Brighton College, one of the UK’s leading independent boarding schools, partnered with Procured, Foodbuy Group’s procurement division for the education sector, to run a competitive tender for its hard facilities management (FM) services.
Operating within a complex educational setting, the College required a specialist provider with the expertise to meet safeguarding standards, adhere to strict security protocols, and deliver reliable 24/7 maintenance support.
“Our experience working with Procured throughout the tender process has been extremely positive. We were supported at every stage with clear guidance and sector expertise. The process was thorough and professionally managed, giving us confidence in both the approach and the final outcome.”
Belinda Forsythe, Director of Operations, Brighton College
Brighton College needed a facilities management partner capable of delivering a consistent and responsive service across a diverse and complex estate.
The scope included:
- Planned preventative maintenance (PPM)
- Reactive maintenance services
- 24/7 emergency call-out support
- Statutory compliance across critical infrastructure
Alongside improving service delivery and communication, the College aimed to drive greater efficiency and achieve stronger commercial outcomes. Procured led a full end-to-end tender process, managing supplier engagement, evaluation, and mobilisation support to ensure a smooth transition into service delivery. Potential suppliers were assessed against key criteria including operational capability, relevant sector experience, service quality, cultural alignment, and overall value. This structured approach ensured a well-informed and robust decision-making process.
“The tender process was highly structured, with a clear focus on transparency and attention to detail. All key considerations were thoroughly explored, giving us confidence in the decision made. We are already seeing clear benefits, from cost savings to improved service delivery.”
Belinda Forsythe, Director of Operations, Brighton College
The appointed supplier achieved a 50% reduction in costs while significantly improving service responsiveness, communication, and operational performance.
Key Results
- Delivered 50% cost savings
- Stronger service responsiveness and clearer communication
- Introduction of technology-driven operational improvements
- Enhanced out-of-hours maintenance support
- Long-term value through training and upskilling on-site teams
A strong local supplier presence was retained, complemented by the introduction of technology-led solutions to enhance visibility and efficiency across the estate. In addition, a focus on training and development has supported on-site teams, helping to build internal capability, reduce long-term costs, and create a more sustainable facilities management model aligned with the College’s future needs.
Contact our education procurement division, Procured, to see how we can support your procurement needs: ProcurED@foodbuy.co.uk
