GVA/Jacobs win Manchester council remit

  GVA Grimley and US-based outsourcing specialist Jacobs have been appointed by Manchester city council to manage its non-operational property portfolio.   The deal represents a new departure for the council, which has previously managed the portfolio through its in-house corporate property team.   The contract will last for five years with an optional two-year extension and will see 28 former council staff transfer to Jacobs.   GVA already advises the council and bid jointly for the contract with Jacobs, formerly known as Jacobs Babtie in the UK.   It will provide advice on leases and disposals, valuations, rent reviews, CPOs, rating and land surveying.   The council’s non-operational estate includes vacant landholdings, industrial and office buildings occupied by third parties and properties bought for CPOs.   Allyn Taylor, vice-president of Jacobs Group, said the agreement would bring “value for money, access to private sector expertise and wider opportunities for staff development”.   Jacobs already manages outsourced property, engineering and other services for county councils including Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent and North Yorkshire.   The value of the Manchester contract is undisclosed but is described as “sizeable” because of the number of staff involved. david.quinn@rbi.co.uk