Date of issue: 2nd June 2009

POLARIS INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS WIN EUR16.M CONTRACT WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION

A consortium of 34 firms from Polaris International, of which Clement Keys is a member, has won a framework contract to audit selected beneficiaries under the EC’s Research and Technical Development (RTD) fund.  The framework contract is worth up to Eur16.m over its lifespan of 4 years.  The contract was won in competition against members of the Big Four and mid-tier international networks.  

The RTD fund is one of the EC’s largest operational budgets, covering the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 (FP6).  Total budgeted expenditure under the RTD fund amounts to Eur 17.5bn.  The aim of the FP6 financial audits is to provide assurance to the EC that research and development funds, including Euratom (European Atomic Energy Community) research and training, have been spent as intended and in accordance with the terms of contracts.  Audits will take place in the current 27 EU member states and 9 other countries (either associate or candidate EU members) and potentially further afield.  

The EC’s research programme involves a wide variety of organisations ranging from major listed companies and SMEs to universities and national research institutes.  Areas of research activity covered by FP6 are as diverse as health, transport, technology and communications, and food quality and safety.  Alan Robertson, a partner in Clement Keys, will be responsible for conducting all FP6 financial audits in England in a geographical area stretching from Oxfordshire north to the Scottish border.  

Mr Robertson said:  “We are delighted to continue our already successful partnership with the European Commission.  Its continued trust and confidence in our abilities is testament to the combined efforts of all participating firms in building a real team and operating on a consistent high quality and timely basis.”  

Polaris International firms have previously undertaken the audit contracts for the EC’s RTD (covering mainly the 4th and 5th and 6th Framework) and Enlargement programmes, and currently hold the audit contract for the Humanitarian Aid programme.

David Frame, Chairman of Polaris International, said:  “The continued achievements of the participating Polaris International firms in working successfully with the European Commission on this and other contracts demonstrates the level of technical qualities, skills and experience within the Association.  It shows again that we can successfully compete against any of our competitors and peers; offering a quality product that potential clients like, on a scale that many might not otherwise believe.  We are so much more than the simple sum of our parts.”