**London**: Enterprise Nation announces Maggie Berry, OBE, as the new leader of its procurement programme, ahead of the UK’s Procurement Act 2023. The Act aims to facilitate SMEs in accessing corporate supply chains, promoting innovation and social value in government contracts.
Enterprise Nation has announced the appointment of Maggie Berry, OBE, as its new leader for the small business support platform’s procurement and supplier-ready programme. This decision comes in anticipation of the UK Procurement Act 2023, set to take effect on 24 February 2023. The Act aims to simplify and streamline the procurement process, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thereby creating new opportunities for these businesses within the corporate supply chain.
Maggie Berry brings a wealth of experience to this role, having dedicated her career to assisting diverse-owned SMEs in penetrating the global corporate supply chain. Previously, she served as the director at London’s Heart of the City, an organisation fostering responsible business practices among SMEs. Additionally, she was the Europe-wide executive director for WEConnect International, an organisation focused on promoting supplier diversity in procurement on a global scale. Her contributions to women in business and technology were recognised with an OBE in 2019.
The introduction of the new Procurement Act is expected to dismantle some of the bureaucratic hurdles that have historically hindered SMEs from competing for and securing government contracts. This innovative approach aims to incorporate SMEs into the public sector supply chain, allowing them to provide unique solutions that encompass innovation and sustainability. According to Maggie, demonstrating social value will become increasingly vital in the procurement process, especially with the anticipated “most advantageous tender” approach, which expands the procurement criteria to include factors such as social value alongside cost and quality.
Emma Jones, CBE, the founder and CEO of Enterprise Nation, expressed her confidence in Maggie’s leadership, stating, “Maggie has been a champion for SME supplier diversity for more than a decade and deeply understands the benefits that opening contracts to a broader range of suppliers can bring.” Jones emphasised the importance of public sector contracts as growth accelerators for SMEs, highlighting their reliability and prompt payment structures, which are particularly beneficial for smaller businesses seeking to innovate and expand.
Enterprise Nation has been actively engaged in the development of supportive programmes for SMEs, including collaborations like the SME Supplier Eco-system Programme with Deloitte, which aims to equip digital firms with the tools necessary for sustainable growth. Furthermore, Enterprise Nation has been part of a consortium with supply chain experts and local procurement specialists, aimed at unlocking fresh opportunities for businesses in the West Midlands, in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
As Maggie steps into her new role, the focus will be on fostering a diverse array of suppliers that can respond to the demands of local communities while also driving economic growth within the wider public sector landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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