Eight Years of Building Better with SCAPE
A BLOG by Rob Cant
Framework Director at Morgan Sindall Construction
Today marks four years since our appointment to SCAPE’s National Construction (NCF) and SCAPE Scotland frameworks – a significant milestone in our ongoing, eight-year journey with SCAPE. Over this time, we’ve handed over 75 projects, and we continue to deliver with a further 123 projects totalling c.£800m currently on site or in pre-construction across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Our partnership with SCAPE — one of the leading public sector procurement providers — has been one of growth, innovation, and shared achievement. As one of SCAPE’s trusted delivery partners, we have actively supported their Gold Standard verification, ensuring their frameworks meet and sustain the highest standards of performance, value, and social impact for public sector clients across the UK.
Discover how our success on the Regional framework paved the way for our National appointment
A Proven Partnership
Our appointment to SCAPE’s National Construction Framework (NCF) and SCAPE Scotland National Construction Framework in 2021 was built on a proven track record on the Regional Construction Framework (RCG). Over four years on the RCF — plus eight years on the earlier East Midlands Property Alliance (empa) framework before that — we consistently delivered high-quality outcomes. In total, we’ve completed £320m worth of projects, all delivered on time, within budget, and with an average client satisfaction score of 9.3/10.
Our work spans a rich variety of sectors across the UK – from education, defence and healthcare to civic, heritage, and office development. Projects range scale from £100k to our largest scheme currently on site - Ardrossan Campus which is valued at £103m - reflecting our experience and agility. From schools and healthcare facilities to civic regeneration and defence projects, we take pride in creating spaces that matter to people and communities nationwide.
Recognition has followed. Securing upward of 30 awards and commendations which highlight both the quality and the collaborative spirit that underpins our project delivery. From Ravensdale Primary School in Derbyshire, to the regeneration of Plymouth’s Old Town Street and New George Street, our partnership with SCAPE has been consistently high performing.
Community at the Heart
Every SCAPE project is designed to make a difference beyond the build. Collectively, projects procured through RCF and NCF have generated £145m in social value. That includes:
- 2,925 apprenticeship weeks
- 1,250 school engagement hours
- 1,400 volunteering hours
These initiatives are about more than numbers. They open doors for young people, offer hands-on site experience, and help new talent begin careers across our supply chain.
We’ve also focused on strengthening local economies: an average of 65% spend has gone to local employment, and 59% of supply chain spend has supported local businesses, particularly SMEs. In doing so, we’ve not only delivered buildings but also created opportunities within the very communities that use them.
Building community with SCAPE
This commitment was demonstrated in our refurbishment of Inverness Fire Station, where 87% of labour spend and 85% of supply chain spend were invested locally – placing the community at the heart of delivery, ensuring the project directly benefited those it was built to serve, and leaving a legacy beyond the building itself. All outcomes we strive to achieve throughout every project.
Driving Sustainability
Sustainability is central to SCAPE’s National Construction Framework, and it’s a commitment we share. Through initiatives like our 10 Tonne Challenge, which encourages teams to reduce carbon emissions by at least 10 tonnes per project beyond initial design assumptions , we’ve saved an additional 6,500 tonnes of carbon on our projects – the equivalent to heating 2,400 homes for a year.
This focus on intelligent, sustainable solutions ensures we leave a lasting positive legacy, not just through the buildings themselves, but also in the way they are delivered.
Delivering Value Together
Our partnership has also extended across the Morgan Sindall Group, working closely with our sister fit-out company Overbury and partnership housing specialist Lovell. Together, we have either completed or are progressing 27 projects totalling c.£90m through SCAPE. Additionally, we have collaborated with SCAPE Group companies, Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE and Lungfish Architects, to deliver over 20 innovative projects totalling in excess of £200m, always looking to utilise modern methods of construction and intelligent solutions to meet our clients’ needs.
Looking ahead, the introduction of the Procurement Act in February 2025 has placed even greater emphasis on efficiency, innovation, and community impact. Through early contractor involvement, we’re already helping clients address potential challenges before construction begins, ensuring exceptional value for money and avoiding costly delays.
Pictured left: Nottingham Central Library, delivered in partnership with Overbury
More completed projects
Looking Forward
Being part of SCAPE’s journey has been a privilege. Our partnership is built on trust, collaboration, and a shared mission – to deliver meaningful outcomes for clients, communities, and future generations.
Together with SCAPE Group companies like Arc Partnership and Lungfish Architects, we’ve created places where people live, learn, work, play, care, and protect. SCAPE’s Gold Standard verification and Charter for Change set a benchmark for responsible business, and we’re proud to have grown alongside it.
As we celebrate the last eight years, we’re equally excited for what’s next – and how we can continue to shape communities, deliver value, and build a sustainable legacy across the UK.
Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, added:
Our strong and successful partnership with Morgan Sindall over the past eight years has consistently placed communities, social value, and sustainability at the heart of every project. With £145m in social value delivered and 6,500 tonnes of carbon saved, the results speak for themselves and are ones we’re incredibly proud of. With several SCAPE and Morgan Sindall projects in construction stages, these numbers will only increase as we continue to work together to drive real value and community impact.”
ENDS