Amey Setting the Gold Benchmark in National Highways Procurement Excellence
Amey has once again proven it’s not just playing the game — it’s changing it. In a resounding affirmation of its procurement prowess and operational excellence, Amey has been awarded the coveted Gold Standard in the 2024 National Highways Strategic Supplier Procurement Plan (SSPP) assessment.
For anyone in the infrastructure and construction sectors, this accolade isn’t just another feather in the cap. It’s a powerful nod to best-in-class supply chain governance, strategic planning, and industry leadership.
The Gold Standard isn’t handed out lightly. It’s the result of a tough-as-nails review process that scrutinises every aspect of a company’s operations. From how they manage subcontractors to their long-term planning and contracting strategies, the SSPP assessment is exhaustive. For Amey to score a perfect 28 out of 28? That speaks volumes.
What the Gold Standard Really Means
Developed by National Highways in 2022, the Gold Standard framework aims to drive greater commercial and procurement maturity across its entire supply chain. It’s all about ensuring that suppliers can deliver quality consistently, efficiently, and fairly — regardless of the pressures.
Andrew Stephenson, Procurement Director at National Highways, shed some light on the framework’s intent: “The National Highways Gold Standard was developed in 2022 and is aimed at increasing the commercial and procurement maturity of our supply chain. Suppliers need to meet all requirements within the assessment to achieve Gold status so this is no small task and ultimately results in a more mature, capable and resilient supply chain.”
He continued: “Amey has been successful in demonstrating their alignment to all of our assessment criteria which focuses on evidencing best practice approaches across key areas such as strategic procurement; subcontractor performance management, demand and operational planning as well as contracting strategy.”
In short, this isn’t a tick-box exercise. It’s a deep dive into the engine room of how a company runs its procurement and supply chain operations.
A Team Effort with a Clear Vision
Behind this Gold Standard win is a clear, company-wide culture of quality, fairness, and collaboration. Amey’s Strategic Highways Business Director, Stephen Knott, offered his take on what the achievement represents: “We are thrilled to have achieved the Gold Standard in the National Highways SSPP assessment. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams to build long-lasting, collaborative relationships with the supply chain. We care about our suppliers, we drive quality, we drive fairness, and we ensure we’re consistent in our performance metrics, because we truly understand the impact and outcomes of our services.”
It’s a powerful message — one that underlines the value of people, relationships, and trust in delivering strategic infrastructure.
What Set Amey Apart?
The Gold Standard isn’t awarded for effort alone; it’s earned through tangible evidence of excellence. Here’s what tipped the scale in Amey’s favour:
- Perfect Score: Achieving 28 out of 28 in the assessment is no easy feat.
- Collaborative Supply Chain Management: Strong, mutually beneficial relationships with subcontractors and suppliers.
- Strategic Procurement: A mature approach to procurement planning and contract management.
- Operational Resilience: Proven ability to maintain consistent, high-quality performance across diverse projects.
This holistic performance demonstrates Amey’s role as a forward-thinking infrastructure partner.
Why It Matters for the Industry
The construction and infrastructure sectors are under growing pressure to deliver more, faster, and with fewer resources. That means procurement practices have to evolve from cost-cutting exercises to strategic enablers of success.
Amey’s Gold Standard achievement sets a powerful example for others in the field:
- Raises the bar for what clients should expect from suppliers.
- Encourages best practices in subcontractor management and collaboration.
- Highlights the importance of transparency, fairness, and operational discipline.
And let’s not forget, a more capable and resilient supply chain benefits everyone — from local authorities to the communities using the infrastructure.
Driving Better Outcomes Together
Amey’s success isn’t just a win for the company; it’s a win for collaboration across the board. By working closely with clients and supply chain partners, Amey is fostering a culture where shared goals lead to shared success.
This isn’t lip service. Their consistent track record in delivering critical infrastructure — from highways to rail and beyond — shows that they walk the talk. Whether it’s through innovation in project delivery, emphasis on sustainability, or pushing the envelope in digital transformation, Amey has its eyes on the future.
The Road Ahead Looks Promising
So, what’s next? Well, Amey’s Gold Standard recognition is likely to have ripple effects. It sets a new benchmark for procurement practices and supplier engagement in the UK highways sector.
For other suppliers, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Embracing similar high standards can unlock greater trust with clients, lead to stronger partnerships, and ultimately, better outcomes for everyone involved.
As public and private sectors continue to navigate the complex terrain of infrastructure delivery, shining examples like Amey offer a roadmap to follow.
Keeping Momentum Alive
Staying at the top is often harder than getting there. But if Amey’s commitment to procurement excellence, operational discipline, and collaborative culture is anything to go by, they’re not just resting on their laurels.
They’re paving the way forward.
