Case Studies
Selection of Projects recently worked on
Commercial recovery on a Live FM
Contract
Sector: Facilities Management
Role: Commercial Lead / Advisor
Contract Value: £Xm (confidential)
The Challenge
A long-running FM contract was experiencing sustained margin erosion caused by informal scope growth, inconsistent instruction control, and historic under-recovery of cost. The delivery team lacked a clear view of entitlement and exposure, creating financial and contractual risk.
My Role & Approach
I undertook a full commercial review of the live contract, reconstructing entitlement from contract terms, change history, and contemporaneous records. I implemented a structured recovery strategy, aligned operational delivery with commercial governance, and reset internal processes for managing variations and compensation events.
The Outcome
- Over £130,000 recovered through agreed commercial mechanisms
- Residual exposure reduced to a minimal final account balance
- Improved commercial controls embedded within the delivery team
Value Delivered
- Commercial recovery
- Contract interpretation
- FM expertise Stakeholder alignment
Dispute Avoidance on a High-Risk Project
Sector: Construction / Secure Environment
Role: Commercial Advisor
Contract Form: NEC (confidential)
The Challenge
A complex construction project faced escalating tension between client and contractor due to access constraints, late information, and programme disruption. Positions were becoming adversarial, with formal dispute proceedings under consideration.
My Role & Approach
I led an early-stage dispute avoidance strategy, reframing the issues into clear contractual events rather than fault-based arguments. I developed a robust entitlement narrative supported by records and advised senior stakeholders on negotiation strategy, tone, and sequencing.
The Outcome
Formal dispute avoided- Time and cost impacts agreed without adjudication
- Working relationships preserved on a sensitive live project
Value Delivered
- Dispute avoidance
- NEC expertise
- Strategic negotiation
- Risk management
Commercial Turnaround of an Underperforming Project
Sector: Construction
Role: Senior Commercial Lead
Project Value: £Xm (confidential)
The Challenge
A live construction project was forecast to complete at a significant loss due to weak cost control, poorly managed subcontract risk, and ineffective change management.
My Role & Approach
I re-baselined the project’s commercial position, challenged forecasts, and restructured risk allowances. Key subcontract positions were renegotiated, governance around change and delay was tightened, and delivery and commercial teams were brought into alignment.
The Outcome
- Forecast loss materially reduced
- Clear and defensible final account position achieved
- Improved commercial discipline left in place for future projects
Value Delivered
- Cost control
- Supply-chain management
- Commercial leadership
- Governance
Strategic Commercial Support on a Major FM Bid
Sector: Facilities Management
Role: Commercial & Bid Advisor
Client: Confidential Tier 1 / Tier 2 Organisation
Contract Value: £XXm (confidential)
The Challenge
A client was preparing a bid for a large, complex FM contract with significant commercial risk. Key challenges included TUPE exposure, lifecycle cost assumptions, performance deductions, and contract terms that transferred disproportionate risk to the service provider. There was concern that the bid price did not fully reflect delivery reality.
My Role & Approach
I provided strategic commercial support to the bid team, reviewing pricing assumptions, risk allowances, and contractual exposure. I worked closely with operational stakeholders to align cost models with real-world delivery and developed clear risk mitigation strategies to support both bid submission and post-award negotiations.
The Outcome
- Bid submitted with a clear, defensible commercial position
- Improved alignment between bid price and operational delivery
- Client entered negotiations with confidence and clarity
Value Delivered
- Bid strategy
- FM commercial expertise
- Risk assessment
- Client advisory