The contract will see Engie provide an initial £55m redesign and refurbishment of over 1,300 existing student rooms, followed by a 50-year facilities management and lifecycle contract, worth a further £140m.

Engie will also take an equity stake in the project, alongside leading infrastructure investment firm, Equitix.

Sam Hockman, Divisional COO for Engie’s Places & Communities Division (South) said: “We are delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder by Kingston University for this major placemaking contract in the further education sector.

“The progressive nature of the project has allowed us to bring together Engie’s unique combination of expertise in energy, services and regeneration, in a way which will have far-reaching benefits for the university and those who study there.

“We look forward to delivering our robust and innovative solutions, working together with the University to bring their vision to life and enhance the overall university experience for students.”

Refurbishment and building work will commence in June 2019, with an anticipated completion date of August 2021.

The deal comes just after Gentoo Housing Association appointed the regeneration firm to deliver a four-year housing improvement programme across Sunderland.

More than 1,500 homes are earmarked for significant improvement works