Innovation Chain North (ICN) is a framework for construction and associated professional services procured under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. It has been designed to support the delivery of new homes and associated social infrastructure across the North of England. The framework includes lots for contractors, associated professional services.
Great Places Housing Group (GPHG) set up and manage the ICN framework to service our requirements and those of other clients. As a framework, we enable a compliant procurement route to the delivery of high quality, sustainable homes that meet the current and future needs of our residents. We encourage innovation, benefit from collaborative working, achieve efficiencies and aim to deliver consistent and sustainable job creation and training in the communities that we work for the benefit our residents.
Achievement of value for money outcomes which are benchmarked across the framework
Access to an efficient way to achieve best practice procurement and funding compliance
Clearly defined social value pledges and provision of management tools to maximise the opportunities we have to add social value to all of our work
Centralised performance management of suppliers through the use of KPIs
Monitoring and collation of supplier due diligence documentation
A culture of innovation and continuous improvement
Collaboration with sector peers to share learning and experiences
Access to up to date standardised information, which includes service briefs for professional services; appointment letters; suite of JCT and direct works order contracts; standard house types including non NDSS and NDSS designs; a design guide; employers requirements; social value management tool and KPI templates.
Joanne Whitehead (Development Performance Manager) – responsible for managing the framework.
Joanne has worked in affordable housing for most of her career. Using the experience, knowledge and learning gained from her involvement on the ICNW framework, Joanne was very much involved in designing the new ICN framework. Joanne is responsible for the day to day management of the framework along with performance management within the Development Team.
Rick Clark (Head of Procurement) – responsible for procurement compliance.
Rick has over 10 years experience of procurement in the social housing sector, and leads Great Places’ Procurement Team. Rick is responsible for ensuring that Great Places’ procurement is compliant with UK Legislation and delivers value for money, along with leading on Social Value generation though Great Places’ supply chain. Rick and his team helped develop and realise the latest ICN framework, ensuring that compliance and Social Value are at the heart of the new framework offer.
Nick Cumberland (Head of Programme) – responsible for senior leadership support.
Nick has worked in housing and regeneration for over 20 years, delivering a wide range of regeneration, development, and housing programmes and projects. Nick’s role at Great Places is to help manage the ICN framework alongside heading up their development programmes and leading on grant funding opportunities.
Nick Gornall (Director of Development) – responsible director.
Nick has over 10 years experience working in affordable housing development. Nick’s role at Great Places is to support the leadership and operation of the ICN framework alongside overseeing the identification and delivery of Great Places affordable housing development.
Innovation Chain framework principle founded by Great Places.
Innovation Chain North West (ICNW) framework jointly procured by four like minded registered providers. Great Places, Adactus (now Jigsaw Homes Group), Plus Dane and Harvest (now Your Housing Group).
Innovation Chain North West (ICNW) framework solely procured by Great Places. 17 clients joined the framework which supported the delivery of more than 4,000 new homes with expenditure in excess of £400m.
Innovation Chain North (ICN) framework launches with a new geographical reach expanding into the East of England. The framework renewal process saw a 56% increase in bidders seeking to deliver works and services. Following a robust evaluation process we awarded a place on the framework to 113 successful suppliers.
Following a successful 2020-2024 framework and an extensive procurement process, the Innovation Chain North (ICN) framework relaunches with the introduction of a new apartment specialist contractor lot as well as two new consultancy lots; C10 M&E Engineer and C11 Retrofit Consultant.