HS2 and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) have signed a partnership agreement committing to work together to improve delivery practices and drive better performance by engaging the civil engineering supply chain on the project. 

The delivery of HS2 will create thousands of supply chain contract opportunities in the civil engineering sector over the next ten years – and the new partnership agreement celebrates the long-term relationship between the two organisations, which began nearly a decade ago.

The agreement will also ensure forward visibility of investment for CECA members and help identify early stage opportunities to improve safety, customer service, and supply chain engagement. It also intends to help mitigate the risks and challenges to the sector in the construction of HS2.

CECA chief executive Alasdair Reisner said: “CECA is delighted to have strengthened the close working relationship we have with HS2, enabling us to continue to work well together to ensure this world class infrastructure project is delivered as efficiently and innovatively as possible. We especially welcome HS2’s commitment to supporting the SME supply chain, and look forward to understanding the upcoming opportunities for smaller businesses and how our members can prepare for them.”

Andrew Cubitt, HS2’s procurement and supply chain director, said: “HS2 has worked closely with CECA for a number of years and I am pleased that we have formalised and strengthened this important relationship. HS2 will need businesses large and small with a wide range of expertise to work with us to deliver this long term, complex project. This partnership with CECA helps us to work effectively with the civil engineering sector, and SMEs within it, to support them to win work on HS2, and help us benefit from their expertise.”

HS2 Ltd has already awarded around £18bn worth of contracts directly and a significant proportion of this value is expected to flow out to the wider supply chain. By the end of 2022, it’s estimated this figure will reach around £25bn. Over 2,000 businesses have already won work on the project, 70% of which are SMEs.