Wragge & Co advises Birmingham City University on management outsourcing deal for its new flagship sports centre complex

Wragge & Co LLP has advised Birmingham City University on the outsourcing of facilities management services for its new £8 million sports centre to international service company Serco.

Under the new 10-year agreement, the FTSE 100 company will run both the flagship new complex and Birmingham City University's existing Pavilion sports facility in Perry Barr. Adjacent to the University's City North Campus, the new centre offers students, employees and the local community state-of-the-art facilities including an all-weather pitch and an indoor sports hall which can house eight badminton courts. It also features three dance studios and an 80-station fitness suite.

A cross-firm team worked closely with Birmingham City University's project manager Steve Bradley and pro vice-chancellor Professor David Maguire. Outsourcing specialists Anita Adam, Andy Poppleton and Clare Woolley advised on the commercial agreement. Partner Mark Chester and associate Catherine Hood provided expert advice on the property structuring issues. Other areas of expertise involved included construction and employment.

Anita Adam said: "The success of outsourcing agreements relies on the specialist negotiation skills of the lawyers involved. The team's in-depth sector focus and leisure expertise ensured a robust and flexible legal solution was produced within a tight timescale."

Professor David Maguire added: "This is a flagship facility for the university and we really wanted the best people to manage this service. Securing leisure sector experts Serco was crucial and our team of lawyers played a very important role negotiating a deal that will bring benefits to all parties."

DLA advised Serco. Associate director for Strategic Leisure, Kevin Franklin (a specialist in sports centre management and outsourcing) also advised the university on the project management, tendering and other sports centre related matters.

Wragge & Co has advised Birmingham City University on real estate matters since 2006 as part of the university's longer-term estates strategy. The firm is currently advising the university on the construction of its new £100 million city centre campus, to be located on a 37,000 sq m site in Birmingham's Eastside.

This deal is the latest in a number of significant West Midlands matters, including advising Birmingham City Council on its purchase of the Pallasades Shopping Centre from Warner Estate Holdings PLC.