Arcadis has been named as Bristol City Council’s new strategic partner to aid the delivery of new infrastructure, homes and regeneration across the city.

Last week, Arcadis was awarded the contract by the council and will join the local authority in a new long-term capital strategic partnership, accelerating the delivery of a range of infrastructure and building projects and creating new jobs across the city.

Supported by Arup and Mott MacDonald, Arcadis will support the council as it carries out work across the city of Bristol to meet the city-wide ambitions of the One City Plan. Launched in January 2019, the One City Plan sets out Bristol’s ambitions by 2050 and how city partners will work together to make Bristol a better place for all to live.

As part of the new partnership, Arcadis together with Arup and Mott MacDonald will provide a full range of benefits including:

• Generating more jobs through local employment
• Flexible additional capacity to enable the provision of all resources necessary to deliver quality outcomes; 
• Supporting and enabling innovation whilst offering an appropriate balance and management of project risk; 
• Helping to develop council internal processes / procedures 
• Growing internal competency and support culture change through two-way knowledge transfer and upskilling of the council in-house team
• Drive social value initiatives within the city, including assisting the growth of businesses.

Councillor Craig Cheney, deputy mayor and cabinet member for finance, governance and performance said: “Bristol is a growing, attractive city for investment, but we know this comes with challenges. As we navigate the city through the crisis, it is vital we work together and collaboratively to make sure our city’s values are at the heart of the recovery. 

“Our new relationship with Arcadis, supported by Arup and Mott MacDonald, means we can leverage the council’s capacity and expertise to better develop infrastructure plans, build homes and deliver for Bristol. With the help of three global professional leaders sharing our ambition, we will grow a healthier, inclusive and more sustainable city. 

“We look forward to working together in this partnership, continuing our city and economy’s renewal and recovery through to the other side of the pandemic; to deliver a better Bristol for all residents, businesses and visitors.”

Richard Bonner, UK commercial and operations director at Arcadis, said: “As residents of the city over the past 20 years, this is an exciting opportunity to provide Bristol City Council with additional capacity, capability and global expertise to meet ambitions for the city. We are confident that this long-term partnership will not only inject pace into the delivering the ambitions of the One City Plan but will also catalyse the city’s economic recovery post-Covid. 

“Together with Arup and Mott MacDonald, will provide world class people, processes, knowledge to supplement existing teams, supporting Bristol City Council in becoming a more efficient organisation as the partnership evolves.”

Austin Smith, Arup Bristol office leader, said: “It’s a real privilege to be given this opportunity to support Bristol City Council in achieving its ambition for the city. This partnership builds on our long history in Bristol, during which time we’ve delivered over 1200 projects in the city.

“Working with Arcadis and Mott MacDonald, we will help Bristol to realise the One City Plan, bringing a range of experience and skills, including across sustainable development, social value, climate resilience, urban regeneration and inclusive growth. Ultimately, we are looking forward to helping shape a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable city for generations of Bristolians to come.”

Richard Marriott, head of built environment for advisory, Mott MacDonald said: “We are truly excited to have this opportunity to partner with Arcadis and Arup to support Bristol City Council to deliver the aspirational vision for the city. This partnership will give us the opportunity to positively influence and enable the creation of high-quality places and spaces, that will promote inclusive growth and deliver great social outcomes to improve the communities in which we live and work”.