Kier FM wins Opera House deal

Kier has been awarded what is described as a ‘substantial’ contract to provide hard and soft facilities management services for the Royal Opera House. Kier Facilities Management will look after the Royal Opera House theatre in London’s Covent Garden as well as the Aberdare Scenery Store in Wales and the Bob and Tamar Manoukian Production Workshop & Costume Centre in Essex.

The five-year contract includes technical repair and maintenance, cleaning, security, porterage and site management. The client has chosen not to disclose how much it is spending on the contract.

This award comes only a few weeks after Kier Facilities Management was chosen by University College London (UCL) to deliver hard and soft services at several locations across the capital.

Kier FM managing director Steve Davies said: “I’m delighted that we have been chosen to partner with such an important client, and support the operation of one of London’s most valuable landmark buildings. In addition to delivering a seamless day to day service, we will be working with the client to ensure a smooth TUPE transfer, optimise operational performance and generate efficiencies, in order that maximum investment can be made in this important site.

Royal Opera House finance director Mindy Kilby said: “We went through an extensive procurement process in order to select the organisation that we felt really understood our unique proposition.  We are custodians of a landmark building, a not-for-profit organisation and this is the single largest contract that we will let.  It was therefore critical that we find a partner that could provide us with best value whilst delivering an intuitive and effective service in balance with commercially astute insights.

“We are delighted to be working with Kier and are excited about the future we envisage for the Royal Opera House. Having recently secured planning consent, our ‘Open Up’ programme will significantly enhance the experience of coming to the ROH for the public, artists and guest companies; will create new opportunities to inspire audiences with our art forms; and will help this wonderful place come alive throughout the day as one of London’s great cultural assets.”