CHARTERED quantity surveyors, RNJ Partnership, has secured contracts in West Yorkshire worth more than £2.5m, thanks to a new partnering philosophy.

The aim of partnering is to bring together all of the various groups involved within the construction process to create a single body, known as the project team.

The process has led to Newcastle-based RNJ winning the contract for 35 houses and flats in West Yorkshire for The Home Group.

RNJ has already been involved with schemes of this kind for other clients, including Three Rivers Housing Association, Anchor Trust and Sir John Fitzgeraid Limited.

John Gibson, a partner at RNJ, said: "The main objective of partnering is to break down the divisions which have traditionally existed within the construction industry, and create a new culture of mutual co-operation and trust. For this to truly succeed long-term relationships are required, based upon a clear measurement of performance and a willingness of all parties to strive for sustained improvements in quality and efficiency."

With Government policy encouraging partnering arrangements and many clients now keen to learn about and adopt these new ideals it seems that partnering arrangements will play a big part in the way the industry operates in the future.