Jarvis plc, the international facilities management group, has been selected by Kirklees Council as Preferred Partner in a major project to transform and refurbish 20 schools across the Kirklees district. The council will join with Jarvis as an equity partner in the Joint Venture Project to deliver improvements and modernisation to the 20 educational establishments.

This major scheme is one of five pilot projects of its type in the UK. These pilots have been selected by the Department for Education and Employment to receive support under the New Deals for Schools Programme which has been established to pioneer innovative solutions under the Private Finance Initiative or Public Private Partnerships.

The Kirklees Project will involve a £43 million capital investment to upgrade facilities in the educational establishments and Jarvis will contract to deliver services over a proposed 30-year concession period. The whole life value of the contract is estimated at some £245 million.

Paris Moayedi, Chief Executive of Jarvis commented: "I cannot over emphasis our commitment to the Kriklees School programme, which judging by the enthusiasm and positive attitude of the parties involved, promises to be a very successful project."

Anna Lagerkvist