Secures commission on Hong Kong hospital project

22 October 2012

Sweett Group plc

("Sweett Group" or "the Group")

Sweett Group secures commission on 190,000m2 Hong Kong hospital project

Sweett Group, in the international property and infrastructure consultancy, has secured a commission to provide cost management services on a 190,000m2 hospital development in Hong Kong.

Working on behalf of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, Sweett Group will provide a full range of cost management services on the expansion and refurbishment of the United Christian Hospital (UCH), including cost planning, tender preparation and reporting, contract documentation, payment valuations, financial reporting and potential contractual claims management.

The Hospital Authority is the statutory body responsible for managing Hong Kong's public hospitals and is accountable to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. At present, the Authority employs around 59,000 staff, managing 41 hospitals and over 120 out-patient clinics. In total, the Authority provides 27,000 beds, the equivalent of approximately four beds for every 1,000 Hong Kong residents.

UCH was established in 1972 and is a regional general hospital providing acute, extended care, emergency and community medical services. The Hospital Authority's HK$ 7.7 billion (GBP 600 million) investment in UCH will bring the latest in medical technology and services to residents of East Kowloon. 

Spanning over ten years, the project includes the construction of a new emergency department and an extension and refurbishment to existing facilities. The works will increase the capacity of the hospital from 1,400 to 1,700 beds. 

Michael Yu, Director with responsibility for the Group's work on the UCH project, said:

"We are very pleased to be supporting the Hospital Authority on one of its largest projects. There are a number of challenges involved with a scheme of this complexity, including the size and location of the existing buildings that need to be demolished before full refurbishment and construction works can begin. We will be working with the project team to ensure the construction phasing is carried out in such a way that minimises the impact on the hospital's day-to-day operations."

Kim Berry, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, said:

"The health sector is one of the Group's largest global areas of expertise, with high-profile commissions across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. The sector represented almost 20% of our revenue in the last financial year and currently makes up around 12% of our forward order book.

"I'm particularly proud of our health team for securing the UCH commission announced today, our second major project on behalf of the Hospital Authority, following our work on the Yan Chai Hospital."

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For further information:

Sweett Group plc Kim Berry, Managing Director +852 3166 9107Theo Kjellberg, Group Communications Manager +44 20 7061 9102

FTI ConsultingBilly Clegg, Oliver Winters, Latika Shah +44 20 7831 3113

About Sweett Group

Sweett Group plc is a global business with expertise in property and infrastructure professional services. Our services include programme and project management, cost management, advisory and PPP/PFI investment.

We aim to forge long term, successful relationships with all stakeholders in the property and infrastructure industry. "Global knowhow, local delivery" is the essence of our business and our reach enables us to put global best practice to use in the local markets we serve.

Sweett Group operates across mainland China and Hong Kong through its twelve offices in Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Wuhan and Hong Kong.

www.sweettgroup.com