Lessons from UK PFI and real estate partnerships: drivers, barriers and critical success factors

Large scale outsourcing of public infrastructure through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI)represents the most radical change in UK public procurement policy in the last ten years and has been extended into corporate real estate outsourcing through Real Estate Partnerships (REPs). Research by The College of Estate Management (funded by the Foundation for the Built Environment) shows that the successes and difficulties associated with PFI and REPs provide opportunities to learn from experience and translate best practice into future projects. The study is based on a comprehensive literature review, case studies of best practice, and 21 in-depth interviews with senior representatives from public and private sector organisations.