Pictured: Martin Corbett, Derwent FM MD

Derby-based Derwent Living and its facilities management company Derwent FM is one of the first to benefit following new Government guidelines into the way public services are outsourced.

Derwent Living won a £1.65 million contract with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to provide office support services at its Nottingham headquarters.

In its SME action plan, the Government aims to ensure each of its departments will do 25% of its business with SMEs. 

Martin Corbett, Derwent FM managing director, said: "Derwent Living is a not-for-profit SME which won this contract despite being up against much larger competitors in a reverse auction 'open' procurement process.

"The win came directly after the Government's changes to the way it buys in goods and services in future. We are delighted to be among the first businesses to win a contract in this manner, and to be mentioned on the Cabinet Office website as an example of how the process will work."

In a two-year contract, Derwent FM will provide file storage, secretarial and postal services at the Castle Meadows site in Nottingham where there are a number of HMRC's directorates and 2,400 office based civil servants.

Derwent FM, a subsidiary of housing provider Derwent Living was launched in June 2010 and has already been awarded a number of contracts across the UK. 

Martin Corbett, managing director of Derwent FM says: "Derwent FM has had a very successful year, and this prestigious contract underlines our innovative and personalised approach which align with the groups vision and values."

Derwent FM was formed through a unique partnership between Martin Corbett and Derby-based housing provider Derwent Living.