News

Supplier Development Programme welcomes Jacobs as its first Corporate Member

Scotland’s tender training service has welcomed its first corporate member.

As part of a wider “Team Scotland” approach the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) has been expanding its membership from a local authority based initiative to also include several Scottish government departments.

Recognising that there is a vast array of opportunities suitable for smaller companies within the supply chain of major government projects, SDP has launched its corporate membership to support those larger companies winning contracts to connect with potential suppliers and raise awareness of their supply chain opportunities.

Jacobs have been involved in delivering some of the largest infrastructure projects in Scotland including the Queensferry Crossing, the Edinburgh to Glasgow Rail Improvements Programme and most recently the A9 Improvements Programme.   They engage a wide range of suppliers from tier 1 contractors, through SMEs, to independent consultants and have become the first company to take up corporate membership with SDP.

Gillian Cameron, Programme Manager, said “The Supplier Development Programme is delighted to welcome Jacobs as its first corporate member. SDP’s role goes beyond just providing free tender training to Scottish SMEs; its growing network of public and now private sector buyers eager to engage suppliers, ensures that Scottish SMEs utilising the Programme have the opportunity to be informed and engaged about potential contract opportunities and get themselves “tender ready” to improve their chances of winning work arising from public sector spend.” SDP look forward to working with Jacobs to assist with promotion of their Scottish supply chain opportunities and support relevant supplier engagement events.”

Jacobs Buildings and Infrastructure Europe Senior Vice President and General Manager, Donald Morrison said “Working more closely with the Supplier Development Programme, we can now enhance opportunities for small companies and social enterprises to work with us in delivering more connected solutions for our clients across Scotland. We also want to help these niche organisations bring their expertise and talent for problem solving to a broader range of clients and projects across our global business; supporting the wider economy and Scottish Government objectives.”

Jacobs will be exhibiting and speaking at the Supplier Development Programme’s Meet the Buyer North event on 5^th September in Inverness.