Working in a dynamic environment

In February 2003 the Interserve subsidiary Landmarc Support Services won one of the largest outsourcing contracts ever awarded by the MoD. It was also one of the largest Public Private Partnerships to have been signed at the time.

The Defence Training Estate (DTE) , previously the Army Training Estate, comprises some 130 training areas and ranges in England, Scotland and Wales and covers approximately 1 per cent of the British land mass. It is used by the armed forces to train soldiers and give them experience in a wide variety of terrains under diverse operational conditions. Having brought the management of all this land together for the first time, the MoD recognised that the skills required to control a large, complex landholding are different from those of running modern armed forces. It therefore undertook an extensive competition to find a long-term strategic partner to assist in the management and running of the DTE.

Landmarc's selection for the £600 million contract was the result of a number of factors including Interserve's experience in working at a strategic level with the MoD for many years, giving it a solid understanding of the requirements of the modern military environment. The company also had a proven track record of handling TUPE transfers effectively in many other public-sector contracts and maintains a philosophy of obtaining the best from its staff by investing in training and development.

The DTE contract mobilised in April 2003. The services Landmarc provides include almost all support activities not directly related to the training itself. It runs the built estate, camps and accommodation, the rural training areas and training ranges and a booking and management information system. It also provides support to Defence Estates on environmental and other issues. In addition to the initial 10 years of the contract Landmarc will be eligible for a five-year extension if it maintains the successful performance delivered so far.

 Go to Case studies