CTP.L Regulatory News (CTP)

3 Feb 2009 09:09



Redstone plc

("Redstone" or the "Group")

Redstone appointed Preferred Bidder for ICT element of Birmingham BSF Contract worth approximately £150 million

3 February 2009 - Redstone plc, the national IT and Communications solutions provider, announces today, that as part of a consortium led by Catalyst Lend Lease & Bovis Lend Lease, it has been selected as preferred bidder to deploy the complete converged IT and communications infrastructure for the Building Schools for the Future ("BSF") programme in Birmingham. Financial close is expected to take place by May 2009.

The 15-year scheme involves the redevelopment of 89 secondary and special needs schools across the city, providing for the educational needs of over 77,000 students. 

Redstone, in partnership with the City Council, will be supplying a complete IT and Communications solution that will give each school a fully integrated IP network, communications and e-learning environment. 

The total contract value to Redstone is expected to be worth approximately £150 million over 15 years. 

Birmingham City Council is aiming to sign the BSF contract in May 2009 and plans are in place to start work immediately on the first three schools in phase one. These are due to open in 2011 and seven more schools and three academies will all follow in the first phase. The remaining schools will be built over five further phases, completing in 2020. 

Martin Balaam, Chief Executive Officer, comments "Redstone is delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder for the Birmingham BSF project. The scale of this project re-affirms Redstone's position as a leading provider of ICT and communications solutions. We are committed to transforming education through ICT and will continue to actively bid for further BSF projects together with our preferred partners."

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