Defence
Expertise in defence infrastructure
We're delivering mission-critical construction services for the forces that protect our nation
Defence spending and the continual drive to improve the UK’s defence infrastructure has become of huge importance, particularly in the face of geopolitical instability. In the 2023/24 financial year, £56.9bn was spent in defence (+0.3% higher than the 2% GDP NATO commitment). By 2027, the UK government has pledged to increase defence spending from 2.33% of GDP to 2.5% and 3% by the next parliament.
Morgan Sindall Construction has experience delivering defence sector construction projects in highly regulated, high-security environments in partnership with our framework partners and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) DEO (Defence Estate Optimisation) portfolio. Whether it’s a large-scale capital scheme, a multi-million pound complex new building or a fast-tracked refurbishment to achieve net zero carbon, our business is built around serving the defence sector.
We undertake work in civilian sectors too that offer transferable experience, delivering training and education facilities, community-based leisure and health amenities and comfortable residential spaces too – all with the same challenges of being on time, to budget and achieve our customers goals of being sustainable and fit for the future.
Morgan Sindall Construction’s defence sector experience, combined with the technical expertise in infrastructure, partnership housing and fit out from our Morgan Sindall Group sister companies – Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Lovell, BakerHicks and Overbury means that as a combined force we’re equipped to deliver the design and build of facilities that will serve our Armed Forces for years to come.
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Get in touchKey learnings from the defence sector
Keeping vital defence capability protected and progressing means that often our construction projects cannot be shared as part of a traditional case study. However, here are some of the key considerations we’ve approached as part of our defence portfolio.
Working in a high-security environment
Morgan Sindall Construction is certified to ISO standards in quality, health, safety and environmental, business continuity and anti-bribery management, (9001/14001/45001/22301/37001) and Cyber Essentials Plus, which provides high-level assurance to our defence sector clients of their security concerns or challenges.
- Morgan Sindall Construction have their own dedicated in-house head of security
- We work closely with one of our sister companies, multi-discipline design and engineering consultancy, BakerHicks to ensure we have additionally cleared personnel for all our projects.
- A single point of contact is appointed on every scheme with clearly defined processes that align to the JSP (Joint Service Publication), MAA (Military Aviation Authority) and DIO (Defence Infrastructure Organisation) bulletin requirements and timescales
- Two-week look ahead delivery schedules are developed on our projects which has taken the burden of logistics from the gatehouse
- Robust and controlled processes ensure smoother collaboration for all stakeholders, including addressing interoperability issues that can occur when seeking compatibility with NATO and allied forces procedures.
Delivering value for money
As defence construction projects increase in size and complexity so does the pressure to prioritise the use of public spending. The balance of driving value for money whilst still building a world-class military provision that meets technical and operational compliance has never been under such considerable scrutiny.
Lowest price solutions can lead to operational issues in service, which is why we dedicate a significant amount of time to early engagement with the relevant project stakeholders to ensure success.
Early engagement with commissioning authorities, clients and frontline/end user personnel means that we can establish needs such as current facility utilisation, running costs and technological integration, and build into this the need for future flexibility of the asset so that budget efficiency can be maximised.
Ensuring technical compliance
Our supply chain is an extension of our own business, helping us to deliver projects on time and on budget. We recognise their performance, support and engagement are critical to our continued success and so create a culture that makes us a ‘customer of choice’ for suppliers across the UK.
- Pay our suppliers on average within 25 days (against an industry average of 35 days, BuildUK)
- Undertake pre-approval of our supply chain including those cleared for defence sector projects, ensuring we have resources to deploy quickly
- Host regional Meet the Buyer and Getting Connected events across the country to engage with existing and new suppliers in our local communities, particularly seeking innovative solutions for the defence sector
- Create an open and honest culture with our suppliers to mitigate vulnerabilities in the supply chain that might impact critical resources, equipment or materials
- Offer a positive experience for those working on our sites as part of our workforce, including healthcare checks, access to our employee support services and team building awareness events or recognition events such as our regional and national supply chain awards
Integrating digital technology
Digital tools are used to improve collaboration with all stakeholders, verify the design with the brief and validate construction in line with the design. Digital records ensure a golden thread of information commences at project inception and is taken through to handover providing clients with a comprehensive record of the asset in the future.
- Creation of a secure common data environment for collaborative working
- Experience of working within the DIO BIM requirements and working to ISO 19650 accreditation standards
- Enabling virtual design reviews utilsing technology such as 3D models, VR/AR technology and 4D logistics plans linked to programmes
- Creation of a golden thread of information of your asset from project inception through to building operation
- Using digital tools to support our customers to make evidence-based decisions as to the most effective routes to decarbonise their defence estates. Reviewing decisions such as the choice to build new or to refurbish and the selection of regenerative or low carbon materials or processes.
Supporting Armed Forces personnel and their families
The combination of a military mindset, with values such as commitment, discipline, courage, respect and integrity at its core, are fundamental to the success of a construction project. Which is why we actively seek ways to recruit service leavers and their families into our business or supply chain.
- We're accredited to the Silver standard of the Armed Forces Covenant, for us it’s a promise to supporting the people and their families who have protected us
- As part of our drive to achieve Gold status we provide 10-additional days annual leave for our employees serving in the Reserves for mobilisation or training purposes
- We are one of the founding partners of Buildforce, an organisation dedicated to supporting service leavers and the veteran community transition to a career in the construction industry through work experience placements, qualifications and long-term employment opportunities
- Delivering defence projects has given our teams an appreciation of the uniqueness of military life and the demands for operational personnel and their families. Our regional social value strategies identify the local suppliers and community groups to support these long-term needs.