The preferred bidder for the £80 million Inverclyde Schools PPP project has been announced as e4i (Education for Inverclyde) – a consortium comprising Miller Construction, Cyril Sweett, Land Securities Trillium and FES.

The companies behind e4i are delighted with Inverclyde Council's decision and look forward to providing first-rate schools designed for 21st century learning.

Under the contract e4i will design, construct, finance and operate four new schools in Inverclyde comprising two secondary schools and two primary schools.

Phil McVey, PPP Unit, Miller Construction, said: "The appointment of e4i as preferred bidder is fantastic news and reflects the hard work which went into developing the exciting proposals for these schools."

Dean Webster, Chief Executive Office, Cyril Sweett, said: "Education is a key growth sector for Cyril Sweett. In partnership with Inverclyde Council, the consortium has developed state-of-the-art proposals that will create an impressive educational legacy."

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Ian Ellis, Chief Executive, Land Securities Trillium, said: "The opportunity to continue working with Inverclyde Council is one we value enormously, and we are now focused on ensuring the partnership is tailored to Inverclyde's specific educational needs."

Duncan Fletcher, Managing Director of FES, said: "We have had a presence in Scotland for over 40 years and been involved in many schools projects over this period - indeed we have enjoyed successful partnerships with Miller Construction in the past. This latest announcement from Inverclyde Council is testament to the quality of service we provide. We look forward to being involved in the construction phase of this exciting new project and to providing facilities management and life cycle services at the school for the next 30 years."

Stephen McCabe, Leader and Education Convener of Inverclyde Council, stressed the Council's commitment to education and the provision of modern, state-of-the-art facilities, and said the PPP programme would make this a reality.

Financial close is scheduled for August 2008. Construction of the primary schools is expected to start in September with completion expected in early 2010. Work will commence on the secondary schools in late 2009, with completion expected in summer 2011.

(GK/JM)