Foreign and Commonwealth Office framework

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had a number of important projects to update in the early part of the millennium. Key objectives were to combine sustainability with the best of UK design in safe and secure facilities designed to meet local requirements as well as UK codes. Mace was selected as the strategic partner to the FCO for an initial three-year framework agreement at the end of 2005 on the basis of its supportive and flexible approach and willingness to work with the FCO in some of the world’s most challenging locations. Due to the delivery of several successful projects, the initial framework agreement was extended twice to the maximum of five years.

Through a core team based in London, 30 project managers on the ground in various international locations, and a supply chain comprising more than 50 companies including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and local construction specialists, Mace has been a key component in the delivery of the FCO’s major construction projects. The first project, the embassy to the Philippines in Manilla, was delivered in 2008 and set an excellent benchmark by being completed on programme and £1m under budget. Over the last few years, a consistent focus on the client’s needs, and strong integration between the Mace team and the client has helped Mace become the “go-to” company for major FCO property projects around the world, including the UK Pavilion or "Seed Cathedral" at the Shanghai Expo 2010.