Source: Bdaily

Enterprise Nation has appointed Maggie Berry OBE to lead its SME supplier diversity strategy ahead of the UK Procurement Act coming into force later this month. A specialist in inclusive sourcing, Maggie will develop procurement and supplier-readiness programmes to help small businesses access new public sector opportunities. 

Maggie said: “It’s an exciting time to be working in this sector with a world of opportunity opening up for the SME community and Enterprise Nation going full steam ahead to make sure it’s a success. What needs to happen next is to build a dynamic and healthy pipeline of SMEs that are ready to supply with all the right products and services and that can meet all the criteria. But we also need procurement people or economic buyers to be open and willing to buy differently and have the confidence to buy from an SME.”

Emma Jones, CBE, founder and chief executive of Enterprise Nation, added: “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. Maggie is going to help us build alliances and develop supplier-ready programmes that champion the power of small businesses.”