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Meet the Buyer 2023: UK Department for Transport Stage

The Supplier Development Programme has announced the agenda for Meet the Buyer 2023 to be held on 17 May at the EICC. So, what can businesses expect to find on the UK Department for Transport Stage?

There are two main stages at Meet the Buyer 2023: The Power of Procurement Stage, located in the Main Exhibition Hall, and The UK Department for Transport Stage, located within the UK Department for Transport Zone. Each stage has a different timetable.

Suppliers are invited to attend the presentations throughout the day especially if they have and interest in working with the UK departments and their contract opportunities, many of which will be delivered outside Scotland.

UK Department for Transport Stage

11:00am Welcome by the UK Department for Transport

• Address by Ann McChesney, Deputy Director Assurance and Supply Chain Management, UK Department for Transport

11:15am Keynote from the Commercial Function Leadership Group SME Sponsor

• Keynote Address by Paul Rodgers, Commercial Director, UK Department for Transport

11:30am Keynote from the SME Crown Representative

• Keynote Address by Martin Traynor OBE, Cabinet Office SME Crown Representative

11:45am Commercial Policy Update

• Presentation by Ian Edwards, Head of Commercial Strategy, Strategy, Policy and Capability, Group Commercial Directorate, UK Department for Transport

12:00pm Perceived Barriers for SMEs: Open Discussion

• Open to the floor

Please note: the agenda is subject to change at any point, without notice.

Be sure to plan your day!

There maybe not enough time to watch every single presentation and take part in every live question and answer session, so the Supplier Development Programme encourages all suppliers to plan in advanced, however please note that the Power of Procurement stage will be recorded and accessible after the event and so you may wish to attend the UK Department for Transport Zone if this is an area of particular interest to find out about opportunities some of which maybe for delivery outside Scotland.

There is not enough time to watch every single presentation, so it is essential to plan your time in advance. All attendees are advised to check out the full agenda for the day on the Meet the Buyer 2023 event page, to help you decide which presentations to attend.

Next steps

Scotland is “Open for Business” unlike many other largescale events, Meet the Buyer is free for all types of businesses to attend. If your business can attend just one event this year, make it Meet the Buyer 2023! All suppliers, especially micro, small and medium sized businesses and social enterprises, are actively encouraged to introduce themselves to the Buyers on the day and ask about what contracts they may have to help grow your business. Be sure to register an account with SDP and book a place in advance.

Join the conversation: #MeetTheBuyer2023