The deal runs for six years and the winning firms are:

• Clugston Construction
• Sir Robert McAlpine
• BAM Construction Limited
• Bowmer & Kirkland
• Galliford Try
• Robertson

The North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium framework will be used by five of the region’s leading higher eduction institutions at Newcastle, Durham, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside Universities.

The first project awarded under the framework for construction and fit-out of Newcastle University Sports Centre, will be delivered by Clugston and is due to start on site in January 2018.

The £17m centre, on the Richardson Road site, will provide new modern sports halls, courts, running tracks and gymnasiums for Newcastle University students.

Steve Radcliffe managing director of Clugston Construction’s said: “We are delighted to have secured a place on this Framework and look forward to supporting the capital project needs of such high profile organisations.

“Being involved in this framework will provide the opportunity to further develop our North East Business, by investing in our commitment to employment and skills and growing the local supply chain.”

Andrew Warwick, Construction Director for BAM in the North East, said: “We’ve built numerous education buildings for Universities in the North East, and this new purchasing consortium makes great sense.

“It offers a very productive working arrangement for both the Universities and for the contractors appointed to it.

“I’m delighted that the collaborative quality of BAM’s approach has been recognised by our place on the framework.”

Frank Rowell, Head of Consortium, NEUPC added: “Through collaboration with our members in the North East, we are excited to announce the launch of a ground breaking Major Construction collaborative Framework.

“This is the first time a HE purchasing consortium has tendered a framework of this scale and complexity and demonstrates our ability to provide relevant and high-quality procurement resources to university estates departments.

“Our members are now able to access purchasing agreements that cover the majority of estates activity.”