MITIE has been awarded a ten-year repair and maintenance contract with Golding Homes housing association.
The deal, which is worth £70m over 10 years, has the potential to rise to £120 million, if Golding Homes issues additional works. It will see MITIE support the housing association's upkeep of 6,000 properties across Kent.

MITIE will work with Golding Homes and its wholly owned subsidiary Golding Services to deliver gas maintenance, responsive repairs, void reinstatements and planned works.

MITIE says that the main benefit to customers is a more flexible appointment system and streamlined repairs ordering process meaning there is a greater number of 'right first time' visits.

In addition, there are more opportunities for skills training and employment. There will also be greater consistency and security of service delivery because once the contract has ended the staff will remain with the subsidiary.

Representatives of Golding Homes residents were actively involved in agreeing the priorities for the contract, assessing tender documents and taking an active role in the procurement process.

The innovative subsidiary company model was developed by Golding Homes in conjunction with solicitors Trowers & Hamlins.

Chief executive of Golding Homes, Peter Stringer, said: 'We carefully considered a range of models for providing repairs and maintenance services, based on our customers' priorities. We concluded that creating a wholly owned subsidiary company as a vehicle for the contract will best help us meet our goals.'

Peter Griffin, MITIE's director for social housing, said: 'At MITIE we're passionate about working with our customers to develop strategic partnerships that can provide long-term investment in both service infrastructure and assets. We're delighted to be working with Golding Homes and Golding Services to deliver this exciting new contract.'