Aurora partnership to help transform Defence engineering services
Above: Sitting: Peter Richardson (QinetiQ); Nick Elliott (DE&S); Tony Chisnall (DE&S). Standing: Simon Gould (BMT), Martin Chalmers (Atkins), Gordon Barr (QinetiQ), Peter Hargraves (DE&S), Francesca Insley (DE&S), Graham Hyndman (DE&S), Sahaab Payne (DE&S), Andy Thorp (QinetiQ), Nic Anderson (QinetiQ) and David Roberts (DE&S).
From 10th October, the partnership – formed by QinetiQ, Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, and BMT – will help the MOD to reduce costs of their engineering services, while ensuring the UK’s Armed Forces receive the best equipment and support.
With the partnership of QinetiQ, Atkins and BMT, the MoD will get access to extensive experience in the defence sector, as well as experience of delivering similar partnerships in other sectors.
Aurora will help DE&S manage these costs, driving effective change and savings through financial discipline and transparent, simplified pricing. Dr Gordon Barr, Managing Director, Aurora Engineering Partnership, QinetiQ, said: “The vision for the EDP is to form a strong and professional engineering partnership with DE&S, enabling agile and efficient outcomes for front line equipment and support.”
John McGlynn, Aurora Delivery Director, Atkins, added: “Our aim is to provide the right support, first time, safely and within budget. We’ll achieve this by focusing first and foremost on the outcomes for those on the front line, working collaboratively to drive increased performance and productivity wherever we can.”
Another key element of the EDP will be driving innovation from across industry and academia. As part of this, Aurora will build a provider network including niche and specialist small to medium sized enterprises (SME) to tap into the best UK expertise.
Roy Quilliam, Aurora Engineering Director, BMT explains: “We are establishing a sustainable provider network that encourages and develops SMEs as a vital part of providing more efficient and innovative services to DE&S. We already have an unprecedented 280 companies registered, of which 70% are SMEs, to provide engineering services to the Aurora Engineering Partnership.”
