More than 130 local businesses are now one step ahead of their competitors in securing public sector contracts, after attending the latest Supply Lambeth event on Tuesday 11 May at the Brit Oval in Vauxhall.

Organised by Business to Business on behalf of Lambeth Council, the Meet the Buyer event gave local firms the perfect opportunity to find out more about what it takes to win contracts in the public sector.

The event gave businesses a chance to meet face-to-face with more than 20 major local buyers from a variety of sectors including facilities management, construction and catering.

Head of Procurement at Lambeth Council, Sally Leigh, introduced the event and highlighted the current political situation and emphasized the council’s continuing need for responsible procurement and value for money.

Both buyers and suppliers who attended were able to network and secure future contracts.

Following on from the event Lambeth Council will be tracking businesses who attended the event to monitor their progress securing future tenders with the council.

Gary Helsby, Director of Alpha Plus Security, attending as a supplier, said:

“This is our second year of this Supply Lambeth event and I think this is a great opportunity to make introductions to people you wouldn’t usually meet. We attended the Supply Lambeth event last year and are now tendering for half a million pounds worth of business – as a direct result of attending the Meet the Buyer.”

John Berry, Operations Manager at Interserve, who attended the event as a buyer said:

“We’ve met several small suppliers today that we will possibly use, for example a local cleaning company. Usually we would use a national company because we don’t know any local suppliers. This event enables us to find out who the local suppliers are, and use them instead.”

Gail Rowe, Lambeth Council Enterprise Manager said;

“For the third year running we were pleased to see such a high turn out at this Supply Lambeth event. It has proved very successful in providing businesses with both networking opportunities, business support services and opportunities to win public sectors contracts for our local businesses.”

The council supports and encourages local businesses to work with the council. For more information Click here

Article first published 18th May on Lambeth Council website