Public sector development partner hub South East has achieved double success at the prestigious Partnerships Awards 2018, scooping Gold in the much coveted Sponsor/Developer of the Year category, and Silver in Best Social Infrastructure for the West Calder High School project.

Organised by Partnerships Bulletin, the Partnerships Awards is the largest event recognising and rewarding the best in Public Private Partnerships (PPP). This long running annual event welcomes over 650 people annually to celebrate the industry’s achievements over the past year and in this 20th year entries were received for organisations and projects across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Judges awarding hub South East with Sponsor/Developer of the Year were impressed with the excellent delivery of programme and partnership models and recognised hub South East as having created an efficient, powerful and connected procurement vehicle that demonstrates how a successful partnership can deliver positive results.

Paul McGirk, hub South East’s chief executive, said: “These awards are about pushing the envelope of PPP and being at the forefront of developing and improving market practice, so I am immensely proud of hub South East’s success.

“To be shortlisted amongst such stiff international competition is recognition in itself. But to come home with two awards is a significant achievement and is testament to the consistent and repeated high performance of the team, the strength of partnership with our clients and the quality and innovation demonstrated on projects throughout the South East of Scotland.

“I’d like to thank all those involved in the ongoing success of hub South East, embracing the true partnership ethos of the hub model and further strengthening our position as our clients’ Development Partner of Choice.”

Judges awarding Silver to West Calder High School for Best Social Infrastructure praised the project for its new approach to education and the way in which this is reflected in the design and delivery of the building. They also recognised the strong community benefits the project has provided.

The new £32 million West Calder High School, currently under construction, is a partnership project between hub South East and West Lothian Council, with Morrison Construction the main contractor and Norr the architects behind the design.

West Lothian’s executive councillor for education, David Dodds, said: “We are delighted that the new West Calder High School has won this prestigious award.

“The innovative project will deliver a fantastic new state-of-the art school for the area, and is the result of close partnership working between the council and our partners.”