In the final instalment of our Key Account Manager Spotlight Series, we will be getting to know Natalie Palframan, who is responsible for supporting the development of projects in the North.
Natalie started her role as Key Account Manager with Procure Partnerships Framework in January 2021, making her the newest member of the team. Natalie joined with a wealth of knowledge and a great understanding of the construction tendering environment, with five year’s experience working for a Main Contractor who specialised in delivering public sector projects.
How would you describe your role?
“My role as Key Account Manager is to provide advice and guidance to my clients to understand their capital project aspirations. This in-turn allows me to support with forward planning and provide advice on procurement strategies to determine the best suited procurement route for a project. I enjoy assisting clients to hit key milestones along the way in the lead up to tender issue, to ultimately ensure they can access a robust tender list.”
What areas do you cover and what do you like most about being Key Account Manager of the North?
“I look after the North, which includes the North West, North East, Yorkshire and North Wales.
My favourite thing about the North currently I would have to say, is the amount of exciting development plans and master plans which are happening across the region. There has been lots of investment allocated to the public sector, especially as we come out of lockdown and being from the North myself, I am passionate about seeing the region thrive and supporting my public sector clients to carry out these projects. Since my time here, I have met so many fantastic people, both client-side and the consultants working to develop projects. It’s always great to be able to grab a brew and have a good honest conversation about projects and key aspirations to provide the right advice!”
Procure Partnerships originally only operated in the North before going National in 2019, so who are some of your existing framework users?
“Some of our users include Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Lancashire Constabulary, The Deans Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, Halton Borough Council, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS, Greater Manchester Police, Hugh Baird College, Oldham Borough Council, Eureka Children’s Museum, Cardinal Newman College, Irwell Valley Housing, Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service, Rochdale Metropolitan Council, Bolton College, Salford City Council, Trafford College Group.”
What are your top three progressing / completed projects?
1. Crewe Fire Station with Cheshire Fire and Rescue: “This is the first project I supported when I started my role here. It is currently in pre-construction with our contractor partner ISG Construction and due to start on site soon. I am particularly proud to have supported this scheme as the project will provide the community with a brand new facility enabling the Fire Service to carry out the vital work that they do.”
2. Llys Awelon (Phase 2) With Grwp Cynefin: “The £8M Extra Care Scheme project is being undertaken by our contractor partner, Read for Housing Provider; Grwp Cynefin.This is the first project with Grwp Cynefin that we have supported, and the project is to deliver much-needed Extra Care Apartments in North Wales. Extra Cares are vital for enabling older persons to live an independent life whilst having access to support which is specific to their needs, so I’m really proud to be supporting this project!”
3. The Rotherham NHS Trust programme of works: “I have also recently supported The Rotherham NHS Trust to procure our contractor partner Illingsworth & Gregory to carry out a programme of works across the hospital site. It has been a hugely successful procurement exercise, satisfying the needs of the Trust to deliver projects in quick succession during the pandemic.”
“Each of these projects have had an emphasis on Social Value too, which is something else I am passionate about. It’s really rewarding to see the projects we’re supporting make a wider impact across the community.”
What type of projects do you hope to work on in the future?
“I am keen to support more Net Zero Carbon projects across the region. I am having more and more conversations with public sector clients about the requirement to deliver buildings which operate at Net Zero Carbon, so I am excited to see which projects come out in the future in line with these requirements. It’s really important that we work with our contractor partners to ensure they are prepared for this step-change in design, in order to respond to the rising climate emergency.
I am also an advocate for procuring schemes under a programme of works. I have found this is particularly useful for healthcare clients, as they often have a number of projects which need completing across the same site at the same time, or in close succession. Appointing a contractor to a programme of projects under a single procurement exercise has the benefit of cost savings and better programme control, ultimately resulting in high quality facilities which are handed over on time. This also supports the NHS through providing the right facilities that they need and deserve to continue delivering fantastic services.”
You can learn more about the benefits of batching projects together for a programme of works here.
Outside of work tell us about yourself!
“I grew up in North Wales and I have one older Sister, Sophie and I now have a baby Niece, Leni. I spend a lot of time with her in my free time, she’s the only baby in the family so it’s safe to say I spoil her! I am a big animal lover, I have a pet tortoise called Lois, and 2 cats; Peggy and Freddie (who became my co-workers during lockdown, albeit they were a bit lazy)!
In my spare time I play Rounders in a local league, and I also represent Wales. I’ve played Rounders since I was 11 years old, I love team sport so I’m glad that I have kept it up and I hope I will continue to do so for many years!
I am a huge advocate for supporting local independent businesses, coffee shops, hairdressers, leisure facilities and everything in-between! I’ll always choose local where I can. I am a member of an independent family-owned Gym, which I enjoy going to early in the morning before the working day starts.
In the future I would love to travel more pockets of Europe and the UK. I have previously spent some time travelling Asia and Australia and it made me appreciate how lucky we are in the UK to have so many fascinating countries ‘on our door-step’ so I will look forward to more City Breaks now that travel restrictions allow.“
If you would like to get in touch with Natalie to discuss working with Procure Partnerships Framework in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and North Wales She will be happy to hear from you and can be reached directly by email: natalie@procurepartnerships.co.uk or phone: 0795 699 8799
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Natalie Palframan, the Key Account Manager for the North of England at PPF, boasts nearly a decade of invaluable experience within the construction industry. In her dynamic role, Natalie has spent three impactful years at PPF, where her passion lies in closely collaborating with public sector clients across the North, providing expert advice and guidance for their projects.
