Mace appointed as Manufacturing Programme Partner by AWE

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) has appointed Mace as Manufacturing Programme Partner for a major infrastructure development programme. Mace has been appointed in partnership with BakerHicks and DBD International. 

The purpose of this complex, long term programme is to develop a new component manufacturing capability to support the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) nuclear deterrent. As Manufacturing Programme Partner, Mace, BakerHicks and DBD will work in partnership with AWE over the next decade to support the delivery of new manufacturing facilities. 

The initial phase of the programme will see the delivery of concept designs (Royal Institute of British Architects - RIBA2) and supporting evidence, which will be used to down select to a preferred option. This will be supported with wider specialist programme partners, who will develop the RIBA2 design. Mace will be critical in supporting the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in making the necessary case to the Investment Approval Committee, with engagement expected to start formally in October 2021. If the case is successful in gaining approval, the spatial, technical design and construction phases of the programme will also be subject to the MOD’s approval process.

The programme is a complex construction delivery process that will require the entire project team to operate at the highest levels of safety, security and quality. Mace will be working closely with AWE to challenge convention and incorporate modern methods of construction and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approaches into the programme. 

Established in 2016, Mace’s defence consultancy business has expanded successfully and rapidly, now providing a wide range of fully integrated project and programme management services, alongside construction management and strategic advisory, acting as the trusted delivery partner to the UK’s defence sector. The partnering with BakerHicks and DBD brings key, specialist skills and experience in support of operations on a nuclear licensed site.

Mace brings integrated security services to defence clients in the private and public sectors, including Babcock, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Defence Equipment & Support. 

Roger Dickinson, Executive Director from AWE, said: 

“We are delighted that Mace has been successful in its bid to become part of the AWE delivery organisation. We will work with Mace to make this an extremely strong development and delivery partnership, focussing on driving value for money for our customer whilst delivering a safe and secure, high quality product to our range of production facilities. This partnership will bring together specialised skills from Mace to work alongside AWE’s best people.” 

Jason Millett, Mace’s CEO for Consultancy, said: 

"This programme is one of the most ambitious and challenging defence infrastructure programmes being delivered in Europe. It will require the delivery of cutting-edge manufacturing facilities, working in one of the most complex live environments anywhere in our industry.

“We are very proud that AWE has placed its trust in Mace to play such a key role in the development and delivery of the programme over the next ten years. Over the last five years, our defence business has grown from strength to strength – and that’s down to our fantastic teams and the remarkable work they deliver on behalf of our partners and clients.”