Over 100 Staffordshire businesses were connected with £1 billion in procurement opportunities at a unique networking breakfast event.
The latest instalment of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Big Business Breakfast series took place at the Bet365 Stadium on Friday and brought together procurement experts from some of the UK’s largest organisations, providing local businesses with direct access to key decision-makers.
Attendees were given an exclusive overview of upcoming procurement opportunities and the latest legislative changes that could open new doors for suppliers.
Rachel Laver, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce CEO, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many businesses keen to explore new procurement opportunities.
“Events like these are vital in bridging the gap between buyers and suppliers, ensuring our region’s businesses are well-equipped to win major contracts.
“The Big Business Breakfast series has been hugely-popular with our members and we’ve already set the wheels in motion planning the next one, which will be on the hugely-topical trend of AI.”
Paul Doherty, Procurement Director at Heathrow Airport, delivered a keynote presentation, outlining Heathrow’s ongoing supplier needs and explained how West Midlands businesses could become part of the airport’s extensive supply chain.
He emphasised Heathrow’s commitment to working with SME businesses and provided practical advice on how companies could position themselves for success.
Delegates also heard from Paul Timmins, Head of Procurement at Staffordshire County Council, Nathan Joy-Johnson, Group Director of Procurement at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and Joanne Roberts, Group Deputy Director of Procurement at UHNM.
Both speakers shared insights into their respective organisations’ procurement requirements and offered guidance on securing contracts within the public sector.
Sarah Colclough, Bid Writing Expert at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, provided attendees with valuable tips on crafting winning bids. Her session offered practical strategies to help businesses stand out in competitive tendering processes.
Key takeaways from the event included:
· Utilising the Find a Tender service to discover procurement opportunities
· Actively participating in the procurement process and asking questions for clarity
· Writing clear bids that directly answer the questions in a concise manner.
· Pre-plan and prepare a ‘bid library’ containing key information, including company details, CVs, responses to common questions, and frequently requested documents such as insurance certificates.
Businesses can see more of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s upcoming events, here.
