FAQs

Questions about our sectors

Highways & Infrastructure

Frameworks & Procurement
Which public sector procurement frameworks does Bentley hold for highways and infrastructure project management?

Bentley holds framework positions for project management and cost consultancy services with ESPO, Procure Partnerships, Bloom NEPRO3, Star Procurement and CCS DPS. These frameworks allow local authorities, combined authorities and other contracting authorities to appoint Bentley directly - without the need for a full open tender - providing a compliant, efficient and auditable route to procurement. Contact us to confirm current framework lot coverage and availability for your specific requirement.

How do public sector clients appoint Bentley through a framework for an infrastructure scheme?

Public sector clients appoint Bentley by issuing a call-off under the relevant framework - ESPO, Procure Partnerships, Bloom NEPRO3, Star Procurement or CCS DPS. The process involves confirming the appropriate lot, agreeing a scope and fee, and issuing a call-off contract. This route is fully compliant with procurement regulations, removes the need for a standalone open tender, and significantly reduces the time between decision and mobilisation. Our team can advise on the most appropriate route for your organisation type and contract value.

Can Bentley advise on the most appropriate procurement route for a highways or infrastructure project?

Yes. Bentley provides procurement route advice as part of our infrastructure project management service. We assess the project scope, value, programme and client context, then recommend the most appropriate route - whether through a public sector framework, competitive tender or negotiated appointment. For public sector clients, we ensure the chosen route is fully compliant with procurement regulations. For private sector clients, we advise on the most commercially efficient route to securing the right contractor team.

NEC & Contract Management
Does Bentley provide NEC contract management services for highways and infrastructure schemes?

Yes. Bentley has NEC-accredited project managers and provides NEC contract management services across highways, transport and infrastructure schemes for public and private sector clients. Our team is experienced in both NEC3 and NEC4 contract forms - including the Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC), Professional Services Contract (PSC) and Term Service Contract (TSC) - and manages early warnings, compensation events and programme obligations as standard deliverables on every NEC appointment.

What is the difference between NEC3 and NEC4 contract management, and which does Bentley use?

NEC3 and NEC4 are successive editions of the New Engineering Contract suite. NEC4 introduced improvements including a clearer assessment process for compensation events, enhanced early warning provisions, and a new Alliance Contract option. Bentley's project managers are accredited in both NEC3 and NEC4 and work across whichever contract form the client specifies. Many public sector clients continue to use NEC3 on existing programmes while adopting NEC4 on new commissions. We advise clients on the practical implications of each edition.

How does Bentley manage early warnings and compensation events on NEC infrastructure contracts?

Bentley manages early warnings and compensation events as core contract administration obligations on every NEC appointment. For early warnings, our project managers maintain a live risk register and issue notifications proactively when events arise that could affect time, cost or quality. For compensation events, we assess entitlement, agree quotations with the contractor and maintain an accurate running total of forecast final cost. This structured approach to NEC administration protects the client's commercial position and avoids disputed final accounts.

Infrastructure Project Management Services
What does Bentley's infrastructure project management service include?

Bentley's infrastructure project management service covers the full project lifecycle, from early-stage development and funding strategy through to delivery and completion. Services include: project development and business case preparation; procurement planning and management; programme development and risk management including quantitative risk assessment (QRA); stakeholder and governance management; land acquisition and statutory process management; and contract management and delivery oversight across NEC, JCT and bespoke contract forms. We embed our project managers directly within client delivery teams from inception to handover.

Can Bentley support land acquisition and compulsory purchase processes on infrastructure schemes?

Yes. Bentley supports land acquisition as an integrated part of infrastructure project delivery. This includes voluntary acquisition negotiations, coordination with solicitors and valuers, and the management of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) processes where required. We liaise directly with third-party stakeholders including Network Rail, National Highways, the Environment Agency and utility providers to coordinate consents, diversions and approvals. Our project managers have extensive experience managing these processes on behalf of local authority clients.

How does Bentley manage stakeholder and governance structures on complex infrastructure programmes?

Bentley establishes governance frameworks aligned to each client's own assurance processes, including reporting structures for project boards, elected members and funding bodies. We manage relationships with the full range of stakeholders typically involved in public sector infrastructure - councils, delivery partners, utility providers, landowners and statutory consultees - and coordinate their input to avoid programme delays. Our team understands the political and reputational sensitivity of public sector delivery and provides transparent communication to support confident decision-making throughout.

Infrastructure Cost Management Services
What infrastructure cost management services does Bentley provide?

Bentley provides a full range of infrastructure cost management services, including: early-stage cost estimating and feasibility support to inform funding bids and option selection; detailed cost planning and market-aligned estimates based on measured works, current market data and risk allowances; tendering, contract analysis and administration across the full commercial process; ongoing cost control and budget management including change management and final account forecasting; and dispute resolution and commercial support to resolve contract claims efficiently.

How does Bentley approach risk management and quantitative risk assessment (QRA) on infrastructure projects?

Bentley manages risk through a structured process beginning at project inception. We establish a risk register, facilitate regular risk workshops with the client and delivery team, and - on larger schemes - carry out quantitative risk assessment (QRA) to model the financial and programme impact of identified risks and inform contingency planning. QRA is particularly important on government-funded infrastructure schemes where cost certainty is required to satisfy funding body approval processes. Early warning mechanisms aligned to NEC requirements ensure emerging risks are flagged before they affect cost or programme.

Can Bentley help resolve disputes or claims on an infrastructure contract?

Yes. Bentley provides dispute avoidance and resolution support as part of our infrastructure cost management service. This includes reviewing the contractual basis of claims, preparing or responding to compensation event quotations, providing independent commercial assessments, and advising on the most proportionate resolution route - whether through negotiation, adjudication or other mechanisms. Our approach prioritises early resolution to minimise disruption to delivery and preserve the working relationship between the client and contractor.

Government Funding, Geography & Appointment
Can Bentley help secure government funding for a highways or infrastructure project?

Yes. Bentley provides funding strategy advice and business case development to help local authorities and public sector bodies secure central government investment for infrastructure projects. We have supported clients in securing over £750 million in government funding from the Department for Transport (DfT), the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and Homes England. Our team prepares strategic, economic and commercial business cases aligned to HM Treasury Green Book guidance and the requirements of specific funding programmes.

Which regions does Bentley provide highways and infrastructure project management services in?

Bentley provides highways and infrastructure project management services nationally, with offices in Nottingham, Manchester and London. We are particularly active across the East Midlands - supporting local authorities and delivery bodies in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire - and in the North West, where our Manchester office covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire. We also support national infrastructure programmes and government-funded schemes from our London office. Clients include county councils, combined authorities, land promoters and infrastructure delivery bodies.

How can a local authority appoint Bentley for a highways project management commission?

Local authorities can appoint Bentley through our framework positions with ESPO, Procure Partnerships, Bloom NEPRO3, Star Procurement or CCS DPS - all of which provide a fully compliant, direct appointment route without the need for a standalone tender. Alternatively, we can be appointed through a competitive procurement process. To start a conversation, contact us at enquiries@bentleyprojectmanagement.co.uk or call our Nottingham or Manchester offices directly.

Land & Development

Clients, Track Record & Credentials
Which types of developers and landowners does Bentley work with on land development projects?

Bentley works with a wide range of private sector developer and landowner clients, including strategic land promoters, master developers, national and regional housebuilders, industrial and logistics developers, landed estates and private landowners, and commercial property developers. Our clients include Harworth Group, Tritax, Peel and IM Properties, alongside regional developers, land promoters and institutional landowners. We are currently enabling over 100,000 new homes and more than 10 million sqft of industrial and logistics space across the UK.

What is the scale of Bentley's land and development project portfolio?

Bentley is currently enabling over 100,000 new homes and more than 10 million sqft of industrial and logistics space across the UK, as part of a broader portfolio worth more than £1 billion across all sectors. We provide project and cost management on schemes ranging from small urban infill sites to strategic allocations of several thousand homes, and from single-unit logistics facilities to major multi-phase distribution parks. Our team has experience across the full range of development scales, from early-stage land promotion through to multi-phase infrastructure and build-out delivery.

Is Bentley RICS-regulated as a quantity surveying practice for land development work?

Yes. Bentley is a RICS-regulated firm and our quantity surveyors include MRICS-qualified professionals. RICS regulation provides clients with assurance that Bentley operates to the RICS Rules of Conduct, maintains professional indemnity insurance at the required level, and adheres to RICS professional standards in cost management and quantity surveying practice. For developer and landowner clients, RICS regulation is an important indicator of technical competence, professional accountability and commercial credibility throughout the development process.

S106, Viability & Specialist Cost Services
Does Bentley provide S106 cost consultancy and development viability advice?

Yes. Bentley provides S106 cost consultancy and development viability advice as specialist services within our land and development offer. For S106 assessments, we prepare and audit infrastructure cost schedules, advise on the reasonableness of local authority S106 demands, and provide independent cost assessments where viability negotiations are required. For development viability, we advise strategic land promoters and developers at all stages - from initial site appraisal and feasibility through to planning application, appeal and determination - including abnormal cost identification, infrastructure cost modelling, and CIL assessment.

What is involved in a site appraisal and technical due diligence for a land development project?

Bentley's site appraisal and technical due diligence service involves assessing site constraints, access, servicing requirements and abnormal costs to support land acquisition, investment and disposal decisions. This includes identifying ground condition risks, utility diversions, drainage requirements, retaining structures and any other site-specific cost drivers that affect land value and development viability. We coordinate technical reviews across specialist disciplines - geotechnical, structural, environmental, highways - and present findings in a cost summary that feeds directly into the development appraisal. Early identification of abnormal costs is one of the most commercially valuable contributions a quantity surveyor can make on a development site.

Can Bentley provide independent project monitoring and funder reporting on a land development scheme?

Yes. Bentley provides independent project monitoring services for funders, lenders and investors on residential and commercial development schemes. This includes monitoring construction progress against programme, reviewing costs and expenditure against the agreed budget, assessing contractor performance and quality, and producing regular monitoring reports for funding drawdown purposes. Our independent oversight gives funders confidence that development is progressing in accordance with the approved plans and that any emerging risks are identified and managed. We are experienced working alongside registered providers, institutional funders and development finance lenders.

Development Types & Project Management Services
What types of land development projects does Bentley manage - residential, commercial or industrial?

Bentley provides project and cost management across all major land development types, including large-scale strategic residential allocations, housebuilder delivery programmes, industrial and logistics development (including major distribution warehouses and urban logistics facilities), commercial and mixed-use schemes, and land-led regeneration projects. We are currently managing projects delivering over 100,000 new homes and more than 10 million sqft of industrial and logistics space across the UK. Our services cover the full development lifecycle - from pre-acquisition site appraisal and technical due diligence through to phasing strategy, planning, delivery and handover.

How does Bentley manage the planning process on a land development project?

Bentley provides planning process management as a core service on land development projects, covering both pre- and post-planning activity. Pre-planning, we manage design coordination, technical consultant outputs, stakeholder engagement and the preparation of planning application material. Post-planning, we manage condition discharge, mobilisation planning, infrastructure sequencing and the transition from planning to delivery. We work alongside planning consultants, architects, transport consultants, engineers and ecologists to maintain programme momentum and reduce the risk of abortive costs caused by coordination failures within the consultant team.

Does Bentley provide phasing and delivery strategy advice on large multi-phase development schemes?

Yes. Bentley provides phasing and delivery strategy advice on large land development schemes as a specialist service. This involves advising on the optimal sequencing of development phases to align infrastructure delivery, funding drawdowns, planning conditions and market strategy. We model the cost and programme implications of different phasing options, identify which infrastructure must be delivered ahead of each phase, and structure the delivery programme to minimise holding costs and maximise build-out rate. For master developers and strategic land promoters, getting phasing right at an early stage is one of the most significant value contributions a project manager can make.

Land Development Cost Management Services
What cost management services does Bentley provide for land development clients?

Bentley provides a comprehensive range of cost management services for land development clients, including: financial due diligence and development appraisals for residential, commercial and mixed-use land; detailed cost planning and phased cashflow forecasting aligned to funding strategies and build programmes; contractor procurement, tendering and commercial management through construction; interim valuations and drawdown management; ongoing budget control and financial monitoring; S106 financial assessments and viability advice; and final account settlement. Our cost managers ensure cost plans reflect current market conditions, programme risks and phasing assumptions at every stage.

How does Bentley manage NEC and JCT contracts on land development projects?

Bentley manages NEC and JCT contracts as a core part of our project and cost management service on development schemes. For NEC contracts, our team provides early warning management, compensation event assessment and programme monitoring in accordance with the contract requirements. For JCT contracts, we manage interim valuations, change control, extension of time assessments and final account negotiations. Our contract management approach maintains commercial control, reduces contractor claims exposure and ensures the contract works in the interests of the employer throughout the development process.

At what stage should a developer or landowner appoint a project manager and quantity surveyor?

Ideally, a project manager and quantity surveyor should be appointed as early as possible - at or before site acquisition, or during the early land promotion process. Early appointment allows the consultant team to influence the site appraisal, identify abnormal costs, advise on infrastructure sequencing and help structure the design team. This reduces cost and programme risk significantly compared to appointing after planning permission has been secured. Bentley regularly works with developers and promoters from pre-acquisition through to delivery, and can also provide targeted support at any individual stage where needed.

Geography & Appointment
Which regions does Bentley provide land development project management and quantity surveying services in?

Bentley provides land development project and cost management services nationally, with offices in Nottingham, Manchester and London. We are particularly active across the East Midlands - covering Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire - where we work with major strategic land promoters and industrial developers including Harworth Group. Our Manchester office covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and the North West, including the M62 logistics corridor. We also work with national developer clients across London and the South East. Many of our clients have national portfolios and we regularly provide services across multiple regions simultaneously.

Does Bentley work with both public and private sector clients on land development schemes?

Yes. Bentley works across both sectors on land development. Our primary land development clients are private sector developers, land promoters, housebuilders and landowners. However, we also work with public sector bodies commissioning land development work - including local authorities developing surplus land, registered social landlords delivering residential schemes, and public sector development vehicles managing strategic regeneration sites. Public sector clients can appoint Bentley for land-related project management through our framework positions with ESPO, Procure Partnerships, Bloom NEPRO3, Star Procurement and CCS DPS.

How do I appoint Bentley for a land development project management or quantity surveying commission?

There are two main routes to appointing Bentley for land development work. For private sector developer and landowner clients, contact us at enquiries@bentleyprojectmanagement.co.uk or call our Nottingham or Manchester offices to discuss your project. We will arrange a no-obligation introductory conversation to understand the site, the stage you are at, and the specific services required. For public sector clients commissioning land-related project management, we can also be appointed through our framework positions with ESPO, Procure Partnerships, Bloom NEPRO3, Star Procurement and CCS DPS.

Built Environment

Frameworks & Procurement
Which public sector procurement frameworks does Bentley hold for built environment project management?

Bentley holds framework positions for project management and cost consultancy services with ESPO, Procure Partnerships, Bloom NEPRO3 and Star Procurement. These frameworks allow local authorities, combined authorities, NHS trusts, educational institutions and registered social landlords to appoint Bentley directly - without the need for a full open tender - providing a compliant, efficient and auditable procurement route. We also hold a CCS DPS position for national public sector appointments. Contact us to confirm current framework lot coverage and availability for your organisation.

What types of public sector organisations can appoint Bentley through a framework?

Through our framework positions, Bentley can be appointed by local authorities, combined authorities, NHS trusts, educational institutions, registered social landlords, registered charities, central government agencies and other public bodies. ESPO covers a broad range of public sector organisations including those in the East Midlands and nationally. Procure Partnerships provides access across construction, infrastructure and consultancy appointments. Bloom NEPRO3 and Star Procurement are particularly relevant for North West public sector clients. CCS DPS is available for national public sector appointments across all regions.

How does Bentley's ESPO framework position work for built environment appointments in the East Midlands?

ESPO is a procurement authority that enables public bodies - including local authorities, NHS organisations, educational institutions and registered social landlords - to procure services from a list of approved suppliers without running a full open tender. Bentley holds an ESPO framework position for project management and cost consultancy services, making it straightforward for East Midlands public sector clients to appoint Bentley compliantly and efficiently. For East Midlands local authorities in particular, ESPO is often the most practical and time-efficient route to appointing a built environment PM or QS consultancy.

Government Funding & Business Cases
Can Bentley help secure government funding for a built environment project?

Yes. Bentley provides funding strategy advice, bid writing and business case development to help public sector clients secure central and local government funding for built environment projects. Our team prepares strategic, economic and commercial cases aligned to HM Treasury Green Book guidance, and we have supported clients in securing over £750 million in government funding across infrastructure, regeneration and built environment programmes from sources including DLUHC, Homes England, the Department for Transport and local growth funds. We support the full funding lifecycle - from early options appraisal through to full business case and financial close.

What is a Green Book business case and does Bentley prepare them?

The HM Treasury Green Book sets out the government's framework for appraising and evaluating public sector policies, programmes and projects. A compliant business case typically follows the Five Case Model - strategic, economic, commercial, financial and management cases - and is required for most central government funding applications. Yes, Bentley prepares Green Book-compliant business cases as part of our built environment project management service. Our team has supported local authorities and public bodies in preparing business cases for Levelling Up Fund, Towns Fund, DLUHC and DfT-funded programmes.

Does Bentley provide employer's agent services on built environment projects?

Yes. Bentley provides employer's agent services on built environment projects, acting as the client's representative to protect time, cost and quality outcomes throughout the delivery phase. As employer's agent, we manage the contract on behalf of the client, oversee contractor performance, process payment applications, administer change control, and provide regular reporting to stakeholders and funders. The employer's agent role is particularly common on design-and-build and JCT-procured built environment schemes where the client requires an independent, expert representative managing the contract on their behalf.

Built Environment Project Types
What types of built environment projects does Bentley manage?

Bentley manages a wide range of built environment projects, including town and city centre regeneration schemes, public realm and streetscape improvements, education projects (including school expansions and new-build schools), community buildings and leisure facilities, healthcare and NHS estate projects, commercial and mixed-use development, refurbishment and remodelling works, and sustainable built environment programmes. Our experience spans RIBA Stages 0-7, and we support clients from initial strategic planning and business case development through to contract management and completion. Clients include local authorities, combined authorities, NHS trusts, educational institutions and registered social landlords.

Does Bentley have experience managing education and school construction projects?

Yes. Bentley has experience delivering project and cost management on education construction projects, including primary school expansions, new-build school facilities and further education campus developments. Our education project work includes both new build and refurbishment schemes, often carried out within occupied environments where minimising disruption to pupils and staff is essential. We understand the funding mechanisms, procurement routes and regulatory requirements relevant to publicly funded education construction, and our team is experienced working within local authority capital programmes delivering education estate improvements.

Does Bentley manage healthcare and NHS estate projects?

Yes. Bentley provides project and cost management on healthcare and NHS estate projects, including new-build healthcare facilities, GP surgery developments, community health centres and NHS estate refurbishment and remodelling works. Healthcare projects require careful management of clinical service continuity, infection control requirements and stakeholder sensitivities that are distinct from most other built environment sectors. Our team is experienced in these requirements and provides project management that reflects both the construction and operational context of healthcare delivery.

Cost Management & Delivery Services
What built environment cost management services does Bentley provide?

Bentley provides a full range of cost management services for built environment projects, including: early-stage cost advice and feasibility support for funding bids and options appraisals; detailed cost planning through RIBA Stages 2-4 with risk allowances and current market data; tendering and contractor selection to achieve the right balance of value and quality; contract administration and cost control including payment applications, variations and change management; dispute avoidance and resolution; and employer's agent and financial monitoring services. Our cost managers work across NEC and JCT contract forms on both public sector and commercial built environment schemes.

How does Bentley manage programme and procurement on built environment projects?

Bentley manages programme and procurement as integrated functions on built environment projects. For programme management, we develop realistic, phased delivery schedules that align with funding requirements, planning conditions and stakeholder expectations, then monitor progress and manage deviations proactively throughout delivery. For procurement, we advise on the most appropriate route - including framework appointments, two-stage tendering and traditional competitive tendering - prepare contract documents, manage the tender process and support contractor selection. On public sector projects, we ensure procurement is fully compliant with regulations.

Does Bentley support land acquisition and compulsory purchase on built environment schemes?

Yes. Bentley supports land acquisition and compulsory purchase as part of our built environment project management service. This includes supporting voluntary acquisition negotiations, coordinating land assembly alongside legal and valuation advisers, and managing Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) processes on town centre regeneration and public realm schemes where site assembly requires it. We also manage statutory processes with third-party stakeholders including utility providers, Network Rail and the Environment Agency where their infrastructure intersects with a built environment development.

Geography & Appointment
Which regions does Bentley provide built environment project management services in?

Bentley provides built environment project and cost management services nationally, with offices in Nottingham, Manchester and London. We are particularly active across the East Midlands - supporting local authorities and public sector delivery bodies in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire - where our ESPO framework position provides a direct appointment route for East Midlands public sector clients. Our Manchester office covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire, with Bloom NEPRO3 and Star Procurement providing compliant appointment routes for North West public sector bodies. Our London office supports national clients appointing through CCS DPS.

Does Bentley manage both public sector and commercial built environment projects?

Yes. Bentley works across both public sector and commercial built environment commissions. Our public sector work includes town centre regeneration, education, healthcare, community buildings and government-funded sustainable built environment programmes, delivered for local authorities, combined authorities, NHS trusts and educational institutions. Our commercial work includes office and business park schemes, retail and leisure development, hotel and hospitality projects, and mixed-use regeneration schemes. We apply the same governance, commercial control and delivery disciplines across both sectors.

How can a public sector organisation appoint Bentley for a built environment commission?

Public sector organisations can appoint Bentley through our framework positions with ESPO, Procure Partnerships, Bloom NEPRO3, Star Procurement or CCS DPS - all of which provide a fully compliant, direct appointment route without the need for a standalone competitive tender. The appropriate framework will depend on the organisation type, contract value, project type and geographical location. For organisations outside our framework coverage, or where a competitive process is preferred, we are equally experienced in responding to formal tender invitations. Contact us at enquiries@bentleyprojectmanagement.co.uk or call our Nottingham or Manchester offices.