(7 December 2015) Arcadis, the leading global Design & Consultancy firm for natural and built assets, has been appointed by Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G) as its sole Managed Service Provider, leading a 10-year program of work to deliver the £1 billion Manchester Airport Transformation Program. Further financial details were not disclosed.

Arcadis will be responsible for the Program Management of the entire transformation, encompassing Program and Project Controls, Commercial, Risk, Value Management and Design Guardianship as well as supporting M.A.G. in the wider Stakeholder Management as the airport seeks to realize its significant capacity for growth.

As the third largest airport in the UK, Manchester Airport is the global gateway to the North of England and will play a key role in delivering the Northern Powerhouse agenda. Comprising a series of 60 enhancements, the Transformation Program will increase passenger capacity from 20 million to 30 million passengers by 2025 through the expansion and reconfiguration of Terminal 2 to become the airport's primary terminal building, along with further improvements of Terminal 3 to cater for increased demand and an expanding flight schedule.

Arcadis' Program and Project Services team have been a framework supplier of Project and Commercial Services to M.A.G since March 2015. This latest win builds on Arcadis' expertise in the aviation sector, with previous experience drawn from international projects including Sao Paulo, Lima, Abu Dhabi, Dublin, Changi, Hong Kong and Marseilles, as well as a number of other UK airports.

The ability to draw on global capabilities to offer truly integrated solutions has been a significant factor in winning new business for the firm, while regional knowledge and local expertise offer a unique competitive advantage.

Alan Brookes, UK Chief Executive Officer, said: "With Manchester expected to play a significant role as one of the economic 'powerhouses' in the North of England, investment in infrastructure and transportation are key for the city and vital in terms of helping to accelerate growth potential. With major long-term projects of this nature, being able to offer certainty of outcome is integral for everyone involved and, as Arcadis, the fact that we can operate across the entire project lifecycle played a major part in our being awarded the contract."

Brad Miller, Programme Director for the Manchester Airport Transformation Program commented: "We are investing £1bn in the 10 year program which will radically improve the passenger and airline experience at Manchester Airport. Whilst we are just at the start of this transformation project, there is already a great sense of excitement about what will be delivered and how. The team and I are delighted to have appointed Arcadis to support us on this journey, as they have clearly demonstrated how they will bring value to the program."

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