Businesses urged to attend expert procurement event

July 10, 2023

Businesses across Shropshire are being urged to attend an expert event to help them win more work with the public sector.

The Marches Growth Hub and Marches Local Enterprise Partnership is staging the special event at the University Centre Shrewsbury on July 25 to help take some of the mystery out of the procurement process.

It is being aimed at small and medium sized businesses from Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin and features a line-up of buyers and experts from local councils, the NHS and accredited bidding professionals RTFQ.

Marches LEP chief executive Rachel Laver said the event – which starts at 9am – would be hugely informative for any business which wanted to gain contracts with public bodies.

“Sometimes it can feel as if there is a bit of mystery around how the public sector procures services. We want to shine a light on some of the processes involved and help make it straightforward for as many companies as possible to bid for work.

“Our speakers are all experts in their field and can help businesses understand the opportunities in the public sector, where to find them, how to apply and what is required for a winning bid.

“We’ll also have some businesses on hand who have been through the process and can talk about their experience of working with the public sector.

“And, of course, we’ll make sure there is plenty of time for businesses to ask the questions they want answered so that anyone joining us goes away with a much clearer picture of what is involved and can start putting together their own bids.”

Speakers at the event include Nigel Denton, commissioning development & procurement manager at Shropshire Council, Sarah Bass, service delivery manager place based commissioning & procurement, Telford & Wrekin Council and James Richards, deputy director of procurement, Shropshire Healthcare Procurement Service (SHPS).

They will be joined by experts from RTFQ-ATFQ, a Telford-based firm of professionals which specialises in competitive tendering.

The event will include tea, coffee, pastries and networking from 9am before the event itself at 9.30-11.30am.

For more details and to register visit https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/events/winning-business-with-the-public-sector/

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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