Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has been recognised for its collaborative working practices through the award of certification to the new standard for Collaborative Business Relationships by the British Standard Institute.

The standard, called BS11000, which is internationally recognised, acknowledges the importance of collaboration in enhancing sustainable relationships, company competitiveness and performance.

Andrew McNaughton, COO of Balfour Beatty, commented: "Balfour Beatty has vast experience of alliances, partnering, integrating teams and collaborative working across the majority of our business relationships, and this is instrumental to our success.


"This standard gives us the structured strategic framework to use across the Group to further develop our collaborative relationships and drive best practice. We look forward to working with our customers and supply chain to create value and build sustainable relationships to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

Five projects, involving key strategic clients from across the Balfour Beatty Group were assessed to attain the award;

1. Crossrail South East Section Project with Network Rail

2. Finsbury Park to Alexander Palace Capacity Improvement Works with Network Rail

3. North West Gas Alliance with National Grid

4. Electricity Alliance East with National Grid

5. Terminal 2B at London Heathrow with BAA

In the utilities sector our National Grid alliances are based on co-location, open relationship management and shared best practice, resources and goals & objectives. Providing evidence of partnership working is now becoming a pre-requisite for winning work in the sector.

In the rail sector we worked closely with Network Rail, through collaborative workshops, to develop a common understanding and approach to BS11000 on both Crossrail South East Section Project and Alexandra Palace to Finsbury Park Capacity Improvement Works and successfully supported each other through the BSI audit process.

(CD)