Fulkers Bailey Russell and Ward Williams launch FulWard joint venture for CPS2 framework

Fulkers Bailey Russell has launched FulWard, a joint venture with Ward Williams that will offer multidisciplinary consultancy to public sector clients across the UK through Lot 1 of the Construction Professional Services 2 framework.

Fulkers said the venture combines project, programme and cost management, building surveying and advisory services, with specialist design support drawn from a network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Its strapline is "Purpose built. Powered by SMEs."

The joint venture provides its services through Lot 1, General Infrastructure and Built Environment, of the framework, which FulWard's own website attributes to the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) under the name CPS2. FulWard says it is the only partnership on Lot 1 that is SME and B Corp led.

Ward Williams partner Caroline Lassen leads the Ward Williams side of the venture, which the firm says was purpose built to serve the CPS2 framework. FulWard's site names Craig Terry as framework lead and a board member.

The framework

According to the GCA, the Construction Professional Services 2 agreement, reference RM6356, is a closed framework giving access to advisory services in support of building and civil engineering projects. It started on 17 April 2026 and runs to 16 April 2030.

The GCA says Lot 1 provides a range of construction professional services at discrete delivery stages for projects throughout the UK.

FulWard sets out on its website why it believes the route suits public sector buyers. It says the framework offers a compliant direct award facility where services need to be procured quickly, has no minimum contract value or fixed call-off length, and allows commonly used contract forms to be used and amended.

Suppliers were pre-tendered on qualitative and commercial measures, with capped rates for overheads, profit and resource time, the JV says, and the framework is based on the Framework Alliance Contract to encourage collaboration between clients and suppliers.

The partners

FulWard describes its two founders as like-minded independent consultancies with 80 years of combined experience. According to the JV, its SME leadership brings more than 300 professionals and £3bn of live projects, while its wider delivery network comprises 3,000 professionals and £10bn of live projects.

Fulkers Bailey Russell was established in 1998 and became a Certified B Corporation in October 2023, according to its website. Ward Williams describes itself as a B Corp certified, Queen's Award winning, multi-disciplinary consultancy with more than 170 professionals in eight UK offices.

Companies House records the vehicle as FULWARD JV LTD, with four officers and no resignations. Fulkers Bailey Russell LLP and Ward Williams Associates LLP are both listed as corporate directors.

Fulkers said the launch coincides with the unveiling of FulWard's website, which sets out the business, its services and its delivery model. The RM6356 framework through which the venture will trade has an end date of 16 April 2030.