Miller Construction has secured financial close on the £80m Inverclyde Schools PPP project during the most challenging economic period in the last decade.

As the main stakeholder in the e4i (Education for Inverclyde) consortium, Miller Construction has played a key role in securing the significant funding deal for the design, build, financing and operation of the state-of-the-art schools.

Under the project, two secondary schools and two primary schools will be built in Inverclyde, providing first class education establishments designed for 21st century learning.

The ability of Miller to reach financial close in such a tough climate is testament to the strength of The Miller Group.

Keith Miller, Group Chief Executive, The Miller Group, said: “We have a long and very strong track record in the PPP market across the UK, particularly within the education sector, and look forward to bringing our expertise to this scheme. Our team worked tremendously hard to develop a strong proposal and we are delighted that through the determination and commitment of Inverclyde Council the project is now secure and construction can commence.”

Mark Baxter, Director of the PPP Unit at Miller Construction, added: “Given the current economic climate it is fantastic that we have secured this contract. We have worked with the Council since the very beginning of this project and together we have created a close partnership, which has proved instrumental in being able to reach this landmark milestone and will ensure the continued success of this contract.

“With our experience of working in the education sector, we are confident these new, modern schools will provide an excellent learning environment for the current and future generations of Inverclyde and provide the Council with value for money community facilities.”

Inverclyde MP David Cairns added:

“Children in Inverclyde deserve to be educated in modern, state- of- the-art buildings and that’s exactly what these new schools will provide. Our teachers are doing a great job and the results our schools are achieving are excellent, but time and again inspection reports have criticised the fabric of the buildings.

“Pupils have a right to expect up- to-date schools with modern facilities. It helps them to achieve their full potential and adds to the ethos of the school. The four new schools will also provide construction jobs for local people and contribute to the overall regeneration of the area.”

Work on the primary schools will begin immediately, with completion expected in early 2010. Construction of the secondary schools will begin in summer 2009, with completion expected in spring 2011.

The e4i consortium comprises Miller Construction, Cyrill Sweett, Land Securities Trillium and FES.

Email: Victoria.Paterson@bigpartnership.co.uk