• Key horticulture and grounds maintenance contract awarded to idverde for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Public Realm.
• £24 million contract over eight years.

More than 10 years on from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London Legacy Development Corporation has awarded the contract for the horticulture and grounds maintenance for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding public realm to idverde.

The £24m, eight-year contract, has been awarded to idverde following a rigorous LLDC procurement process, and will cover the operation of its world-class parklands and public realm, including large scale, complex horticulture and grounds maintenance, facilities management and a volunteering programme, as the Park enters the next phase of its journey.

idverde will support nature restoration, increased biodiversity and wildlife into the Park, the development of new planted areas such as the London Blossom Garden, and a succession of apprenticeships and job opportunities. idverde have expertise in managing complex community spaces and are looking at the introduction of cleaner equipment, including robotic mowers, an increase in job opportunities, and a continuation of local, regional and national partnerships.

Mark Camley, Executive Director of Park Operations and Venues at LLDC, said: “We are pleased to have awarded this prestigious and high value contract to idverde which is critically important to the long-term legacy of the award-winning Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and look forward to continue working with excellent suppliers such as idverde delivering an exemplar level of service.

“We are proud of being awarded Green Flag status for the last eight years. This was an opportunity to ensure we have the right contract in place for the Park, maintaining the high standards of service delivery and driving best value for the taxpayer and local communities.”

UK CEO of idverde Kristian Lennard, said:  “Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is not like other parks. It fulfils a range of needs from a place of sanctuary for visitors, to high-profile events. It is home to residents and an increasing number of animal, bird and plant life.  We are delighted LLDC has recognised the passion and opportunity we want to bring to this important area of London.  Breathing life into our cities and suburbs, creating places where people and nature can thrive together, is key to our ambition. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a wonderful demonstration of that ambition.”

idverde’s Organic Development Director Saul Huxley, said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the provider of grounds maintenance services for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In awarding this contract, LLDC has recognised the passion, teamwork and practical delivery idverde intends on bringing to the project; alongside the valuable partnership opportunities with the RSPB in creating biodiverse habitats and volunteer opportunities in order to enhance the Park’s true potential”

LLDC was looking to appoint a service provider that will deliver maintenance to all hard standings, roads and footpaths, bridges and other infrastructure, fencing, walls and gates, drainage, un-adopted utilities, signage, street and park furniture, canal banks and waterways.

The scope of this contract covers the external areas of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park including Infrastructure and Parkland and key buildings. The scope includes Stratford Waterfront and the Stadium Island areas of the Park. There may be future requirement to extend the scope for services to other parkland within the remit of the GLA. 

LLDC operates Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park utilising a number of different service contracts that have been let from the Park’s inception; some prior to London 2012 and some as the Park has evolved into its current form post-Games.

Notes to editors:

Spread across 560 acres of stunning parklands, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is home to beautifully landscaped gardens, historic waterways, famous sporting venues, a vibrant arts and events programme and the ArcelorMittal Orbit visitor attraction.

As the new heart of east London, the Park is still transforming, providing homes, jobs and an unrivalled education and cultural district housing Sadler’s Wells, BBC, V&A East, UAL’s London College of Fashion and UCL East.

The London Legacy Development Corporation promotes and delivers physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding area by maximising the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 For more information visit our website (QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk), sign up to our e-newsletter (QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk/subscribe), follow us on Twitter (@noordinarypark) and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/QueenElizabethOlympicPark)

About idverde

idverde is Europe’s leading provider of grounds maintenance services and landscape creation projects, with an annual turnover of €700m and in excess of 7,000 colleagues operating throughout France, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands.  The company offers a holistic range of services to support the creation, maintenance and management of landscapes throughout the UK, working with both public and private sector clients to deliver bespoke solutions for each project’s unique challenges. idverde’s clients in the UK include more than 200 public bodies and 55 housing associations, The Royal Parks in London, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Glasgow Airport and more than 100 blue-chip private sector businesses such as Vivo and Veolia.