FinditinWorcestershire, Worcestershire County Council’s supply chain portal, is kickstarting its high profile ‘Meet the Buyer’ event programme for 2018, with an essential MoD guide to defence procurement on Tuesday 16 January.

Teamed with the exclusive chance to talk one-to-one with a Ministry of Defence Outreach representative, the event will highlight that the MoD is looking to increase the amount of business it does with SMEs in the future and wants to use this event to provide advice and guidance to local businesses wishing to become a defence supplier.

The breakfast meeting to be held at Sixways Stadium, will include an information-packed presentation from the Department of International Trade in London about bidding for overseas defence contracts – a step that can take many Worcestershire SMEs to a whole new level of success.

The MoD is the biggest public procurement organisation in Europe, and the UK’s largest customer spending approx. £20bn a year, buying a wide range of products and services to support the Armed Forces.

In 2015/2016 the Ministry of Defence invested over £1.5bn in the Midlands, supporting over 10,000 full-time jobs, and benefiting local economies.

Last year saw the MoD’s direct spend with SME’s increase by over 10% across the country as it continues to make it easier for them to win defence business.

Zoe Heather, Event Manager for FinditinWorcestershire commented: “The MoD is continually developing its supply chain and provides increased opportunities for SMEs to fulfil their potential in supplying defence and security requirements. It also recognises that SMEs have the added advantage of being able to combine innovative thinking with an agile and flexible approach, so meeting local businesses and discussing what they can offer is vital.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for both FinditinWorcestershire members and local businesses in the county to hear what they can do to win contracts.”

Attendees at the event will also hear how certification to the Government’s Cyber Essentials Scheme is now a mandatory requirement for organisations wishing to win business with the MoD, and all suppliers who bid for new contracts need to show that they meet these cyber security standards.

The event will explain what businesses need to do and explain how they must increase their cyber security to ensure a reduction in the overall cyber risk across a supply chain.

The FinditinWorcestershire website aims to bring together contractors and suppliers to provide supply chain opportunities to the local economy.

To book a free place or for more information go to: www.finditinworcestershire.com