A preferred bidder has been appointed for South West Scotland's 18 hub participants.

Alliance Community Partnerships, comprising of Equitix Holdings Ltd, Kier Project Investments Ltd, Galliford Try Investments Ltd and John Graham Holdings Ltd will deliver more than £500m of public sector infrastructure projecst.

The Scotland-wide hub programme, managed by the Scottish Futures Trust, is providing high-quality sustainable public buildings for joint occupation by public bodies.

The South West hub covers all areas throughout Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway and Lanarkshire and the infrastructure projects across this territory will be delivered through a joint venture company (hubCo), to be formed between the 18 public sector bodies and Alliance Community Partnerships.

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Work will now start in earnest to further develop a number of outline projects within the £500m investment programme which is to be delivered over the next ten years and includes a range of health, education and regeneration projects. Local employment within the construction industry will be enhanced as the flexibility of the hub supply chain provides many opportunities for local SMEs to become involved in constructing high-quality public buildings in their local areas.

Barry White, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, stated: "The hub programme, valued at over £1.4bn over the next ten years, reflects an innovative approach to deliver efficient community facilities right across Scotland."

Nick Parker, Chief Operating Officer of Equitix representing Alliance Community Partnerships, said: "We look forward to a successful partnership with all the Participants in focussing on delivering much needed projects for local communities and providing opportunities for local companies."

(NE)