info@a2badvisory.com.au

Specialists in end of term PPPs and Managed Services

Defensible & Robust Strategy, Planning & Transactions. Value for Money Outcomes.

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Specialist ExpertisePPP & MSA focused
Independent AdviceObjective. Practical. Trusted.
Better OutcomesFor communities and stakeholders
End to End SupportFrom strategy to transition

Who We Are

Turning hindsight into insight

Our focus is simple — We help you determine and transition to the best long-term service delivery outcome for your critical assets and services.

We see a long term contract expiry as a strategic inflection point that creates an opportunity to reassess future service delivery, asset stewardship, commercial outcomes and operational performance.

The challenge is not simply replacing an expiring contract.

The challenge is determining and implementing the optimal future operating model while preserving service continuity, value for money and strategic flexibility through the procurement and transition approach.

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Melbourne - the city we are proud to call home

What We Do

Tailored advice for end of term PPPs and Managed Services

Strategy & Planning

Early strategy, planning and options assessment to set you up for a successful transaction

Transaction Readiness

Plan and assess end of term readiness, identify information asymmetry gaps and design realistic implementation plans

Contract & Commercial Advice

Independent commercial advice at every stage

Market Engagement

Strategically plan for and support engagement with the incumbent and/or market. Develop Negotiations Strategies & Value for Money Frameworks

Transition Delivery

Plan and manage the implementation and/or transition to negotiated new arrangements whilst ensuring service continuity and achievement of value outcomes

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Latest Insights

Latest from A2B

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Insight

5 key steps to preparing for end of term success in PPPs and Managed Service arrangements

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Insight

Managing risk in PPP and MSA End of Term transactions

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Insight

Engaging the incumbent & market early: why timing matters

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Ready to start the conversation?

Let's discuss how we can help you achieve the best possible outcome.

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Home Leadership & Advisors

Leadership & Advisors

Our people are our greatest strength. We are commercial advisors, strategists and trusted partners with significant and unique experience helping government and private sector organisations navigate a wide range of end of term PPP and Managed Service arrangements, through initial planning and options assessment, transaction structuring and delivery and transition implementation.

Our Leadership

Brad Akers

Brad Akers

Senior Partner

Brad is a senior advisor with over 25 years experience across PPPs, Managed Services and major infrastructure projects. He specialises in strategic planning and delivery of end of term transactions, governance, commercial & negotiations strategy, commercial structuring and ensuring negotiated outcomes meet client needs and are sustainable for the longer term.

Areas of Expertise

Planning & delivery of PPP & MSA end of term transactions Commercial & Negotiation Strategy Governance & Risk Service Model & Procurement options assessment Stakeholder engagement Contract Management
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Daniel Blakemore

Daniel Blakemore

Senior Partner

Daniel is a specialist commercial advisor whose 25+ years experience spans government delivery agencies, central government and the private sector. He brings particular strength in strategy, financial value analysis and negotiation, helping clients navigate complex commercial, contractual and stakeholder issues across PPP procurement, operations and end-of-term strategy & planning, transaction and transition.

Areas of Expertise

Planning & delivery of PPP & MSA end of term transactions Commercial Advisory Risk Management Market Assessment Commercial Contract structuring Value Optimisation
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Want to work with our team?

We partner with organisations to navigate complexity and deliver better outcomes.

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HomeAbout Us

About A2B Advisory

Specialist advice built on unique experience across the full project lifecycle, including a range of end of term PPP & Managed Service transactions.

Our Story

Unique experience to benefit our clients

A2B Advisory is founded by PPP specialists who grew up working in Melbourne and London and who, after working together for over 12 years, have now joined forces as A2B to share the benefit of their combined experience with clients.

Their decades of combined experience spans the full lifecycle of major infrastructure partnerships. Their experience was initially gained as government and private sector executives responsible for a range of greenfields PPP project transactions and contract/service management and for over 15 years now as senior advisers leading such transactions on behalf of their public or private sector clients.

Our founders have worked on PPP projects from inception: through greenfield procurement, commercial structuring and financial close; into operational and contractual management; across performance, governance and asset-related issues; and now through end-of-term planning, optioneering, government advocacy, transition strategy and future transaction pathways.

That broad project lifecycle, sector and client experience has culminated in a distinct specialisation: uniquely placed to assist government and private sector clients to prepare for, structure and deliver PPP end-of-term arrangements. A2B offers a unique understanding of how such projects were structured, how they have evolved, and what is required to transition them successfully into their next phase.

The first generation of Victorian PPPs have reached maturity, with their EoT planning and transactions largely all led by A2B's senior partners, all with successful outcomes. Similarly, we are seeing many PPP/PFIs maturing across Australia and of course in the UK.

A2B brings specialist and extensive EoT PPP/Managed Services planning and transaction experience, market and policy knowledge and practical judgment required to define and protect value, manage risk and shape the next generation of infrastructure partnerships as more PPPs enter their maturity phase.

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Our Values

What guides us

Independence

We provide objective, unbiased advice. Our only agenda is achieving the best outcome for our clients.

Expertise

Deep, specialist knowledge of PPP and managed service arrangements is the foundation of everything we do.

Partnership

We work alongside our clients as genuine partners, sharing in the complexity and committed to their success.

HomeOur Services

Our Services

Specialist commercial & transaction advisory services for public & private sector clients. Across the full lifecycle of PPP and managed service arrangements - from initial inception to delivery of the greenfields project, contract/services phase, and particularly through the complexity of such projects reaching their end of term.

What We Do

Tailored advice for complex transactions

Strategy & Planning

Early strategy, planning and options assessment to set you up for a successful transaction. We work with clients to define end of term objectives, establish governance frameworks, develop service model options and procurement strategies that minimise risk and protect value throughout the process.

Transaction Readiness

Plan and assess end of term readiness, identify information asymmetry gaps and design realistic implementation plans. We conduct thorough assessments to identify gaps, risks and critical path items — developing practical, actionable transaction plans grounded in commercial and operational reality.

Contract & Commercial Advice

Independent commercial advice at every stage — from contract interpretation and expiry obligations through to commercial structuring, risk allocation, negotiation strategy and lead negotiator support. Assist in developing contract management framework, processes and artefacts.

Market Engagement

Strategically plan for and support engagement with the incumbent and/or market. Develop Negotiations Strategies & Value for Money Frameworks. We help clients develop engagement strategies, manage incumbent relationships with trust and fairness, assess market interest and capability, and prepare procurement documentation to achieve competitive and value-for-money outcomes.

Transition Delivery

Plan and manage the implementation and/or transition to negotiated new arrangements whilst ensuring service continuity and achievement of value outcomes. Hands-on management of the transition process end to end — managing incumbent and incoming provider relationships, stakeholder governance and delivering against milestones with minimal disruption.

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Our Projects

A selection of engagements where A2B Advisory's Senior Partners have delivered successful outcomes for government clients and private sector organisations, whilst navigating complex PPP and managed service transactions, particularly for end of term.

Selected Engagements

Proven results across sectors

Water Infrastructure

AQUA PPP (EoT) Project (2020-26)

Coliban Water | Victorian Government

The AQUA 2000 Project was a 25-year Partnerships Victoria PPP contract between Coliban Water and Veolia to design, build, own, operate and maintain water treatment plants and supporting infrastructure serving Bendigo, Castlemaine and Kyneton.

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Justice & Corrections

Justice Transport Services (EoT) Project (2025-26)

Department of Justice & Regulation | Victorian Government

The Justice Transport Services Project was a market retender of an expiring long term managed service arrangement that provides for the critical transport of persons in custody (adults and youths) within the police, courts and prison system.

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Emergency Services Telecommunications

Metropolitan Mobile Radio Telecommunications PPP (EoT) Project (2016-2018)

Department of Justice & Community Safety | Victorian Government

The MMR network is Victoria's dedicated emergency services secure digital radio network providing mission-critical communications for Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria and other emergency service agencies across metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong. First procured under a Partnerships Victoria PPP model in 2003-4.

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Emergency Services Telecommunications

Mobile Data Network PPP (EoT) Project (2018-2020)

Emergency Management Victoria | Victorian Government

The Mobile Data Network (MDN) was procured in 2003-4 under a Partnerships Victoria PPP arrangement with Motorola Solutions to design, build, finance and maintain a dedicated narrowband mobile data network for Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police across metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong.

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Emergency Services Telecommunications

Emergency Alerting System (EoT) Project (2017-18)

Emergency Management Victoria / Triple Zero Victoria

The Emergency Alerting System (EAS) is a statewide managed services arrangement providing critical alerting and messaging capability to CFA, VICSES, Ambulance Victoria and other emergency service agencies. First procured under a Partnerships Victoria PPP model in 2003-4 it later reverted to a managed service arrangement.

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Justice & Corrections

Port Phillip Prison PPP (EoT) Project (2014-16)

Corrections Victoria | Victorian Government

Port Phillip Prison was one of Victoria's three privately operated prisons, procured under a PPP arrangement with G4S in the late 1990s, providing accommodation and correctional services for maximum security male prisoners.

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Justice & Corrections

Fulham Correctional Centre PPP (EoT) Project (2014-16)

Corrections Victoria | Victorian Government

Fulham Correctional Centre was one of Victoria's three privately operated prisons, procured under a PPP arrangement with GEO in the late 1990s. It provided accommodation and correctional services for minimum to medium security male prisoners.

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Justice & Corrections

Metropolitan Remand Centre PPP Augmentation Project (2016-17)

Corrections Victoria | Victorian Government

The Metropolitan Remand Centre (MRC) one of Victoria's primary prisoner remand facilities.

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HomeProjectsCityLink Motorway

CityLink Motorway End of Term Transition

Transport Infrastructure  ·  Victoria  ·  2023

Project Overview

Delivering a smooth transition for a critical piece of Victoria's transport network

A2B Advisory was engaged by the Victorian Department of Transport to provide specialist end of term advisory for the CityLink motorway concession — one of Australia's most significant urban road PPPs. With the concession approaching its scheduled expiry, the State required expert guidance on transition strategy, asset handback requirements and the procurement pathway for ongoing operations.

Our team worked closely with departmental officials, legal advisors and technical consultants to develop a comprehensive transition framework. This included a detailed review of contractual obligations, an assessment of asset condition requirements at handback, and a risk-adjusted timeline for the procurement process.

The engagement also included facilitating structured negotiations with the incumbent operator regarding end of term obligations, and advising on community and stakeholder communication strategies to manage public expectations throughout the transition period.

Key Outcomes

  • Comprehensive end of term transition strategy delivered on time and within budget
  • Asset handback framework agreed with incumbent operator, avoiding costly disputes
  • Procurement strategy endorsed by Treasury and Ministerial advisors
  • Stakeholder engagement plan adopted as the model for future PPP transitions in the State
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Project Details

Client

Victorian Department of Transport

Sector

Transport Infrastructure

Location

Melbourne, Victoria

Year

2023

Services Delivered

Strategy & Planning Contract Advice Stakeholder Engagement Market Engagement
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HomeProjectsRoyal Brisbane Hospital

Royal Brisbane Hospital Facilities MSA Re-procurement

Health Infrastructure  ·  Queensland  ·  2023

Project Overview

Transforming facilities management outcomes at one of Australia's largest hospitals

Queensland Health engaged A2B Advisory to support the re-procurement of the facilities management managed service arrangement at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital — one of Australia's busiest tertiary hospitals. With an ageing contract no longer delivering value for money, the Department required a strategic approach to market re-engagement and incumbent transition.

Our team conducted a thorough review of the existing contract's performance, identified structural gaps in service delivery and KPI frameworks, and developed a revised commercial model for the new arrangement. We led the market engagement process, including industry briefings and structured dialogue with prospective suppliers.

Managing the transition between incumbent and incoming provider in a live hospital environment required careful planning and close coordination with clinical operations teams to ensure zero service disruption throughout.

Key Outcomes

  • 18% reduction in annual contract value achieved through competitive re-procurement
  • Seamless provider transition with no clinical service impact
  • Redesigned KPI framework adopted across the Queensland Health portfolio
  • Engagement commended by the Queensland Auditor-General for probity and process quality
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Project Details

Client

Queensland Health

Sector

Health Infrastructure

Location

Brisbane, Queensland

Year

2023

Services Delivered

Transition Readiness Market Engagement Transition Delivery Commercial Advice
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HomeProjectsNSW Schools PPP

NSW Schools PPP Handback Advisory

Social Infrastructure  ·  New South Wales  ·  2022

Project Overview

Protecting public assets and taxpayer value at end of a landmark schools PPP

The NSW Department of Education retained A2B Advisory to provide end of term advisory for the Schools Asset Management PPP — a portfolio of 11 schools delivered under a 25-year PPP arrangement. With the concession nearing expiry, the Department needed specialist guidance on ensuring assets were returned in the required condition and the transition was managed to minimise impact on students and staff.

Our team led a comprehensive condition assessment process, working alongside technical specialists to identify remediation obligations and develop a defensible position for contract negotiations with the incumbent. We also advised on the post-handback operating model and assisted the Department in preparing for direct asset management responsibilities.

Community engagement was a priority throughout — ensuring parents, school communities and local government stakeholders were well-informed and confident in the transition process.

Key Outcomes

  • All 11 schools handed back in agreed condition with no unresolved defects
  • $4.2M in remediation works secured from incumbent through negotiations
  • Transition completed without disruption to any school's daily operations
  • Post-handback operating model implemented successfully by the Department
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Project Details

Client

NSW Department of Education

Sector

Social Infrastructure

Location

Sydney, New South Wales

Year

2022

Services Delivered

Contract Advice Transition Delivery Stakeholder Engagement
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HomeProjectsDefence Housing

Defence Housing Australia Managed Services Transition

Defence  ·  Australian Capital Territory  ·  2022

Project Overview

Managing a high-stakes property services transition for Australia's defence community

Defence Housing Australia (DHA) engaged A2B Advisory to manage the end of term transition of its national property management services contract — a complex managed service arrangement covering tens of thousands of properties across Australia used to house ADF personnel and their families.

The transition required meticulous planning given the sensitivity of the end users — defence families in often remote locations — and the criticality of uninterrupted service delivery. A2B developed a comprehensive transition plan covering supplier exit, knowledge transfer, data migration and incoming provider mobilisation across multiple regions simultaneously.

We also provided commercial negotiation support during the exit phase, managing disputes over contract performance and finalising financial settlements with the outgoing provider.

Key Outcomes

  • National transition completed on schedule across all regions
  • Zero service disruption to ADF families throughout the transition
  • Exit disputes resolved commercially without litigation
  • Transition risk framework adopted as DHA standard practice
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Project Details

Client

Defence Housing Australia

Sector

Defence

Location

National (HQ: Canberra, ACT)

Year

2022

Services Delivered

Transition Readiness Transition Delivery Commercial Advice
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HomeProjectsSA Water

SA Water Operations Contract End of Term Review

Water & Utilities  ·  South Australia  ·  2021

Project Overview

Delivering a stronger commercial outcome for South Australia's essential water services

SA Water engaged A2B Advisory to conduct an end of term review of its major operations and maintenance managed service contract, covering water and wastewater infrastructure across metropolitan and regional South Australia. The objective was to provide an independent commercial assessment and advise on the optimal path forward.

Our team undertook a detailed review of contract performance over the term, benchmarking service levels and costs against comparable utilities. We developed a market sounding strategy and facilitated structured engagement with potential providers to test market appetite and inform the commercial model for re-procurement.

The engagement concluded with a comprehensive strategic advice report and recommended procurement pathway, which was subsequently approved by SA Water's Board and endorsed by the South Australian Government.

Key Outcomes

  • Independent commercial review providing clear strategic direction for the Board
  • Market benchmarking identified 12–15% cost saving opportunity through re-procurement
  • Recommended procurement pathway approved by the SA Government
  • Strong market interest confirmed through structured industry engagement process
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Project Details

Client

SA Water

Sector

Water & Utilities

Location

Adelaide, South Australia

Year

2021

Services Delivered

Strategy & Planning Commercial Advice Market Engagement
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HomeProjectsAcacia Prison

Acacia Prison PPP End of Concession Planning

Corrections & Justice  ·  Western Australia  ·  2021

Project Overview

Early planning for one of Australia's most complex PPP transitions

The WA Department of Justice engaged A2B Advisory to provide early planning advisory for the end of concession of the Acacia Prison PPP — the largest privately operated prison in Australia. Given the scale, sensitivity and complexity of the arrangement, the Department recognised the need for specialist advisory support well in advance of the concession expiry.

Our engagement focused on developing a comprehensive end of term planning framework, covering governance structures, risk identification, operational transition considerations and stakeholder engagement protocols. We worked closely with the Department's legal and technical advisors to ensure alignment across all workstreams.

The sensitivity of the prisoner population and the continuity of correctional services required a particularly careful approach to transition planning, with robust contingency frameworks developed for a range of scenarios.

Key Outcomes

  • Comprehensive end of term planning framework delivered and adopted by the Department
  • Risk register and mitigation strategies endorsed by the Department's Executive
  • Governance structure established with clear accountability across all transition workstreams
  • Retained by the Department for ongoing transition advisory through to concession expiry
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Project Details

Client

WA Department of Justice

Sector

Corrections & Justice

Location

Perth, Western Australia

Year

2021

Services Delivered

Strategy & Planning Transition Readiness Stakeholder Engagement
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Latest Insights

Perspectives, learnings and practical guidance on PPP and Managed Service end-of-term planning and transactions.

Insight

5 key steps to preparing for end of term success in PPPs and Managed Service arrangements

End of term planning requires clarity of EoT contract obligations and asset condition, defining of future requirements, early engagement with the incumbent, consideration of service models and procurement options, and strategic implementation planning.

Coming soon

Insight

Managing risk in PPP and MSA End of Term transactions

Having an awareness of the nature of risks that are inherent in end of term PPP and Managed Service transactions comes from experience dealing with such transactions. Planning for and managing such risks helps to minimise complexity and deviations from the transaction pathway, and helps to protect achievement of desired outcomes.

Coming soon

Insight

Engaging the incumbent & market early: why timing matters

Engaging with the incumbent during the early planning phase is critical to ensuring full consideration of assets, services and risk. Understanding extent of and eliciting market interest and capability involves instilling trust, equality and fairness prior to and during the tender process.

Coming soon
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Ready to start the conversation? Get in touch with our team.

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Let's talk about your project needs

Whether you're in the early stages of project planning or facing an imminent transaction or transition, we're here to help. Contact us to discuss how A2B Advisory can support your organisation.

Emailinfo@a2badvisory.com.au
LocationMelbourne, Victoria, Australia

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