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SMEs make up over 99% of the UK’s 5.6 million businesses, employ over half of those in the private sector workforce and generate half of its turnover. However, the direct spending dial with SMEs is stuck at 20%. The government is now promising changes to how major bids will be evaluated, including KPIs on social value to encourage more opportunities for small businesses.

The challenge

The new procurement act aims to reduce barriers for SMEs accessing public sector work. However, there’s a disconnect between SMEs and the public sector and private sector success doesn’t always translate to winning public sector work, where the rules and language can seem obtuse, unfair and not worthy of the investment. Change starts by recognising the innovation already thriving in the private sector – and removing obstacles that prevent these suppliers from scaling their impact. As Talent Lab and Urbano, we specialise in bridging the missing links.

How we can help

Talent Lab and our business network Urbano has unrivalled experience and knowledge on both sides of the procurement fence, from assisting Tier 1s and JVs on their major bids, to training SMEs to win direct tenders and places on frameworks.

Team United is our dynamic approach which can generate value for large companies, public sector bodies and membership organisations, and the SMEs within their communities to meet the challenges of this promised new procurement regime. Our approach helps to deliver practical, efficient and measurable programmes to transform your supply chains into a thriving business community. It involves helping organisations shift from transactional supply chains to collaborative value networks—where needs are identified, suppliers are sourced, partnerships encouraged, and total impact measured.

Download TEAM UNITED: SUPPLY CHAINS REIMAGINED to find out more about our approach and others way we can help maximise the potential of your own community of small businesses.