perfect circle

PERFECT CIRCLE ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIR

PROPERTY, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle has announced that director and sector specialist Richard Whitehead will return to the role of chair. Picking up the baton from fellow Perfect Circle senior management board representative, Duncan Green, Richard will be taking on the role throughout 2022, which marks the business’

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HISTORIC WORKHOUSE TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLBEING HUB

PROPERTY, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle has been appointed by Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) to provide project management, cost management and CDM advice services on a once-in-a-generation transformation of the former Machynlleth Union Workhouse – currently operating as Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital.  Based in the heart of Machynlleth, a popular market town

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RETHINK AND REUSE BEFORE REBUILDING, SAYS SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION EXPERT

THE CONSTRUCTION industry needs to rethink its approach to reusing and recycling buildings if it is to be seen as truly sustainable, according to a leading expert. David Cheshire, sustainability director for AECOM, told a recent webinar from property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle that reusing materials from demolition

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GLOBAL INDUSTRY-LEADING FIRMS JOIN PERFECT CIRCLE’S SUPPLY CHAIN P

PROPERTY, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle has taken new steps in further integrating its extensive supply chain – announcing global industry heavyweights Stantec and WT Partnership as part of its expanded “PrimeCore” team. Perfect Circle achieved unprecedented success in leading SCAPE’s former Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework, delivering

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HISTORIC POST OFFICE REDEVELOPMENT STARTS ON SITE

THE TRANSFORMATION of Bury St Edmunds’ former post office has now begun as part of a council’s investment in the future of its high street.  The £8.4 million redevelopment project at 17-18 Cornhill will completely demolish the rear of the building to make way for 12 flats and two commercial units, while the Victorian frontage will be retained.  Property, construction and infrastructure

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FOUR YEARS ON: PERFECT CIRCLE DELIVERS MORE THAN 1,450 PUBLIC SECTOR PROJECTS

PROPERTY, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle has celebrated four years delivering Scape Group’s Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework – having been commissioned on more than 1,450 public sector projects during its term. Set up in 2016 by sector-leading firms Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM, Perfect Circle delivers the broadest

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Latest Issue
Issue 325 : Feb 2025

perfect circle

PERFECT CIRCLE ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIR

PROPERTY, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle has announced that director and sector specialist Richard Whitehead will return to the role of chair. Picking up the baton from fellow Perfect Circle senior management board representative, Duncan Green, Richard will be taking on the role throughout 2022, which marks the business’ sixth year and will see it grow to reach delivery of over £600m of public sector spend. Set up in 2016 by sector-leading firms Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM, the consultancy delivers the broadest range of consultancy services available to the public sector via SCAPE Consultancy, a single source direct award framework that drives collaboration, efficiency, time, and cost savings. Richard said: “Duncan has done an excellent job over the past year, ensuring that Perfect Circle retained a sharp focus on strategy and performance, through what has clearly been a turbulent time. I look forward to taking the business forward by increasing the scale and scope of the services we provide across the public sector and ensuring that we continually deliver best value.” Perfect Circle has been commissioned on more than 1,900 public sector projects during its term, with the business contributing significantly to the government’s levelling up agenda for the UK. In total, Perfect Circle has spent more than £120m through local supply chain on public sector projects, with many supporting the growth of communities at a regional level. Managing director of Perfect Circle Victoria Brambini said: “We are delighted that Richard will be returning as chair – his expertise and past experience on the senior management board at Perfect Circle will help to maintain our position as market leaders, delivering efficient partnering, integrated support and outstanding service performance.” Richard has extensive experience in the buildings and infrastructure professional services sector. He is Managing Director of AECOM’s Buildings + Places business in Europe, leading a team of over 2,500 people providing a diverse range of services for public and private sector clients in the UK and overseas. He is also a board member of the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Chair of Hertfordshire Enterprise Zone. Victoria said: “We’re welcoming Richard into this role at a pivotal time, with consultancy in the construction sector facing a multitude of challenges – including a shortage of skilled staff, increased costs and supply chain issues. “As a result, efforts should be made to maximise local spend through the procurement of opportunities for SMEs within their local community. Richard will be a great addition to ensure long-term success and support the recent drive for levelling up in the UK. He joins at a time of great momentum on the new SCAPE Consultancy framework, with the inclusion of new preferred partners, such as Stantec, Jacobs and WT Partnership, signalling our strong intention to continue to better support the wide array of public sector projects across the UK. By doing so, we are setting the industry on the path to better and more consistent partnership, that achieves better outcomes for clients and the communities that our industry serves.” Mark Robinson, SCAPE Group chief executive, said: “Delivering quality support and advice to our public sector colleagues has never been more important. Therefore, the expertise that is made available by Richard and the rest of the Perfect Circle team will be critical in helping our clients to unlock the true potential of their assets and infrastructure. With this appointment, I look forward to continuing our work together to deliver the very best outcomes for the public sector.” For more information about Perfect Circle, visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk.

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HISTORIC WORKHOUSE TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLBEING HUB

PROPERTY, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle has been appointed by Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) to provide project management, cost management and CDM advice services on a once-in-a-generation transformation of the former Machynlleth Union Workhouse – currently operating as Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital.  Based in the heart of Machynlleth, a popular market town at the head of the Dyfi estuary in mid-Wales, the redevelopment of the Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital will ensure residents have access to leading healthcare facilities in the heart of their community. In addition to improving primary care facilities, the project will provide space for local authority and third sector teams to work collaboratively, encouraging efficiency and quality of care.  The £15 million project will see contractor Willmott Dixon deliver an integrated health and wellbeing centre in collaboration with Perfect Circle via SCAPE Consultancy, a direct award framework that drives collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings.  Victoria Brambini, managing director of Perfect Circle, said: “We are delighted to be overseeing the regeneration of the Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital, with all of its wonderful heritage. Originally built in 1860, it has since served several purposes, including a WWII Red Cross auxiliary hospital and the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Much of our work will involve breathing new life into the historic building, restoring it as an important asset to the local community.”  Appointed due to its extensive healthcare credentials, Perfect Circle will be working in partnership with Willmott Dixon, the local community and stakeholders to ensure engagement throughout. By modernising the hospital and centralising the GP practice, local people will benefit from a comprehensive, cross-service approach to their health and wellbeing needs.  Mike Petersen, principal regional lead for Wales at Perfect Circle, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to not only create a modern facility but overhaul the way in which the community accesses healthcare. Perfect Circle is delighted to be leading the project and rejuvenating a building of such significance both in the past and for the future.”  Construction commenced in May 2021, with contractor Willmott Dixon taking the lead on the ground via the SCAPE Construction framework. Works are expected to complete by the end of 2022.  Ian Jones, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are proud to be working alongside Perfect Circle via the SCAPE framework to deliver this integrated health and wellbeing facility for the Powys Teaching Health Board. The project builds upon our proud history of delivering first-class healthcare projects in Wales and will create vital facilities for the people of Machynlleth and the surrounding areas.”  The SCAPE Consultancy framework offers direct access to the most extensive property, construction and infrastructure consultancy services available to the public sector. The fully OJEU-compliant procurement route brings together the strongest collaborative team with value for money, while contributing substantially to local social value.  Mark Robinson, group chief executive of SCAPE, said: “Modern, best-in-class healthcare facilities are the foundation to ensuring thriving, healthy communities in Wales. SCAPE is proud to help accelerate this important project, which will see a much-needed update to Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital that also respects the significant heritage of Machynlleth Union Workhouse.  “Perfect Circle, Willmott Dixon and Powys Teaching Health Board are regenerating a historically significant building into a future-proofed facility that will deliver a lasting benefit to residents for years to come.”  For more information on Perfect Circle, please visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk. 

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RETHINK AND REUSE BEFORE REBUILDING, SAYS SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION EXPERT

THE CONSTRUCTION industry needs to rethink its approach to reusing and recycling buildings if it is to be seen as truly sustainable, according to a leading expert. David Cheshire, sustainability director for AECOM, told a recent webinar from property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle that reusing materials from demolition simply isn’t enough to offset the environmental and financial impact of acquiring them in the first instance. Cheshire said: “At the moment, we as an industry dig, mine and process hundreds of millions of tonnes of raw materials that we essentially steal from the planet. There is a focus generally on reducing things like operational energy use, but around half of all greenhouse gas emissions come from mining and processing resources. “We are also knocking down and demolishing buildings at a phenomenal rate, sometimes after only 30 years of use, so we’re losing at both ends of the scale. “While we congratulate ourselves as an industry for reusing large amounts of the waste products from demolition, it’s not ‘recycling’ in the truest sense of the word as the products don’t maintain their value. For example, structural concrete doesn’t get recycled into use as structural concrete; it is downcycled to secondary aggregates like road base or piling mats. While this is reuse, it’s not giving us the materials back that we spent so much energy getting in the first place.” Cheshire talked attendees through the basics of circular economy design principles for buildings and emphasised how its applications can improve sustainability throughout the supply chain. He said: “The current model the industry operates on is very much a linear approach – we win the resources, we use them, we throw them away and then the process starts over again. The circular economy looks to remedy this and find better, more sustainable ways of doing things. “The core of the model is retaining, refitting and refurbishing buildings. There are a number of design principles that feed into this, chiefly the idea of building in layers. There are thousands of components that make up buildings, all of which have different lifespans, so the circular economy model needs to work differently for each layer. “The foundations and structure of the building are long-life and should be around for a hundred years, but with the interiors, the thinking needs to be around reconfiguring for a new use rather than throwing everything out and starting again from base build. “Building in layers also means that you can peel those layers off as uses change. If you’re converting usage from office to residential for example, you might want to replace the facade, but equally it is thinking about how you’re putting everything together – you don’t want to have an electrical component that lasts 20 years hidden behind a ceramic tile that has a 2,000-year life. “If you can retain and refurbish a building and keep the main structure of it, there’s around a 50% reduction in embodied carbon over time in comparison to a new build, which is hugely significant.” Among the examples given by Cheshire was the work being done as part of The London Plan, which has several policies relating to the circular economy in the built environment. Cheshire said: “We’re working with the Greater London Authority on the inclusion of the circular economy in its wider plans. GLA policy now dictates that all referable projects much have a circular economy statement that sets out the project’s commitments against a series of targets. “Our cities and buildings are a gold mine of resources. We spend so much money, effort and time in bringing these resources out of our planet and into our cities, only to downcycle them once their original use is exhausted. “The circular economy goes hand in hand with the idea of urban mining and ensuring that we keep materials within the loop and reusing them to the best of our ability.” A full version of the webinar can be viewed here: For more information on Perfect Circle, please visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk.

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GLOBAL INDUSTRY-LEADING FIRMS JOIN PERFECT CIRCLE’S SUPPLY CHAIN P

PROPERTY, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle has taken new steps in further integrating its extensive supply chain – announcing global industry heavyweights Stantec and WT Partnership as part of its expanded “PrimeCore” team. Perfect Circle achieved unprecedented success in leading SCAPE’s former Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework, delivering more than 2,600 contracts across a public sector spend of £500m in the past four years. As a result, in January 2021, Perfect Circle was awarded the new Built Environment and Infrastructure lots of the SCAPE Consultancy framework for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Along with Perfect Circle’s principal partners Pick Everard, Gleeds, and AECOM, new preferred partners are joining its PrimeCore team – delivering project management and quantity surveying services to continue growth in providing service excellence to more than 300 public sector organisations. They join together as part of the consultancy’s already vast market of approved suppliers, with more than 600 supply chain partners creating better integration and collaboration in dynamic service delivery teams. The new preferred partners will help to drive the framework into new sectors, making significant contributions to the government’s build back better programme. Stantec and WT Partnership are the first of several firms in the expanded PrimeCore team to be announced. Victoria Brambini, managing director at Perfect Circle, said: “Since Perfect Circle was set up in 2016, we have been strengthening our collaborations between our shareholders, SCAPE framework partners and our supply chain. Our ethos is deep-rooted in partnership, working and bringing the strongest integrated team together to deliver the best services to clients, with embedded creation of community benefits right across the UK. “This is because we know that effective collaboration not only brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise into the group, but also a collective passion and drive for improvement – making a real difference to clients, communities, employees, and supply chain partners. “The scale and success of leading SCAPE’s former BECS framework has been recognised by the enthusiasm and commitment from suppliers to become part of our PrimeCore team. As we continue to be selected by public sector clients to deliver their projects via the new SCAPE Consultancy framework, we will further bolster our mission to deliver procurement value by connecting the public sector and its projects to the best talent and integrated team. “We are delighted to have added further expertise to our already expansive supply chain and engaged Stantec and WT Partnership into our PrimeCore team. Stantec will bolster and support our delivery of infrastructure projects, while WT Partnership will bring the benefit of 70 years’ experience within the property and construction industry across a full range of projects for public sector clients.” Perfect Circle delivers the broadest range of consultancy services available to the public sector via SCAPE Consultancy, a direct award framework that drives collaboration, speed and efficiency, social value, and value for money. The services are categorised as prime core (project management and quantity surveying), core (including building surveying, architecture, and the engineering disciplines), and non-core services, with principal partners Pick Everard, Gleeds, and AECOM and the new preferred partners able to deliver all services, and suppliers being engaged to deliver any core and non-core services. James Morgan, framework director at Stantec, said: “Stantec is delighted to join Perfect Circle as a preferred partner on the SCAPE Consultancy framework, delivering the Built Environment and Infrastructure lots. Together, we have a shared commitment to delivering community enrichment, social value, sustainability, and economic growth. “We look forward to providing expert consultancy and innovative solutions to our public sector clients through both framework appointments, with a particularly prominent role on lot 2 – Infrastructure – providing key schemes for environmental protection and transport such as, for example, the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor (CaMKOx).” Dean Smith, joint managing director at WT Partnership, added: “We are thrilled to be designated one of Perfect Circle’s preferred partners, providing built environment and infrastructure consultancy services across the SCAPE Consultancy framework. “This will allow us to maximise upon our key business objectives of supporting the wider public sector, providing excellent value for money, and promoting social value to enhance local communities throughout the UK.” The SCAPE Consultancy framework runs from January 2021 until 2025. Accessible to any public sector organisation, the framework offers the broadest range of professional services available in the construction and infrastructure industry, with each lot providing experts in each sector. The fully OJEU-compliant procurement route brings together the strongest collaborative team with value for money, while contributing substantially to local social value. Mark Robinson, chief executive of SCAPE, said: “By extending its ‘PrimeCore’ dedicated supply chain, Perfect Circle is ensuring it has access to a wide range of specialist expertise. This means that clients can be confident that through SCAPE Consultancy, their projects will be ready to be accelerated by having the right team in place from the very outset.” Since its inception, Perfect Circle has assembled a supply chain of more than 680 firms that have access to work with a diverse range of public sector organisations. More than £74m has been spent across the supply chain on public sector projects over the past four years. For more information on Perfect Circle, please visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk.

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HISTORIC POST OFFICE REDEVELOPMENT STARTS ON SITE

THE TRANSFORMATION of Bury St Edmunds’ former post office has now begun as part of a council’s investment in the future of its high street.  The £8.4 million redevelopment project at 17-18 Cornhill will completely demolish the rear of the building to make way for 12 flats and two commercial units, while the Victorian frontage will be retained.  Property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle was appointed by West Suffolk Council to provide quantity surveying, project management, and structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering and architectural advisory services for the scheme.  The project was procured through SCAPE Consultancy, a direct award framework that drives collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings on construction projects.  Victoria Brambini, managing director of Perfect Circle, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the regeneration of this site and can truly appreciate the importance of the historic front of this building and its preservation for the local community.   “The frontage is iconic in Bury St Edmunds as it has been home to the town’s post office for more than 100 years, so we’re glad we can help to bring it back to economic use.   “Not only will we be working to preserve the post office’s historic front, but we will also be helping to improve the masterplanning of the town centre by joining together two of its most popular shopping destinations.”  The build will better links between the historic town centre – around Cornhill and Buttermarket – and the contemporary arc shopping centre by widening the adjoining walkway by more than 50% to encourage an increase in footfall between the two sites and improving visitor experience.  Victoria continued: “The new, mixed-use development will bring many benefits to the town centre, including residential and commercial units that will act as a catalyst for community regeneration. It will also help to rejuvenate the local economy and aesthetically improve the overall environment of the shopping district in Bury St Edmunds, so we’re glad this is something Perfect Circle can be a part of, providing a lasting legacy for the area.”  West Suffolk Council secured £2.75 million in government investment, which provides cost certainty for the redevelopment. Managing a strict budget has been a key part of Perfect Circle’s role.  Paul Darlow, regional lead for the East of England at Perfect Circle, said: “One of the main challenges we have experienced with this project so far was creating a design that met the client’s brief, was visually cohesive with the rest of the town centre, and kept within the budget of the scheme.  “However, we have worked closely with the client’s architectural consultants to create a design that not only meets these requirements, but also perpetuates a new legacy that will stay with Bury St Edmunds for years to come.”  Councillor John Griffiths, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “It is a challenging time for our residents, businesses and indeed the council, but we are continuing to invest in the long-term future of West Suffolk and Bury St Edmunds town centre as a place of economic, social and cultural activity.  “Furthermore, we are delivering on what people asked for when they helped to shape the vision for the town centre in the masterplan in 2017.  “Once completed this will deliver so much, including a better and wider walkway between the arc and the historic town centre, as well as a new commercial frontage onto St Andrews St South and improved access to the historic Cornhill front.”  The building, which has remained vacant since the post office relocated in November 2016, will also benefit from a new commercial frontage on St Andrews Street South to help improve the town centre.   Mark Robinson, group chief executive of SCAPE, said: “The long-term impact of Covid-19 on the high street is a key consideration for local authorities as they look to evolve their masterplans for town centres and help the nation to build back better.   “This project is a great example of a historic site being redesigned to better support the community, not only through high-quality living but also by stimulating commercial activity through improved town planning.  “West Suffolk Council, supported by Perfect Circle, should be commended for their bold vision, which will have a significant positive impact on the local economy while maintaining the historic features of the high street in Bury St Edmunds.”  For more information on Perfect Circle, please visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk.  

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FOUR YEARS ON: PERFECT CIRCLE DELIVERS MORE THAN 1,450 PUBLIC SECTOR PROJECTS

PROPERTY, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle has celebrated four years delivering Scape Group’s Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework – having been commissioned on more than 1,450 public sector projects during its term. Set up in 2016 by sector-leading firms Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM, Perfect Circle delivers the broadest range of property, construction and infrastructure consultancy services available to the public sector via Scape’s BECS framework, which was due to come to an end in early October but was extended by three months to support partners and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Victoria Brambini, managing director at Perfect Circle, said: “We are immensely proud of the success we have achieved with Scape over the past four years, and the strong relationships we have forged with clients and our growing network of supply chain partners. “Our public sector clients have benefitted from vastly reduced procurement time and real savings for the public purse. Together with Scape, we have delivered real value, ensuring social, economic and environmental benefits sit at the heart of every project – enabling clients to unlock true social value and create a lasting legacy for their communities. As a result, more than £44m in social value has been generated on projects commissioned via the framework, including the delivery of 900 hours of employability workshops.” Perfect Circle has assembled a supply chain of more than 680 partners across the UK since the start of the framework, helping micro-businesses and SMEs to work with a diverse range of public sector organisations. Victoria said: “SMEs are the backbone of our industry and the building blocks of strong local communities; their involvement in public sector schemes is vital. Our regional presence across the UK allows us to engage with local supply chains effectively and provide them with opportunities to work on schemes that directly benefit their communities – supporting their growth and ensuring that public money is reinvested in the area. “The Scape BECS framework has significantly contributed to the government’s drive for levelling up in the UK and we are delighted to have spent more than £52m through SMEs on public sector projects.” Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Perfect Circle has continued to respond to the ongoing need for public services to be provided to communities – be it in designing new bridges and adding electricity charging points to car parks, or managing hospital refurbishments and school extensions. The framework has grown, with the consultancy teams securing 89 new commissions over the past six months and reaching a height of activity that has generated month on month record fee earnings. During this time, Perfect Circle provided valuable cashflow for its suppliers, ensuring crucial public sector schemes keep moving, generating local spend and adding inclusive social value. Victoria said: “During 2020 in particular, SMEs have experienced – and are continuing to experience – a range of challenges. As well as continuing to preserve and support growth of opportunities for our suppliers by giving them a route to market, with consistency and collaboration with clients, we have continued to make fair and even faster payments. Over the past quarter, 100% of invoices have been paid in 30 days, with 60% of payments made in five days.” Sara Boland, managing director of chartered landscape architecture practice Influence, added: “2020 has presented many challenges to the industry, with the impacts of both Brexit and coronavirus to consider. “During this unprecedented time, working with Perfect Circle’s transparent, reliable payment terms has demonstrated their respect for and commitment to our relationship and the projects that we collaborate on. The certainty and assurance of trusted partners like Perfect Circle have been critical to supporting the planning of cashflow in businesses at this time.” Scape’s BECS framework is the most efficient route to market, allowing direct award for commissioning services with full public procurement compliance. It significantly reduces the time needed for brief preparation – accelerating delivery of projects and programmes. Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive, said: “The vast array of successful projects the team at Perfect Circle have delivered throughout the lifetime of the BECS framework is testament to the outstanding value this partnership has brought to the public sector. “Importantly, this pioneering framework has achieved what we had all hoped. It has systematically introduced real change in the community, through our joint commitment to implement social value wherever possible. “The partners that came together to form Perfect Circle know exactly what it takes to generate a positive legacy, something that will continue to play an increasingly integral role in shaping the future of the UK. “To build back better means that every element of best practice that has been identified throughout this framework partnership is improved upon in the future. And we’re tremendously excited about seeing what can be achieved through our new consultancy frameworks. “It’s clear that Perfect Circle has set a high bar and I look forward to seeing how the next generation of TeamScape consultancy partners respond to its unequivocal success.” The £1bn, next generation Scape’s Consultancy framework will replace the current BECS framework for new commissions in January 2021. To find out more about Perfect Circle, please visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk. 

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