Marie Burton
National Framework Manager
Marie brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. She started her career as a design manager before taking on a range of project and preconstruction roles – including time spent as a project manager for a local authority. Her breadth of experience spans sectors such as education, healthcare, residential, industrial, and custodial, giving her a well-rounded and practical understanding of the industry.
Today, Marie plays a key role in leading our direct award framework delivery, working closely with our teams and customers to ensure we provide real value and consistently high standards. With a strong technical background and a deep understanding of how to get things done well, she’s focused on supporting growth, driving delivery excellence, and strengthening the collaborative relationships we’ve built with our framework partners.
As we progress through 2025, a milestone year marking 20 years of partnership between Willmott Dixon and SCAPE, Marie will be at the heart of our framework activity. She recently shared a round-up of what was achieved during 2024/25 – you can read her blog here.
With first-hand experience on both sides of the table, Marie brings a rare perspective to public sector delivery. In this Q&A, she reflects on her journey, and the future of public sector procurement.
How has your own journey shaped your commitment to public sector delivery?
I’ve seen first-hand the difference that good procurement decisions can make. When frameworks are used well - with the right partners in place - they unlock real value, reduce risk, and support outcomes that go far beyond just the build. That’s something I experienced during my time customer-side at West Lindsey District Council, and it’s shaped how I work today. I’m passionate about helping public sector teams make confident, informed choices that stand the test of time - built on trust, transparency, and doing the right thing from the outset.
What do people often not see about the inner workings of a framework?
There’s an incredible amount of thought, rigour, and care that goes on behind the scenes. From regular partner engagement to performance reviews and process improvements. With SCAPE, for instance, the team is always pushing to deliver the best outcomes for our customers. And importantly, they do it in a way that’s clear, collaborative and customer-friendly - which makes a real difference.
How are you helping shape the future direction of public sector procurement?
We’re in regular dialogue with our framework partners, feeding back what we’re hearing on the ground and sharing insights from our delivery experience. It’s a continual process of learning and improvement, and we use our voice to help ensure the framework evolves with the needs of public sector organisations.
Why are you excited about the next phase of frameworks?
The public sector is facing more complexity than ever - Building Safety Act requirements, Biodiversity Net Gain legislation, procurement reform, net zero obligations, and more. The next iteration of frameworks should aim to simplify that landscape and give local authorities the confidence to move forward, knowing they’ve got trusted, flexible routes to help meet their objectives.