This advisory service was created following the Meet the Buyer event held on 10 September 2024. At the event, we identified a significant gap: many businesses, particularly SMEs and those from diverse communities, were unsure where to find tender opportunities and how to prepare a strong, successful bid.

In response to this, we developed a series of three procurement collateral, led by procurement expert Rachel Fletcher. These documents are designed to provide practical, step-by-step guidance on how to navigate public procurement, identify suitable opportunities, and submit compelling bids.

Our aim is to ensure that more local businesses feel confident, informed, and ready to compete for public sector contracts. By improving access to procurement knowledge, we are helping level the playing field so that businesses of all sizes and backgrounds can thrive.

This service is being delivered in collaboration with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Sheffield City Council- Commercial Services, and the Sheffield Diverse Business Advisory Board.

We plan to host the Meet the Buyer event on a regular basis. Each event will bring together businesses from across Sheffield, experts in public procurement, and representatives from commissioning organisations such as Sheffield City Council. These events will provide practical insights into the tendering process, offer valuable networking opportunities, and enable direct engagement with those responsible for awarding contracts. They will also serve as a space to gather feedback from businesses on the local procurement landscape, helping us shape future support and identifying gaps.

More information on our next Meet the Buyer event coming soon.