From Uncertainty to Delivery: Strengthening UK Border Control Systems

The UK’s departure from the EU necessitated substantial investments and restructuring at its borders. A key government agency faced the complex task of developing new Border Control Posts (BCPs) to manage the increased volume of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks on biological products and animals entering the UK.

Key challenges included:

• Uncertainty around the operational requirements of UK borders post-Brexit, particularly concerning a highly sensitive border.
• Managing inter-departmental communication between the lead agency and other government departments responsible for infrastructure development.
• Addressing the varying systems and processes of devolved administrations, which required bespoke support.
• Balancing tight budgets with the pressing need for timely and efficient delivery as part of a significant national investment package.

Reed Professional Services (RPS) was engaged to support the agency by providing project and programme management expertise. Our key areas of focus included:

• Acting as the primary communication channel between the lead agency and its infrastructure counterparts to ensure facilities met end-user requirements.
• Providing engineering assurance and construction advice to devolved administrations to enhance their delivery capabilities.
• Conducting comprehensive product testing to validate the functionality and suitability of newly built systems, such as digital registration platforms.

• Stakeholder Engagement: RPS facilitated communication between the lead agency, other government departments, and devolved administrations, aligning deliverables and ensuring mutual understanding across stakeholders.
• Iterative Testing and Product Management: Systems were subjected to extensive testing to confirm functionality, focusing on service viability and user needs.
• Knowledge Transfer and Upskilling: Tailored mentoring and coaching were provided to the agency’s teams and devolved administrations to ensure knowledge retention and build capacity for future BCP development.
• Compliance Focus: Our team ensured that all projects adhered to health and safety regulations and legislative standards.
• Adaptive Scenario Planning: To address uncertainty, particularly concerning sensitive borders, we engaged expert planners to model potential outcomes and mitigate risks effectively.

RPS delivered key improvements in the development and delivery of the BCP programme:

• Timely Delivery: Despite tight timelines and complex requirements, BCP sites were delivered to agreed quality standards.
• Knowledge Transfer: Teams were upskilled through a structured knowledge transfer plan, equipping them to manage future BCP initiatives independently.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Enhanced communication across government departments reduced delays and ensured that facilities met operational requirements.
• Risk Mitigation: Structured communication and clarified roles minimised risks associated with cost overruns, delays, and quality inconsistencies.

Challenges and Mitigation

• Multi-Stakeholder Dynamics: Differences in understanding and expectations among partners created delivery inconsistencies. RPS mitigated this through regular formalised meetings, clearly defined roles, and transparent reporting.
• Post-Brexit Uncertainty: The ambiguity surrounding the future of border operations, particularly at sensitive borders, was addressed through scenario-based planning and expert consultation.
• Pandemic Disruptions: Covid-19 restrictions were managed through a hybrid working model, combining remote and in-person engagements to ensure continuity.

Impact:

RPS’s involvement was pivotal in enabling the agency to deliver functional, compliant, and efficient BCPs. This work supported the UK’s post-Brexit trade environment, showcasing RPS’s capability to manage multi-stakeholder projects and deliver impactful results under challenging conditions.