Contracts management
We are a new service to the University, working with departments to get exceptional results from contracts
Our team FM of contract professionals represent the University in terms of contracts, so that departments and divisions can focus on their core purpose.
Effective contract management is crucial to any organisation but with it comes daily challenges.
We understand these challenges and have expertise in setting up, managing, monitoring and advising on, contract innovations. Our professional approach means we are able to really make the most of our contracts in order to deliver services of a consistently high standard. We engage and involve the University every step of the way with consultations and stakeholder working groups to reach an outcome that benefits, and is fit for purpose, for everyone.
Contract lifecycle
Our growing team currently manages catering, cleaning, waste and some hard services contracts which sit within the Estates Division. We also provide general advice and support on others areas including pest control, barrier matting and more.
An effective contract is important because:
- it enables departments, divisions to focus on their core function, while our contracts team take the strain
- it is set up following a rigorous contracts and category management end-to-end process by our qualified contracts and purchasing specialists
- it is professionally managed and coordinated with expertise from relevant University departments including FM, purchasing and central finance
- it enables standards to be consistent across the University as structured service level agreements are put in place
- it fulfils essential compliance requirements including living wage and sustainability
- it delivers operational, time and cost savings for divisions and departments
- departments have the potential to save further money as a result of procuring one contract for various integrated services, like cleaning or catering, as opposed to a number of different contracts for individual single services
- it meets the needs and standards of divisions and departments at every level
Get in touch
If you are interested in adopting one of our existing contracts to manage your catering, cleaning or water requirements - or if you are worried about a contract that is not delivering or taking up too much of your time - please contact Max Horner, Contracts Manager, +44(0)1865 2 88557 or maxwell.horner@admin.ox.ac.uk. We will be happy to help.
Find out more
Did you know?
The current catering contract turns over £4.5m per annum and continues to grow as more departments adopt it.
Our catering contract with Compass at Oxford began in September 2017.
Get in touch
The catering contract is managed by the Facilities Management and Purchasing teams in Estates Services. If you have any questions regarding catering, please contact Stephanie Atkinson on stephanie.atkinson@admin.ox.ac.uk.
The Contract team
The Compass at Oxford catering contract is managed between Strategic Facilities Management and Compass Group UK. The Head of Contracts oversees the contract from the University's perspective, working closely with colleagues in purchasing.
As a team, our aim is always to provide the best possible service to the University.
Good work taking place
We have been busy! Since the contract began we have:
- set up quarterly stakeholder working groups to engage with the cafe needs and aspirations of staff and students
- adapted and improved the service based on the working groups discussions
- refurbished 18 departmental cafes, along with the University Club.
Sustainability is at the core of our relationship with Compass. Compass are putting all the cafes through The Sustainable Restaurant Association accreditation to ensure our commitment and actions are in line with industry best practice. For more information on this and the many other sustainable practices we are adopting in our catering services, please visit our Sustainability in catering page.
