Real estate consultancy Concert has launched a new Utilities Service, with a particular focus on responding to the need for more cost-efficient and effective management with seamless methods of managing power and water supplies.

Concert’s expertise in Utilities Management will enhance its current service offering of Project Management, Cost Management, Principal Designer and Development Management. This part of the business will be headed up by Mark Costello, who has over 15 years’ experience in the construction industry.

He says: “We are delighted to now be able to offer clients a comprehensive Utilities Service. Our priority is ensuring projects run as stress-free as possible from start to finish and managing this aspect of a project allows us to achieve this for the client with ease.”

As recent press reports have shown, the utility companies and the grid are coming under increased pressure. The UK, and many parts of Europe, are seeing a significant reduction in spare capacity and infrastructure availability. By improving grid stability and supporting the growth of renewable energy, the UK can help create a more secure energy future for everyone in the built environment.

The value of Concert’s newly launched Utilities team lies in managing and advising from initial site acquisition, right through to procurement, construction and project completion, on all matters relating to power and water.

Concert’s aim is to make clients’ life easier by providing a one stop shop which covers all essential services, reducing the need for having a long list of consultants involved in the process. This joined-up approach takes all the pressure off our clients; Concert becomes the sole ‘port of call’ for dealing with statutory bodies as well as managing all water, electric and gas solutions on a project, providing a trusted essential link between each of these organisations.

Concert has in depth knowledge of the unique set of regulations that each utility provider has to adhere to, and is able to seamlessly manage this process, working with designers, legal and finance teams and local authorities to drive projects through to conclusion ensuring all requirements are met.

Concert is currently overseeing the power connection on several large data centre projects including new sub-stations, sub-station relocations and upgrades. Concert is managing these schemes from concept design stage through construction, to energisation and project completion.

Mark Costello will lead an experienced team who have acted as Project Managers and Contract Administrators on NEC, FIDIC and JCT contracts.  With highly developed project management skills across various sectors from inception through to completion, the team will efficiently deliver results and manage excellent working relationships with all parties whilst ensuring that projects effectively meet the client’s requirements.