South East Essex College in Southend was spread over four sites, in old buildings which were costly to maintain, energy inefficient and involved staff and students wasting time moving between buildings. In 2002, the college decided it needed a new single building in order to deliver the modern day curriculum more efficiently.

The college, however, suffered a shortfall in funding and, although it was asset rich, it was cash poor. This is where John Laing was able to help. The company was able to procure a purchaser for the college’s existing sites, at a guaranteed minimum price, enabling the company to construct the new building as a Public Private Partnership project.