Building better futures - 20 years of impact with SCAPE

Marie Burton, National Framework Manager at Willmott Dixon, shares her perspective on the company’s almost 20-year relationship with SCAPE. She highlights the past year’s achievements, the projects making a difference and the impact being delivered in communities across the UK.

As we step into our 20th year of working with SCAPE, it’s a moment of both reflection and celebration. Over the past two decades, we’ve delivered countless projects that have transformed communities and shaped lives, as well as adapting together to an ever-evolving industry. From navigating economic recessions, to responding to the challenges of Covid-19, we have continuously learned and evolved.

For me, personally, this milestone is particularly special. I’ve been with Willmott Dixon since 2019 as a preconstruction manager before transitioning into my current role. Both this role and my previous experience in a local authority have given me valuable insight into the lasting impact we have. It’s not just about delivering high-quality buildings, but about creating a meaningful legacy through social value, sustainability and community engagement.

Highlights from the past year

As we look back on the past year, it's important to reflect not just on the buildings we've delivered, but on the positive social impact and meaningful change we've created through SCAPE-procured projects. Behind every statistic is a story of transformation and positive change in communities.

For example, part of the tailored social value plan we created for our customer - Royal Sussex County Hospital - focused on one of their key priorities - supporting staff wellbeing. We facilitated mental health and wellbeing sessions for the 126-strong NHS team, in partnership with the Zen Project, a social enterprise that delivers mental health and wellbeing support.

Another key focus was on creating employment opportunities. A range of initiatives led to eight individuals securing sustainable work, alongside 32 employability programmes that were designed to enhance skills and provide lasting career prospects. Additionally, through initiatives like the T-level placement at Queens Drive, we’ve provided 56 weeks of work experience, offering young people valuable career insights and hands-on experience in the built environment.

The success of our projects last year with SCAPE reflects our commitment to their local economies:

  • 49% of our spend went to local businesses within 20 miles of the sites
  • 91% of our supply chain partners were SMEs
  • 59% of the workforce was from within 20 miles of the sites

Key projects from the past year

We've achieved significant milestones in our partnership with SCAPE over the past year, completing and initiating projects that serve communities and enhance public infrastructure. Notably, some of those we completed include:

New projects that started on site in the past year include:

Ongoing projects include the £55m Hertfordshire Constabulary HQ, which is modernising facilities for law enforcement while focusing on reducing embodied carbon in policing infrastructure, making a significant contribution to the fight against climate change.

Looking forward

As we mark our 20th year, it’s the ideal time to look back on the positive impact we’ve had together while also looking ahead. The industry is evolving rapidly, bringing new challenges and opportunities. Sustainability, building safety and community engagement remain central to our work, alongside significant changes in procurement as we see how the Procurement Act 2023 takes shape. Through our ongoing partnership with SCAPE, we’re committed to building on what we’ve accomplished and continuing to push the boundaries of what we can achieve.

In the short time I’ve been part of this journey, it’s been clear just how much expertise and commitment goes into each project. I’m looking forward to what’s next and seeing how we continue to make a difference in the years to come.

It’s exciting what lies ahead! Here’s to the next 20 years of progress and impact!

Want to talk about how frameworks can support your projects?

Whether you need help unlocking a new project through feasibility or funding or want to discuss a project and understand more about framework options, get in touch with Marie Burton.