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SDP Releases its latest Annual Report

The Supplier Development Programme is pleased to release its latest annual report, covering the period from 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023.

During this period, individual Scottish SMEs and Third sector organisations registered with SDP increased by 9.9%, which was 3.9% above target.

As well as this, SDP saw a 10% increase in the individuals classed as working for ‘supplier SMEs’ who were registered with the Programme, bringing the cumulative total to 21,583.

Other highlights of the year show that, 5,336 people from 3,544 unique Scottish SME businesses attended events with SDP.

The total number of SDP events delivered from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 was 125, which was a 48% increase on those delivered this time last year. This led to increased engagement, with overall individual attendee numbers (to all events) up by 287% year-on-year.

In this financial year, SDP provided 35 core training webinars to 775 attendees from Scottish businesses. 1,662 people registered to attend these webinars.

Of those that responded to core training surveys, 90% said they were more likely to bid for future public contracts as a direct result of the training they received.

In addition to this, over the last financial year, SDP organised 68 bespoke training sessions, in partnership with local authorities, as well as other public and private sector organisations.

Of those that responded to bespoke training surveys, 84% said they were more likely to bid for future public contracts, as a direct result of the training they received.

SDP Programme manager, Gillian Cameron said: “In a year which was not uniformly easy we have made important strides towards adapting our processes so that they meet the ongoing opportunities and challenges.

“It is a huge testament to the SDP team, new and old, that we have been able to launch even bigger events while continuing our core role to help Scottish SMEs, third sector and supported businesses to find, win and keep contracts, by bidding better.

“I am hugely grateful for the SDP team’s dedication and commitment, and I would like to also offer my thanks to our board and partners for their invaluable support.”

Read the full report here