New advisory panel for Government SME spend

Homeland November 17, 2016

This week has seen the first meeting of business experts, brought together to promote Government spending with small and medium sized enterprises (SME).

Made up of 24 entrepreneurs and leading business figures boasting a wide range of experience, the advisory panel has already been instrumental in helping the Government surpass its target of 25% of spend with SMEs, achieving 27% in 2014-15(some £12.1Bn)

The panel has been further developed to help it meet its newly increased target of a third of spend with SMEs, meaning an extra £3Bn of new business will be awarded by 2020.

Initiatives already encouraging more SMEs into the government supply chain include a simpler application process, developed with SMEs to provide a quicker and easier process; the guarantee of invoices being paid within 30 days; and the Crown Commercial Service anonymous Mystery Shopper service where problems with contracts, payments or concerns can be reported.

Ben Gummer, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, said: “The business experts will play a vital role to help us increase spending with SMEs, which are the lifeblood of the UK economy. Government is firmly on the side of entrepreneurs and we will do everything we can to make their lives easier. That’s why we have asked business experts to work with us towards our aim that £1 in every £3 of government procurement spending should go to SMEs by 2020.”

John Manzoni, Chief Executive of the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office, said: “Government is open for business and wants to work with more smaller businesses across the UK. These 24 business experts from across the UK will help government improve the procurement process so it is simpler, clearer and faster for SMEs.”

Leading entrepreneur Emma Jones MBE, the Crown Representative for SMEs, will work closely with the 24 experts to help more small businesses in the UK bid for and win government contracts.

Emma said: “Becoming a government supplier is a great way to make a difference to your business. Companies report an increase in their turnover, higher profits and an expansion of their workforce. In return, small and medium-sized enterprises offer innovation and value for money to government customers.”

Small business owner Hugh Griffiths, Chief Executive of Inzpire, said: “government is an excellent customer and in doing business with them, you feel like you doing something great for your country.

“This panel is a superb idea and a solid example of government support for entrepreneurs like us. Fundamentally, SMEs like Inzpire have something exciting and fresh to offer the country and I look forward to working in partnership with government to reach their target.”

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Crown Commercial Service SME supply chain