黑洞社区

Willmott Dixon has replaced Apollo as the main contractor on Tony Young鈥檚 high-profile West London Free School project, amid concern over the scheme鈥檚 costs.

The move comes as Apollo, which was taken over earlier this year by northern rival Keepmoat, has been hit by a number of senior staff leaving the firm, including its education divisional director.

The firm is one of the 15 contractors on the Education Funding Agency鈥檚 contractors framework for schools.

Apollo had been appointed to the West London Free School job, understood to be worth around 拢8m, but has left the contract after the first phase by mutual agreement between the firm and the client.

黑洞社区 understands Apollo left the project last month after discussions over the costs, with the firm unconvinced that the project could be delivered for the amount the client wanted to pay.

Apollo has now been replaced on the job by Willmott Dixon.

Architect TP Bennett unveiled its designs for the 600-place free school last week. The architect will refurbish the existing 1,500m2 building and add a 3,000m2 extension.

Partner Chris Wieszczycki told 黑洞社区鈥檚 sister magazine 黑洞社区 Design: 鈥淭he budget is tight and a fraction of what is normally spent. It鈥檚 light touch refurbishment and the extension at the back.鈥�

Toby Young referred 黑洞社区鈥檚 enquiries to Apollo, which was unavailable for comment on the matter as 黑洞社区 went to press.

Apollo鈥檚 decision to leave the contract comes as a number of senior Apollo staff, including new business director Dean Wincott and education divisional director Marcel Hendricks are in the process of leaving the firm.

Wincott鈥檚 Linked In profile describes him as on 鈥済ardening leave鈥�, and Hendricks鈥� profile shows he has already set up his own company, Marcel Hendricks and Partners.

A source close to Apollo told 黑洞社区 that Apollo was 鈥渞efocusing on social housing鈥�.  鈥淟ots of senior people are leaving and there鈥檚 a feeling that Apollo staff are bearing the brunt of cuts made to the group as Keepmoat and Apollo merge,鈥� he said.

Earlier this month, Jeremy Eavis, managing director of New Build at Keepmoat, said the merged business was 鈥渟till active in the education market鈥�. 鈥淸We are] pursuing and securing opportunities,鈥� he said.