30/11/12

Gloucestershire firms given guidance on how to secure public sector contracts

Businesses found out how they could tap into millions of pounds from public sector contracts at a seminar run by Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

How to win public sector work, which was organised by Gloucestershire LEP’s Business Membership Group, gave dozens of businesses advice about the processes firms would have to go through to sell their goods and services to the public sector as well as real examples of how local companies have previously won tenders. 

David Smith, development manager at GFirst, which drives Gloucestershire LEP, said:

“Public sector procurement is worth millions of pounds to small and medium sized businesses, but many find the tendering process extremely complex and time consuming. This seminar was designed to help Gloucestershire businesses, particularly SMEs, learn more about the extensive market of public sector contracts. We want our businesses to grow and public sector contracts can provide a profitable new route to market for them.” 

Speakers included John Little from Fluid Transfer on the subject of “How we were successful in winning government contracts” and Claire Smart from Gloucestershire County Council who gave the public sector procurer’s viewpoint at the event at Rickerbys LLP in Cheltenham on Wednesday, November 28. 

Matthew Wolton from Rickerbys LLP also explained how public procurement works and Roger Walker from BWord Consultants spoke about bidding in a consortium. 

John McDonnell, managing director at Charles Martyn Limited, specialists in banknote and coin handling systems, said:

“Historically I have had quite a lot of experience of working with the public sector but this seminar has really brought me up-to-date. It was very well structured with good speakers that have different areas of experience and expertise and it was very useful for my business."

The LEP’s Business Membership Group is made up of representatives from more than 50 business membership organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors and the Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about Gloucestershire LEP visit www.gloslep.co.uk.  

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