The contract to build the London Olympic Stadium looks likely to be awarded to a joint tender by one of the world’s leading design firms, Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK), and construction giant Sir Robert McAlpine.

The strategic alliance between the two companies was prompted by the Olympic Delivery Authority’s insistence that consortiums must comprise of both architects and construction experts.

McAlpine built Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on time and to budget, which has been publicly praised by ODA chairman Jack Lemley. Architect Rod Sheard of HOK, meanwhile, has been responsible for the design of several major sporting projects, including the retractable roof over Wimbledon centre court and the Wembley arch. Shread has described stadiums as “the most important building any community can own… they have the power to change people’s lives: they represent a nation’s pride and aspirations.”