School of Health Sciences, City University

Executive summary

The School of Health Science at City University London is a world-leading centre for healthcare education and applied healthcare research. Based in central London, the School offers state-of-the-art clinical skills facilities, academic excellence and a diverse student body – from those taking their first steps in healthcare to practitioners with many years’ experience in their field. Universal has a longstanding relationship with several large academic institutes and is well-versed in specialist library and laboratory moves.

Challenges

The School of Health Science move at City University London saw the relocation of 300 staff and 100 PhD students from Whitechapel and West Smithfield, Tait building and other locations throughout the campus in tandem with an internal reorganisation of staff in the School’s new headquarters in Myddleton Street. Moving laboratories, academics and researchers involves the movement of vast quantities of books, materials and paperwork alongside sensitive and fragile equipment. Doing this during major refurbishment works being carried out in the buildings added further challenges. Close liaison with other contractors and internal departments was essential at all times throughout the move to ensure the most efficient move scenario. Many of the departments moving also had their own specialist equipment to be moved separately to laboratories and examination rooms including Health Services Research, Language and Communication Science, Midwifery, Nursing, Optometry and Radiography.

How Universal delivered

Throughout the relocation project, work was carried out during major refurbishments and required interim relocations to be carried out with interim reconfigurations being set up. An in-depth knowledge of different furniture systems, together with flexibility and speed of delivery were key components in the service provided by Universal. Project timeframes and schedules were greatly impacted by refurbishment hold-ups and delays. To accommodate this Universal had to be incredibly flexible and responsive to the School’s daily operational requirements.

Results, Return on Investment and Future Plans

Universal’s flexibility allowed us to change project plans on a regular basis as necessary and enable the team to continue working, which in turn allowed building work to continue around us, thereby minimising delays and costs to the client. Regularly updating Risk Analyses and Method Statements for the move, coupled with Universal’s ability to respond quickly to changing customer requirements and a changing environment allowed the client to catch up on lost time caused by other delays, thereby avoiding overruns and project creep and minimising any negative impact on the project budget.

Client feedback

Kjell Horn (Project and Governance Manager) “Universal managed the numerous office relocations for the School of Health Sciences and we could not have asked for more. They were professional, friendly and gave real added value. Our needs were constantly changing but they were quick to respond and the whole team remained smiling throughout the various challenges. More importantly they offered us great advice about the decant planning which was above and beyond what we expected. I would not hesitate to recommend their fantastic service to any company.”