with the Army
continuing its day to day business”
said Paul Dempster, managing director
of Aspire Defence Capital Works.
Peter Smart, chief executive, Aspire
Defence Ltd said, “This is a significant
milestone for Aspire Defence. In less
than two years we have made a
significant difference to the quality
of life on the garrisons and to soldiers
themselves. But the story does not
stop here - we have to continue to
deliver a sustainable environment
over the next 35 years!”
Left to right: S Muttsinovic from Fulcrum Consulting (award sponsors),
Nick Kirwan, Jon Atkinson, Lorna Russell, Peter Caddock and
Denise Chevin, Editor of Building Magazine.
Building Magazine first launched the
Sustainability Awards Scheme in
2005 to recognise and reward UK
construction businesses which are at the
forefront of sustainability best practice.
Green Fact File
• All 500 buildings under Project Allenby/
Connaught have to achieve ‘Excellent’
(new) and ‘Very Good’ (refurbished)
ratings in the Building Research
Establishment Environmental Assessment
Method (BREEAM) standards. This is
the largest BREEAM certification project
in the UK
• Low carbon energy technologies
incorporated within buildings include
solar thermal water heating and micro
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
systems which will save in the region of
1,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually
• Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
(SUDS) are being installed as well
as rainwater harvesting units across
the project
• A management system monitors energy
and water so that performance can be
effectively evaluated
• All timber used across the project is from
sustainable sources and certified to an
FSC or PEFC scheme.
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 13
KBR - Carillion
HR awards
award winners
Left to right:
Don Kenny, executive director, Carillion
Business Services, Arthur Moore, chairman,
Aspire Defence Ltd and Bill Utt, chairman,
president and CEO, KBR at the official opening
of the 2RTR barracks.
C
ongratulations go to two
members of ADSL’s HR team
who have been successful in
being awarded the Certificate in
Personnel Practice (CPP). Kerry
Phillimore and Theresa Shoemark
(below), administrators in the Human
Resources department based in the
Aspire Business Centre, studied for
this qualification on a part-time basis
via Salisbury College.
KBR is very proud of its involvement in Aspire Defence
and Project Allenby/Connaught, improving the quality
of life for soldiers today and for many years to come.
W
hilst we read and hear
much in the media at
the moment about the
inappropriate conditions that many
soldiers and their families endure it
is pleasing to know that we are, in
a small way, making a real difference
to their living, working and
recreational conditions.
KBR has people fully integrated within
the overall Aspire team, bringing skills
and experience such as design
engineering, construction management
and financial management through
to expertise in sustainability, ecology
and green energy.
Aspire Defence
Capital Works
and Aspire Defence
Services Ltd were
recently awarded
for project
excellence.
a commendable first year of service
delivery and the on-time hand-over of
the facilities required for the 2nd Royal
Tank Regiment; everyone involved in
Project Allenby / Connaught should be
justifiably proud of their contribution.
2RTR is the first of many significant
milestones that the Project will see
and our success is and will continue
to be a testament to the spirit of true
partnering that has developed between
everyone involved in the Project.
I keep closely involved in Project
Allenby/Connaught, and not just from
a business point of view. I am
impressed by the Project’s sustainability
credentials: the rainwater harvesting
alone is the equivalent of four million
toilet flushes per year and the solar
panels and combined heat and power
plants save 12,000 tons of C02.
KBR is renowned for its project control
and programme management skills,
and in such a large scale project as this
– running for 35 years with 55 parties
and 240 separate contracts – these key
core skills can be showcased.
We look forward to continuing our
significant contribution within the
Aspire Defence team as the contract
moves forward.
Significant challenges have already
been met, notably in terms of achieving
Gordon Bryden
Senior Vice President | KBR
14 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
P
roject Allenby/Connaught is
not only one of the largest
Public Private Partnership
(PPP) projects in the UK to date,
but is unquestionably also one of the
most important. Creating first class
accommodation and other facilities
for the garrisons on Salisbury Plain
and in Aldershot, and managing and
servicing these effectively over the
35 year concession period, is of
vital importance to the Army.
The men and women who will use
these new facilities serve around the
world, often in difficult and dangerous
situations, and the task of Aspire
Defence is to provide accommodation
and associated support services in the
UK that are second to none.
The success of Aspire Defence is also
hugely important to Carillion. Defence
is a key growth sector for us and the
Ministry of Defence is our largest
single customer.
I am therefore delighted by what the
team has achieved to date, through
bringing together the skills and
resources of Carillion and KBR.
The successful mobilisation of the
contract last year was a key factor in
enabling Aspire Defence to meet the
considerable challenges of the first
phase of the construction work, to
deliver the new accommodation for
the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment on time,
together with delivering facilities
management services across a
huge estate.
Continuing this success and meeting
the many challenges to come will
depend upon maintaining the
commitment and engagement of
everyone in the Aspire Defence team.
This in turn will depend on giving
everyone the opportunity to contribute
to the way things are done, with
managers and supervisors at all
levels engaging with their people,
listening to their views and
encouraging them to develop as
individuals and team members.
You already have much to be proud of.
The terrific facilities you are providing
will go a long way in transforming the
lives of Army personnel and helping
the Ministry of Defence realise its
strategic objective of recruiting and
retaining excellent people. Keep up
the good work!
Many hours of home study culminated
in successful achievement of the CPP,
recognised by the Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development as the first
stage of its Professional Development
Scheme. When Kerry was asked about
the benefits of this training, she said,
“I was keen to work towards a
qualification which would give me
practical training in the job I do and,
whilst it was hard work, I now have a
much better understanding of the
different aspects of HR.”
Left to right: Mike Staines (HR Director), Kerry
Phillimore, Graham Blow, (Managing Director,
ADSL), Theresa Shoemark.
A further achievement for the HR
department sees Nichola Davidson
winning the payroll administrator
of the Year National Award 2007.
Nichola has been instrumental in
establishing and running ADSL’s
payroll since joining in 2005.
Back Row: Mike Staines, Nichola Davidson,
Lauraine Bolton, Kathryn Williams.
Front Row: Sacha Batty, Joyce Bellwood, Kerry
Phillimore, Theresa Shoemark.
And finally, to ensure the department
keeps in touch with the rest of the
business, over the past few months
the garrisons have very kindly hosted
visits for members of the team.
‘HR on Tour’ has meant, rather
than just talking on the telephone
or communicating via e-mail, team
members have been able to meet
up with key contacts in the garrisons
and benefited from seeing first hand
the work being carried out across
the Project footprint. These visits have
made staff far more aware of the
issues faced by the operational teams
and putting faces to names has been
of real value. It also provides the
garrisons an opportunity to meet
the people in HR they may speak
to or receive correspondence from.
Nicola Davidson
payroll
administrator
2007.
John McDonough
Chief Executive | Carillion plc
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 15
progress update
progress update
aldershot…
first major milestone achieved
by Rhod McGregor, Project Manager
The Aspire Defence Capital Works (ADCW) and Aspire Defence Services
Ltd (ADSL) teams achieved the first major milestone in Aldershot with
the Acceptance into Service of Wellington House, St Omer Barracks,
which provides a new training and education centre for the Army
as well as the headquarters for Aldershot Garrison.
T
he building was officially
opened in December
by General Officer
Commanding 4th Division,
Major General Peter Everson.
It provides a modern, high quality,
fully serviced, purpose built education
centre for officers and soldiers offering
courses including adult literacy and
career leadership and management.
Wellington House also provides office
accommodation for a number of other
units that were previously spread
across Aldershot Garrison as well
as the ADSL Aldershot management
team, the Army’s garrison
management team (GMT) and the
Aspire Defence Capital Works team who oversaw
the construction process.
16 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
Peter Smart, chief executive, Aspire Defence Ltd with Major General Peter Everson and
Colonel Nigel Josling, opened Wellington House, the new Army training and education centre.
local MoD Project Allenby/Connaught
team. The accommodation brings
them together under one roof for
the first time, which will help facilitate
effective management and
communication to deliver the best
service possible.
Just 18 months previously, the site
on which Wellington House stands
was a parade square. Now the
garrison is changing day–by–day with
the building of new living and working
accommodation under project
manager, Rhod McGregor’s team.
Rhod said, “In total in Aldershot,
ADCW will deliver 2,400 soldiers with
single en-suite bedrooms as well as a
whole range of other facilities. The first
of these to be delivered in Aldershot
along with a new dining facility, which
will be able to cater for up to 800
soldiers in each sitting, will be handed
over to the Army in Spring 2008.”
Left: A warm
welcome into
Wellington House
is always on offer.
Services which underpin the smooth
running of the garrison are already
being provided across Aldershot
Garrison. These include estate
management, 24 hour help desk,
armoury, catering, cleaning
and utilities.
But it was
Tina Goodman
facilities manager,
ADSL, who drew
up a detailed
‘decant’ plan
and oversaw
the transition of
the 15 units into
Wellington House, which were moved
into the building within a six day
period. Tina organised the move from
liaising closely with the removals
company, organising cleaning through
Sodexo and ensuring a state of the
art security system was installed.
Taking just 60 weeks to build, furnish
and handover into service, Wellington
House provides a significant landmark
on the garrison, as when
the Defence Food Services School affectionately referred to locally as
Custard Towers - is demolished in
January 2009 it will become the
tallest building on the new look
garrison with just three floors.
Colonel Nigel Josling, Aldershot
Garrison, said “The milestone in
Aldershot is especially significant as
Wellington House is a very visible part
of the construction and service
programme. Wellington House stands
on the roadside and can be seen by
local residents as well as military
personnel – so people can see the
progress being made before their eyes.
Far left:
Tina Goodman,
facilities manager,
oversaw the
successful
transition of
15 units into
Wellington House.
More important for our soldiers,
though, will be the completion of
the first new accommodation blocks,
in spring 2008, adjacent to Wellington
House. There is definitely a sense
of ‘happening’ and the Army is
looking forward to a new living
and working environment.”
Next to be delivered is the junior ranks
super diner, behind Wellington House,
due to be handed over in March
2008. Tina is busy making plans
with Sodexo to ensure bar and
retail facilities, catering and cleaning
contracts are all on target for when
the diner opens its doors.
Key Facts
1
2,400 single en suite flats will be
delivered in Aldershot under Project
Allenby/Connaught.
2
In total 4,800 soldiers in Aldershot will
benefit from the new or refurbished living
and working accommodation.
3
Around 20 buildings will be demolished
at St Omer Barracks, with an overall total
of 130 buildings demolished.
4
Across the garrison 100 new buildings
will be erected and 27 buildings will
be refurbished.
5
Six new 36 man Single Living
Accommodation blocks, all en–suite are
due to be delivered in Spring 2008.
6
7
8
The junior ranks super diner will
be completed in March 2008.
9
The 24 hour help desk provided
by Aspire on the garrison answered
99% of calls within 30 seconds.
Around 260 sub-contractors have
worked on site at any one time.
The Aldershot project has achieved
over 12 months accident free with
more than 400,000 safe man hours
worked without a reportable accident.
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 17
focus on…
…focus on
I then manage the contractor and the
work while it is ‘live’ and ensure it is
being done safely, on time and budget,
meeting our brief and quality standards.
I check all the work before the next
contractor is brought in.
Nick Smout
Construction Manager, Aspire Defence Capital Works
I work within Aldershot Garrison at St Omer Barracks looking
after the construction and completion of both Wellington House
A
I started work for ADCW in October
2007 coming from the John Radcliffe
Hospital construction project, so I have
worked with a number of the Aspire
Defence Capital Works team before.
“
new buildings, this will increase
during the course of the contract,
so I am really looking forward to rising
to that challenge.
I am really enjoying working at Aspire
alongside a wide mix of people, who
like myself, are mostly secondees of
either KBR or Carillion. They all bring
with them a different knowledge set,
fresh ideas and best practice and my
role provides an opportunity to learn
more from them and their experience.
We have a very good team ethos and
I am really enjoying working with Aspire,
working alongside a wide mix of people
who like myself, are mostly secondees
of either KBR or Carillion, although there
are a few direct Aspire employees
I studied civil engineering at university
and during my last year was sponsored
by Carillion and then joined them full
time in September 2000 after my
graduation.
With my move to Aspire I have
taken on more responsibility and am
now construction manager. Initially
over-seeing the construction of four
18 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
Throughout construction we have
lessons learnt sessions so we can review
and evolve the way we work to ensure
improvements can be made
and the super diner.
t the moment I look after the
construction of two buildings
– one is Wellington House,
which we recently handed over, and
the other is the super diner. I am
principally in charge of the construction
and completion of both of them.
“
and people and work are managed –
so people literally aren’t tripping over
each other and that unsafe or
uncomfortable working conditions are
not being created. We have a strong
emphasis on safety within ADCW and it
is core to our approach in all our work.
”
it amazes me how well we work
together considering our different
backgrounds. There is definitely a
lot of honesty and openness within
the company and that comes from
both the guys on site and the
design office. We are all working on
the same project – but it can be very
disjointed as we work on different sites.
It would be easy to do our own little bit
in our own location and not really talk to
each other. But just because of the nature
of the project there is a lot of opportunity
for us to learn lessons from other sites
and share work experiences.
For example we have been building the
super diner here in Aldershot at the same
time as the Tidworth team work on theirs.
So, both teams have visited each site to
see how the construction is being handled
and to see what can be learnt from each
and how specific problems can be
overcome. This also breeds a little bit of
friendly competition too as the completion
dates are similar. Any lessons learned from
our two construction projects will be
passed onto the team which is overseeing
the building of the next super diner
in Warminster.
where possible
”
Looking ahead, I check the building
plans to anticipate any problems and
resolve any issues before we progress
and to ensure different elements can
be scheduled where possible to run
concurrently eg the brick work
is underway at the same time the
windows are being fitted – all this needs
coordinating and communicating
between the different contractors –
so there’s lots of juggling along the way.
A great deal of my work is about problem
solving. On a building project you don’t
have ideal conditions at all times. You
constantly need to review work and
progress to ensure it all remains on track
I enjoy being faced with a problem to
be solved, getting a plan in place and
see it come to fruition and working!
Throughout construction we have
lessons learnt sessions so we can
review and evolve the way we work
to ensure improvements can be
made where possible.
We also work closely with
Aspire Defence Services
Limited from an early
stage of construction
to ensure the range
of facilities
management services can be installed
once the building is completed.
At Wellington House there was CCTV,
a multi media facility along with the
usual fire extinguishers which needed
to be considered. Planning early
ensures we incorporate all the services
required into the construction plan.
During the last quarter of construction
we discuss the handover of the building
and what ADSL will need from us.
There is also a period following AIS
where we have time to ensure we
can correct any problems picked up
on the ‘snagging list’.
Throughout the process we work
closely not only with our Services
colleagues but with the MoD and Army
too, ensuring smooth handling of the
project and providing an opportunity
to plan around issues which arise.
Without a joint approach and mutual
cooperation the project would be very
difficult to complete so we strive
to ensure we work as a team
to achieve optimum results,
on programme, to brief
and budget!
Nick Smout, construction manager
considers the plans for the next
construction phase in Aldershot.
My job starts with planning the work,
from how long operations will
take, when we need to start
the different work elements –
construction, scheduling
contractors start up meetings
– when we discuss how the
buildings will actually be
constructed – to overseeing
and managing the work –
making sure everyone is
ready and on time to start,
that the site is ready and
we can hand over to
the contractor.
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 19
supply chain
supply chain
It is a real credit to the whole
team that we have handed over
a quality product, delivered on
time, especially with the tight
deadline of the return of 2RTR
back in July.”
Just over eighteen months ago
MUJV started work to provide
utility services to Project
Allenby/Connaught in which
MUJV has a vital supporting
job in the rolling programme to
improve soldiers’ accommodation
and recreational facilities.
Phil Giles, MUJV Operations Director,
explains that MUJV has the
responsibility to build gas, power,
water and waste-water infrastructure
and connect it to 365 new buildings
during the construction phase. About
45 new buildings have been connected
in the first year. “Our work is part of
Aspire Defence’s mission to provide
high quality homes fit for soldiers,”
says Phil.
“At Tidworth we showed up 18
months ago armed with a selection
of construction plans for green and
brownfield sites. We were first on site
to get on with the job, and at times
it has been really tough. Poor weather
and urgent time schedules to meet our
2RTR commitments have increased
pressures, but our people have shown
a ‘can do’ attitude.
A particularly sensitive operation
in this first year has been the
replacement of an electricity
substation on the banks of the
river Avon close to the Stonehenge
World Heritage site. Oil-filled
equipment with a high potential to
pollute the waterway has been
removed and the building adapted
to reduce its environmental
impact. Brand new electrical
equipment has been tailor-made
to fit inside the existing structure.
MUJV is unique in this Project
as it also has ongoing maintenance
responsibilities for both the new
and also the existing underground
pipe work and cabling. “We have
a fast moving reaction team to deal
with any problems,” says Phil,
“and we are planning detailed
maintenance programmes. Users
of utilities have already seen an
improvement in terms of response
to emergency situations. We aim
to make sure that a breakdown in
the utilities infrastructure doesn’t
inconvenience the soldiers by
putting their buildings out of use.”
With 18 months gone since MUJV
first started work, and another 33
years to go, MUJV looks forward
to working in the Aspire team and
reporting our experiences in
Aspirations on a regular basis.
interesting challenges around
commercial vehicle legal
restrictions and drivers’ hours’
legislation. These have been
resolved by working together
with our customer and we now
deliver an effective service
whilst operating in a safe and
lawful environment.
VT Land provides the transport
services element of the Project
Allenby/Connaught contract.
Operating out of 10 locations in
Aldershot and the Salisbury Plain
Area, including some of the
outlying garrisons such as Bordon
and Aborfield.
The requirement at these sites is mainly
for administrative transport support
from coach journeys to self-drive hire
cars and had been previously provided
under a different contract.
Project Allenby/Connaught added a
new dimension to our operation and
in addition to routine transport support
we also provide drivers to support the
Army’s training activity on the Salisbury
Plain. Initially this presented some
“
Since service delivery
began VT Land have
provided over 25,000
driven tasks and
managed over 38,000
self-drive tasks
for the MoD
20 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
”
Since service delivery began VT
Land have provided over 25,000
driven tasks, managed over
38,000 self-drive tasks for the
MoD, drawing from both White
Fleet assets and short-term hire
providers. In addition the VT
Land Workshops at Aldershot
and Warminster have achieved
an average daily availability to
the customer of over 92% of
the Green Fleet vehicles that
VT Land maintain.
During this past year, VT Land
also successfully gained full
registration for all its operating
locations to the exacting ISO
9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001
(Environmental) standards. These
were both achieved in July, well
in advance of the contractual
deadline of the end of 2007.
Project Allenby/Connaught has
given VT Land a great opportunity
to demonstrate and build on
our proven track record in
transport solutions. Despite the
challenges that the first year
of a major contract of this type
presents, it has been extremely
successful. Nevertheless we
are not complacent and we will
continue to look for ways to
improve the service that we
offer to our customers.
The new junior ranks dining centre
opened on Tidworth Garrison
provides a purpose built HUB!
catering, retail and leisure centre.
Sodexo Defence’s distinctive HUB!
brand is specifically designed to
meet the needs of both service
personnel and the wider defence
community including service
families, civil servants and defence
contractors and aims to bring high
street facilities ‘inside the wire’.
In addition to the main dining room
which serves a full breakfast, lunch
and dinner menu.There is also a Sodexo
HUB! sports bar, a HUB! café bar, a
Londis retail kiosk, internet stations and
Sky TV. These facilities provide modern,
high quality dining and recreational
facilities and bring high street flexibility
and choice to both military personnel
and civilians. Customers can enjoy the
relaxed surroundings and a coffee, play
pool or one of the latest gaming
machines, or simply enjoy a beer from
the fully stocked bar while enjoying Sky
Sport. The HUB! sports bar offers a
great range of value for money deals
such as the ‘hot ‘n’ kickin’ chicken box
or the all day breakfast muffin.
Sodexo has also brought a HUB! work
place diner to the military hanger area
where many soldiers work during the
day. This provides a full HUB! menu
with lots of grab ‘n’ go options for
customers who do not have time to sit
down to enjoy a long lunch. Good food
is available at value for money prices,
such as fresh wraps and hot bacon
baguettes, in addition to a range of retail
packaged goods and confectionary.
The new HUB! facilities are proving
popular with both military and civilian
customers as a place to relax in
comfortable surroundings away from work
with the convenience of the Londis retail
kiosk and internet access. Similar outlets
have already been successfully launched
by Sodexo across the UK including
Catterick Garrison in the north of England
and with the Royal Navy and the Royal
Marines across the south and south
west. HUB! facilities will also be opening
soon in London, Wales, the west midlands
and Cyprus.
The HUB! is already providing a service
to much of the barracks, but more HUB!
outlets will be opening to cater for the
increase in customers as units return from
operational deployments in Afghanistan
and Iraq.
Sodexo Defence is always keen to hear
how the HUB! catering, retail and leisure
facilities can be changed to provide exactly
what customers want and welcomes any
feedback on the range of the food and
drink offered as well as the products that
are available in its Londis outlets.
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 21
focus on…
…focus on
Steve Mayersbeth
Procurement Manager, Aspire Defence Capital Works
The contrast
of the new
and old
accommodation
in Tidworth.
I’ve handled all aspects of the
procurement process but much of the
role is all about planning – how long
do we need to commission work for?
When do we need to place an order?
What is the latest date when we need
the materials or contractor on site?
I work within the procurement team at Aspire House in Aldershot for
ADCW. There are two teams here – ‘firm and fixed’ and ‘competed’.
As procurement manager I am responsible for a team of eight
– we look after buildings that fall into the ‘firm and fixed’ category.
U
nder Project Allenby/ Connaught
we are contractually obliged to
deliver a number of buildings
within a defined budget and timescale
both of which have already been agreed
with the MoD. These are ‘firm and fixed’
building agreements.
Steve Mayersbeth.
In procurement terms, buildings are let
as either single lump sum contracts,
design and build contracts or as trade
packages. Trade package means we
break down what’s needed for the job
into component parts to manage the
tender process.
We produce a procurement strategy,
review the market for potential supply
chain partners then issue enquiries out
to tender. Bid submissions are then
compared and ultimately we negotiate
and sign a contract which is passed to the
construction teams to be administered.
This means that we employ someone
for every part of the construction process
from digging holes and putting concrete
in the foundations, to employing a
bricklayer to build the walls, mechanical
22 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
engineers to install plumbing and
heating and roofers to lay roof tiles!
I have been with Aspire over three and
a half years and it’s the first time I have
worked on a joint venture for my parent
company Carillion. All the team is
seconded from either KBR or Carillion.
Team spirit is very good and having
office space alongside the designers
means we can talk face-to-face to
resolve any issues that arise. It helps
create a good working environment
overall, although when disagreements
happen they are easily ironed out as
we work so closely with each other.
I also work closely with the Services
team as we have to bear in mind that
they will be responsible for ongoing
maintenance which comes out of their
budget. We find solutions in our
procurement choices that satisfy both
organisations’ needs.
This role within Aspire is stimulating
and challenging because of its logistics
– we are providing living or working
accommodation for over 18,700 Army
personnel and being part of that is a
great experience. There is a sequence
to the work which can be a challenge
– moving the soldiers out on time to
temporary accommodation so the old
building can be knocked down and
new built in its place, can throw up
all sorts of issues we have to deal
with. If this changes it has a big
effect on our build programme –
and procurement too.
We all know that the Project is worth
billions of pounds, however when you
break it down across the garrisons,
the ten year construction programme
and then across the individual
component parts, the figure that’s
left isn’t that big for the supply chain.
The duration of the overall Project
provides an opportunity for long term
partnering relationships with the
supply chain.
We have to ensure we get the balance
right – making sure the sub contractors
understand our expectations of them
so when they are working on a
development they are delivering what
we need. It is difficult sometimes
because the Project is so big we have
a range of different views from the
garrisons and individuals.
“
Sometimes personal views have to be
put to one side. What may be good for
one site may not be good for another
so compromises have to be found –
then I have to communicate the
reasons why to the team. And that can
be a bitter pill to swallow as it may not
be the cheapest solution but it is the
best for the business.
In procurement terms, buildings
are let as either single lump sum
contracts, design and build contracts
or as trade packages. Trade package
We have developed good working
relationships with local trades
people and big companies alike.
means we break down what’s needed
for the job into component parts
I have worked in the construction
industry since 1987. I’ve worked
on numerous projects including
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.
to manage the tender process
”
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 23
progress update
progress update
warminster
an update by Andy Fontana, Garrison Facilities Director
Warminster Garrison is located on the western edge of Salisbury
Plain, on the northern side of the small market town, under the
shadow of Battlesbury Hill, an Iron Age fortress used by the Romans
as a staging camp for legions marching from Salisbury to Bath.
Every British Army officer passes
through the garrison at least once
during their careers and many return
on courses and to undertake training
time after time.
Andy Fontana, garrison facilities
director said, “For example to put this
into persepctive, every Lt Colonel
about to command a unit in the Army
will attend a two week preparation
course here on the garrison. Many
of these officers go on to command
units that live within the Project
footprint, so we are very aware that
the impression that people take away
is often shaped by us and our sub
contractors, in particular Sodexo
and VT Land.
They may not use our maintenance
service, but they will soon know if
the food in the mess is not as good
T
he current site was created
in 1938 and is home to
the Land Warfare Centre.
The centre incorporates a wide range
of specialist services to deliver
training and operational support
to enable soldiers to prepare for
operations and as part of this runs
courses which can last from a few
hours or days to a few months for
over 17,000 students each year.
24 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
as it should be or their room isn’t
clean or the transport isn’t on time!”
There are over 450 staff who work
for Aspire, Sodexho or VT Land
on the garrison and in addition
to looking after all the estate,
in a typical week they:
• Make up to 120 beds per day
• Feed over 10,000 soldiers
• Maintain 200 military vehicles
• Issue and repair over 800 weapons
• Prepare 1,000 meals for troops
training on Salisbury Plain
• Deliver in excess of 4,000 letters,
parcels and packages
• Receive around 150 help desk
calls and respond to around 100
requests for maintenance
• Process 175 multimedia requests,
delivering 150,000 publications,
signs, posters and course material.
New beginnings
Construction work at Warminster
Garrison started early in August 2007
some four months ahead of programme
at Battlesbury Barracks. The earth
works were brought forward to make
the best use of the better weather
during late summer and construction
began early in 2008.
As is usual the garrison had a
number of existing services including
CIS, and HV cables which were
discovered prior to work starting
which needed to be diverted before
any earth works could begin.
Initial work, which involved the
excavation and subsequent
placement of 5,000m3 of chalk fill,
created the platform on which the
new dining centre is being built.
Once the earth platform was
complete it was topped off with a
layer of crushed rock sub base which
has allowed construction of the
building foundations to proceed.
Structural steel erection along with
the installation by MUJV of the new
service infrastructure is now
underway. This will support the diner
and other future buildings to be
constructed at Battlesbury Barracks.
Meanwhile Aspire has been developing
the temporary compound and
office facilities.
As Aspirations went to print all was
looking well for a flying start in 2008!
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 25
progress update
progress update
Official
opening
Keith Hutton, Project Director
Secretary of State for
Defence, the Rt Hon. Des
Browne MP and the Chief
of the General Staff, General
Sir Richard Dannatt opens
the new barracks.
Since Keith has been in post over 20
assets have been handed over including:
Tidworth Garrison
The Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Des Browne MP
officially opened the first Army barracks built and completed under
Project Allenby/Connaught in October. Marking the first major project
that our forces deserve and it reflects how
achievement with him was Chief of the
the soldiers want to live now
General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt.
S
oldiers from the 2nd Royal
Tank Regiment (2 RTR) which
recently returned from
Germany moved into new living and
working accommodation at Aliwal
Barracks, Tidworth.
There was much
media interest
in how soldiers
were adjusting
to their new
accommodation.
36 man blocks and eight man houses
have replaced the shared rooms and
washing facilities in old fashioned
Victorian buildings. Soldiers now have
their own bedrooms with en-suite
bathrooms. And each ‘flat’ or house
has a communal lounge, a kitchen
and a laundry room, with separate
individual storage spaces for
each soldier.
The Secretary of State for Defence
Des Browne MP commented on
his tour of the Barracks, “This is the
standard of accommodation that our
forces deserve and it reflects how
the soldiers want to live now. This is
a significant improvement but it’s a
long journey. This is one of the biggest
building projects in the world and
it will eventually provide better
accommodation and facilities for
one in five soldiers.”
The new accommodation took just
73 weeks to build, furnish and
handover into service. It offers 452
single en-suite bed spaces, new mess
facilities, a junior ranks diner,
workshops, storage and a new ‘live
out change’ facility which provides
somewhere for soldiers who live offsite to change their work clothes.
Alongside the living and technical
accommodation there are also a range
of ‘secondary assets’ – such as bin
stores, boot washes, garages, a
football pitch and landscaped areas.
26 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
“
This is the standard of accommodation
There were a number of major
challenges faced by the team at
Tidworth Garrison which needed to
be overcome before the first wave of
accommodation could be delivered.
Firstly, before any construction work
began a range of services and
infrastructure had to be put into place
to accommodate the workforce.
Car parking for 600 vehicles was built
and a dedicated security gate opened
to enable construction workers to
access the site without disruption to
the rest of the garrison. Even a bus
service had to be set up to collect
workers and deliver them to specially
created bus stops close to the
numerous construction areas.
At the peak, over 600 construction
workers were on site daily in order to
complete the construction programme,
all needing security clearance before
they could start work. While work has
been undertaken on site the rest of the
garrison has needed to continue its
everyday activities. This is a particular
challenge as construction work isn’t
clustered in one compact location but
dotted across the garrison in locations
where the Army continue to work
alongside – which on many occasions
has seen diggers and dumper trucks
working alongside tanks and
even horses!
A further challenge has been the
installation of new services such as
drains, gas, water, phone lines and
electricity and because of the wide
construction area the team has had to
ensure that the old buildings nestling
alongside them continue to be able to
use the old systems. This has meant a
great deal of planning and diverting of
those existing services around buildings
across the construction sites.
Close liaison with our supply chain
partner, MUJV has been essential in this.
Keith Hutton is the Project Director for
Tidworth Garrison and took over from
Bob Knott in mid August last year.
Previously Keith worked with Carillion
on the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
”
The project was very different to that on
Tidworth Garrison, he has come from a
very technical project to a project that is
challenging due to its size and logistics.
His first task was to ensure everything
was ready for the official opening.
• Refurbished guard house
• A pub – a new build with a large
central bar and a number of
smaller bars
• Offices and soldiers’ accommodation
• New build JRSLAs, both eight
man houses and 36 man blocks
• New build office accommodation.
In the next six months the key milestones
in Tidworth will be the delivery of the
super diner, and a further six JRSLAs due
to be handed over in early 2008.
Developing a safe working environment
is a crucial aspect of Keith’s job. He
has put various processes in place
and adopted best practice to ensure
Keith Hutton,
project director
and the team who
have continued to
work hard on
delivering the new
facilities at
Tidworth Garrison.
“When we learnt that the Secretary of
State was visiting on 19th October we
made sure the development looked as
tidy as possible. Part of our ethos is to
tidy up as we work – and it is still very
much a working site. A few days before
the visit there was the inevitable last
minute preparations to ensure everything
was presented at its best.”
Now the build for 2 RTR has come
to an end there is a certain relaxation –
it was all hands to the deck to ensure
all the buildings were completed ready
for the soldiers when they returned to
the UK which meant working round
the clock to hit the deadline. The
current workload is still busy however,
with a programme and completion rate
of almost one building a week
throughout 2008.
the workplace meets Aspire’s Safety First
Always standards. Keith says “Given
the amount of people employed on this
project, our safety record is very good
but it needs to improve to make it extra
special. A nil accident rate is the target
we should all aspire to.”
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 27
Larkhill: progress update
progress update: Larkhill
a new home for the
and commissioned eminent sculptor
John Bell to produce the statute to
commemorate his time with the
Regiment. It was even exhibited at the
Royal Academy in 1855 before it was
presented at a dinner in the Mess.
Royal Artillery
The large statue, weighing around two
tonnes was moved by ADSL and proved
to be a good exercise in the use of
cranes, pallet lifters and a temporary
gantry for the contractor MTEC when
they removed it from the Officers Mess
in Woolwich. Once at Larkhill the statue
Over the past year, Aspire Defence Services Ltd has been working
closely with the Royal Artillery over their move from Woolwich
to their new Regimental home at Larkhill Garrison.
A
lthough this sounds simple
enough the Royal Artillery
has been based in Woolwich
since its formation in 1716 and
over the years has accumulated
much regimental heritage which has
all had to be moved.
Just one of 12
ancient cannons
which have been
relocated to
Larkhill Garrison.
As the Regiment’s new home most
of this property has been moved to,
or is due to arrive shortly, at Larkhill
Garrison. Anyone who has had to move
after even a short stay in a house
realises what can be accumulated!
It does not take too much imagination
to visualise the problem that faced the
Royal Artillery after nearly 300 years.
and many paintings. The entire silver
collection includes pieces presented by
King William IV, Emperor Haile Selassie,
Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III
and Her Majesty the Queen.
Their regimental heritage includes 12 ancient and very large cannons, a
massive 190 tonne railway gun, three
large stone memorials, five very large
crystal chandeliers, a marble statue,
a world renowned collection of silver
To house the silver alone a display
and store room complex more or less
the same as that in Woolwich was
required. And ADSL were tasked to design
and build it. The new silver room was
originally a ‘still’ room and cellar
which has recently been refurbished.
Design work started in December 2006
and by September last year the work was
completed on time – and importantly,
to the customer’s satisfaction.
The silver room houses around 75 pieces a small percentage of the entire collection.
Dick Pool who has been the ‘silver man’
for the past seven years has a wealth of
knowledge about the collection and the
Mess paintings.
“The first pieces of silver to be owned by
the Royal Artillery Mess were two snuff
boxes presented in 1800 by Lord Eardley
followed by four bread baskets three years
later. But it wasn’t until 1822 that the
Mess started to purchase items of silver.
28 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
Most notable is the silver Candelabrum,
presented in 1833 to the Regiment by
King William IV ‘in testimony of his
high approbation of their distinguished
services’. It’s an intricate piece standing
around 53inches high and weighing
75Ibs. It takes the form of a palm tree
with 12 branches and was the first
piece of silver to bear the regimental
battle honour ‘Ubique’ which was
granted later that year.”
All the pieces in the collection are
steeped in history with various ‘stories’
attached to them. For example the
statue of St Barbara, which was
presented by Lt Col Richard Owen
(US Army), was liberated from Hitler’s
residence and to this day the Royal
Artillery still celebrate St Barbara Day
in their calendar.
British Army ‘Mess’ or ‘regimental’
silver is a tradition which has been
in existence for over 300 years.
The origins probably stem from the
days when an individual officer often
took his family silver into the field in
order to make life a little more
comfortable for himself and his fellow
officers. In the past it was not
unknown for the regimental silver to
“
Much still needs to be done however there
is every confidence that it will all be in place
for the planned visit of Her Majesty The Queen
in summer 2008 who will officially welcome
the regiment to their new home at Larkhill
go to war with the regiment.
Today however, it forms a part
of the Regiment’s heritage.
The Armed Science statue was presented
to the Royal Artillery during the Crimean War.
”
The pieces themselves vary from
private gifts by an officer to his
regiment on promotion, marriage or
retirement, liberated or commemorative
pieces. Each piece has its own
significance and although on display
is also put to constant use both in
the Mess and elsewhere.
Also situated in the Mess is the Armed
Science statue which was presented to
the Regiment by Lord Waveney, who
commanded the Suffolk Artillery
Militia during the Crimean War.
He had spent a lot of time at Woolwich
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 29
Larkhill: construction update
improving our operation
setting the
The Officers’ Mess houses
five crystal chandeliers
which were presented
to the Regiment by King
William IV. It was no small
task arranging to remove
them from Woolwich,
transporting them without
damage and then installing
them in the new dining
room. Although, the MoD
carried out this part of
the move, ADSL had to
design and provide new
and complex power
connections with a very
sophisticated theatrical
dimming arrangement
so that the chandeliers
would work once in place.
One of the
crystal
chandeliers
presented by
King William IV.
had to be lifted over the top of a
garage, up a flight of steps, and across
the dining room before it finally came
to its resting place on top of the plinth.
The plinth was constructed by
Aspire craftsmen and before it was
sealed in place, a time capsule was
added inside. This now houses
amongst other things, the daily
papers Aspirations, Gunner and
Soldier magazines.
As the previous plinth was in place at
Woolwich for close on 160 years it’s
interesting to think just how long this
one will remain in place.
30 | aspirations | March 2008 | issue 11
“
The first new development at Larkhill
Garrison will be a training building
for the Army’s Watchkeeper project.
Since being added to the list of
requirements by the MoD, work on the
planning and design of the new facility
has proceeded at a pace in order to
allow a start to construction
in January 2008.
Watchkeeper is an unmanned aerial
vehicle based within 32 Regiment,
Royal Artillery, Larkhill. The purpose
built training accommodation is being
delivered to a tight deadline to meet
the In Service Date.
chandeliers which were presented to the
Regiment by King William IV
Much still needs to be done. However
there is every confidence that it will
all be in place for the planned visit
of Her Majesty The Queen in summer
2008 who will officially welcome
the Regiment to their new home
at Larkhill.
in achieving ISO Certification
Aspire, like all good organisations, aims
at achieving consistent ways of working
that produce excellent results and our
management systems have been designed
”
substation will be built to provide the
electrical supply for the new building.
Temporary fencing has been installed
and a site compound and offices were
set up at the end of 2007, ready for
the first demolition and construction
work that began in January.
Investor
in People
A
spire Defence Limited and Aspire
Defence Services Ltd achieved the
Investor in People (IiP) standard.
It was a fairly difficult process, but thanks
to the focus of the various IiP Leads and
Champions at each site we achieved our
goal of full recognition three months ahead
of schedule.
to enable us to achieve this.
In preparation for this early start MUJV
has diverted High Voltage cables from
the building footprint and a new
The Officers’ Mess houses five crystal
Finally there are a number of
alteration works Aspire is currently
carrying out within the Officers Mess
to allow numerous large paintings
from the regimental collection to be
hung.
standard
T
he contract requires that
our management systems
are measured and certified
against two standards: IS09001 –
Quality Management Systems
and ISO14001 – Environmental
Management Systems. Both were
required within 18 months of contract
start-up. Aspire has recently met the
standards and certification has been
awarded by Bureau Veritas
Certification (BVC).
BVC are accredited to register the
management systems of companies
complying with the benchmark
international standards.
“This is a significant achievement for
such a young organisation” Gary
Reed, the Lead Auditor with BVC
commented. “Successful certification
to the three management system
standards within this timescale, for
the size and diversity of the
organisation, across multiple sites, is
not a common occurrence within the
certification industry. What Aspire
have achieved is significant.”
In addition, in recognition of our
Safety First Always value, ADSL
and ADCW also elected to ensure
that out management systems met
and achieved a third standard:
OHSAS 18001
Occupational Health & Safety
Management Systems
The process of achieving this has
been underway for some months.
Assessment audits were undertaken
in June and September with the final
certification audit in November.
The assessment audits were also
completed by BVC over 45 days
across the Aspire Business Centre,
the four garrisons and their
associated construction sites over
the Aldershot and Salisbury
Plain footprint.
Over 160 staff were chosen randomly and
interviewed by the assessor, and it was their
feedback that helped gain our recognition.
The Investor in People standard is only
awarded to companies that can clearly
demonstrate their commitment to meeting
their business objectives through the efforts
and development of their people. This
alignment of why we exist, what we do,
and how we do it is fundamental in any
business. For Aspire, this was clearly
demonstrated to the external assessor
through our development and adoption
of the shared Purpose, Vision and Values
with our client, the MoD.
The assessor made a number of very positive
observations and comments at all locations
visited. Probably one of the most powerful
related to how Aspire has made every effort
to integrate the staff who were TUPE
transferred. He stated “…I have not seen
a culture change so fast.”
Similar to our ISO accreditations, to maintain
our recognition as an Investor in People,
we need to continually improve and be
re-assessed regularly. This is planned to
occur for early in 2009. In essence, IiP is
a journey, not a destination. Keep an eye out
for your local action plans which are being
formulated to keep us moving forward, and
share any good practices that you have with
your colleagues.
issue 11 | March 2008 | aspirations | 31