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Our advisory services

Our advisory services

We offer commercial and financial advisory services and market leading lending to local authorities across the UK for economic infrastructure projects.

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Local authorities have set ambitious targets to deliver infrastructure for their local communities in support of net zero and regional and local economic growth. They act as project sponsors, work to crowd-in private investment and invest where there is limited market provision.  

We provide support and act as a critical friend to local authorities, helping them to understand and navigate the challenges and financing barriers they face in delivering critical infrastructure.  

We offer impartial advisory services and are currently the lowest cost source of finance for local authorities delivering ambitious infrastructure projects that tackle climate change and support economic growth.  

We have published our strategy update, which provides more detail on our local authority services. If you would like to discuss your infrastructure project and explore how we may be able to assist, please contact our Local Authority Managing Director, Lorna Pimlott.

We are currently building our expertise in the following areas where we have identified the greatest demand from local authorities, potential for impact and opportunity for sharing learning: retrofit, heat networks and transport.  

Retrofit

Holbeck street showing houses before and after retrofit

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings and decarbonising heat is a key priority for local authorities. There is no template because every building has a bespoke set of requirements that is influenced by the age and mixed-tenure nature of housing stock. Other challenges to delivery include a low return on investment, fragmented supply chain and complex customer journey. We are supporting local authorities across the UK with strategic and commercial advice as they trial different retrofit models and develop a longer-term plan for retrofitting buildings. To find out more, contact our Director for Retrofit, Stuart Leslie.

Heat networks

General view of a heat network on a sunny day

Local authorities will play a key role in delivering the UK’s transition to district heating networks by designating heat network zones, acting as project sponsors and investors, and being key heat off-takers through their estates. We have unique sector expertise gained through our work with a number of pioneering local authority heat networks and can offer bespoke finance that reflects the specific cashflows of heat network projects. To find out more, contact our Director for Heat Networks, Peter Chalmers

Transport

Bee network buses

Local authorities are working to reduce emissions, tackle congestion and improve air quality by investing in transport systems. We have specialist capabilities to support local authorities undertaking mass transit and public transport projects and delivering zero emission vehicle infrastructure. We advise authorities delivering major transport schemes on their strategy and commercial delivery models, including funding and financing options capable of drawing in private finance. To find out more, contact our Director for Transport, Dan Mansfield.

Place-based approach

Heybarnes Circus, A45, Birmingham

Local authorities lead regeneration and placemaking activity and are critical to delivering government’s flagship growth policies. We can provide advice to develop investable business cases and lend directly to mixed infrastructure projects that cover more than one sector where there is a significant economic infrastructure component. To find out more, contact our Director for Mixed Infrastructure, Raphael Miller.

Local authority case study

Glasgow cityscape at night

Glasgow City Council

The Glasgow City Council-led Clyde Metro Team is supporting the development of the mass transit scheme following its recent confirmation by the Scottish Government as a key future transport investment priority.

If you have a project that you would like to discuss with us please get in touch