On 15 October, it was an absolute pleasure and privilege for P2P Sector Services to be invited as guest speaker at the PFI Handback Roundtable forum hosted by James Fitzpatrick and his team at Boden Group at 110 Bishopsgate, London.
The session was to collaboratively discuss PFI Handback amongst a number of senior leaders representing different organisations within the FM Sector. 

My brief as guest speaker was to present and give my industry knowledge on three key topics of discussion considering what data is available now, some example projects currently in or concluded Handback, and how to prepare early for future success. The three key topics being:

1.     Navigating Risk
2.     Compliance
3.     Workforce & resourcing

This overview opened up the floor to an amazing roundtable discussion which kept circling back to the guidance issued by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA – formerly IPA), and some of the challenges experienced by all parties in the vertical interface agreements in the Handback process, not just the representatives around the table. Key in depth discussion points were around the importance of:

• The critical foundation of the process being relationships of all stakeholders in the vertical interface agreements, early in the process
• Knowing the contract. Not just the documented contractual clauses but also the intention and mechanics of how the contract is delivered
• Agreed scope between all parties, early in the process, particularly on asset data, surveys, condition and lifecycle criteria 
• Resource requirements. The Handback process is quite complex and should not be underestimated in terms of the commitment required by all parties. Equally so, it is also understandable that after many years of a managed service that the Contracting Authority will also be seeking answers to many, many questions to help determine how assets will be maintained and managed post PFI. Again, circling back to the guidance from NISTA of the 7+ years of early planning before end of concession
• Potential retention and TUPE risks and complications
• Compliance and associated evidence. Circling back to the contract and early agreed scope of requirements between parties
• Agreed scope for items such as As-built drawings, plans, O&Ms, strategies….
• Scope for single point data sharing including requirements and also the management and security of what may also contain commercial and personal sensitive information
• The ever-changing landscape of personnel changes within all parties of the vertical interface agreements, with potential associated knowledge loss and risks

The session was both thought provoking and revealing on how different organisations and organisational leaders are facing the same common challenges during handback and potentially during handover and beyond. There was also equal recognition of the challenges facing the Authority in terms of what the future looks like, the management, the resources required and financial planning post PFI.

My thanks to Boden Group for recognising the value of bringing different organisations collaboratively together from across the FM sector.

As our name suggests, whether public or private sector, we are here with expertise, guidance and support to help with Handback or other facilities management support your organisation requires.

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