A business event, which will help connect Britain’s small businesses with useful public sector contracts, was announced on the November 9.
The Government Exchange, to be held on December 8, will offer the smallest firms the chance to compete with existing Government suppliers for important projects that could be transformative for their long-term sustainability.
Delegates will hear directly from top Government departmental buyers and their supply teams how to effectively access paid-for projects in a range of disciplines including marketing, digital development, learning support, law and building contracts.
The event, run by small business network Enterprise Nation, will also offer attendees an exclusive preview of the new-look online Contracts Finder to be unveiled next year, part of a Government initiative to meet a commitment to award a quarter of all public sector contracts to SMEs by May 2015.
Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: “The British entrepreneurial community is growing year-on-year. These start-up and micro business need to see more chances ahead of them on which to build a sustainable business for the long-term.
“Accessing and fulfilling public sector projects is an important way for UK PLC to build strong new supply chains and grow the economy for the long-term.”
The day-long event at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in Westminster will hear from Simon Lydiard from the Group Procurement Property Directorate at the Department for Transport and Lord Young of Graffham, the Prime Minister’s enterprise adviser.
Sue Colbeck, head of procurement at Aintree University Hospital NHS Trust will talk about how to sell to and service the NHS, while Stephen Allott, the small business representative at Crown Commercial Services and will outline some tips and trends around selling to the public sector at all levels.
There will also be a chance to hear from small firms that have already grown their business through access to Government opportunities. Ross Bailey from pop-up platform Appear Here and Ian McGill from the Spend Network will be offering tips and advice around making the most of the opening up of Government data and facilities.
For tickets go to http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-government-exchange-tickets-13658335449