Lovell has been appointed by Wandle Housing Association to provide repairs services for its stock of around 6,000 homes across South London.

Lovell was selected from seven suppliers competing for the new two-year contract. The deal, which starts in April 2013, is worth £14 million in total turnover and was awarded through a competitive tendering process.

Wandle aims to deliver a responsive and flexible repairs service that meets residents’ needs. The Lovell team will refurbish void properties for Wandle as well as handling day-to-day repairs and major works, and delivering a 24-hour, reactive repairs service across all of its stock. Wandle owns and manages homes in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth, Croydon, Lewisham, Merton, Kingston, Sutton and Bromley.

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A key element to Wandle's procurement of goods and services is the added value its partners contribute to its social value and local communities.

As part of its commitment to creating lasting benefits for local communities, Lovell will provide three trade apprenticeships through the repairs and maintenance programme. The contract will also create other local jobs with Lovell set to recruit local operatives and office staff to work as part of its team.

Gary Bellenger, Head of Asset Investment at Wandle, said: "With residents' input we ensured we understood exactly what they would like out of the repairs and maintenance service, reflecting this in the design of the contract, as well as taking some to visit prospective contractors and be part of the final decision making panel. We believe we have secured a cost effective deal that will offer a great quality and flexible service to our residents. Our scrutiny panel will work to ensure both Wandle and Lovell delivers on the promises of the contract. It’s also important for us to work with partners that can add value in other ways so we’re really pleased the contract will enable us to engineer possible work opportunities for our residents and for people living in the areas in which we operate."

(CD/GK)