Public Procurement Opportunities for UK Manufacturers

Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) CEO and Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) Chair Jenny Holloway attended a Public Procurement event in Manchester on 17th June, continuing her work to champion greater access to government contracts for UK garment and textile manufacturers.

The GCA Estates SME Meet the Buyer Forum, organised by the Government Commercial Agency, brought together SMEs, prime contractors and public procurement professionals to explore how smaller businesses can better engage with public sector supply chains and secure valuable contract opportunities.

A key initiative highlighted during the event was Supply Connect, a programme funded by JPMorganChase and delivered by Enterprise Nation and Newable. Designed to help SMEs win contracts with both public and private sector organisations, the programme provides free support to businesses seeking to become contract-ready and connect with buyers actively looking for suppliers.

For businesses beginning their procurement journey, Supply Connect offers personalised diagnostics, tailored action plans and access to practical tools and resources. Companies ready to bid can benefit from adviser support, industry networking opportunities, Meet the Buyer events and access to live government and corporate tenders.

The initiative aligns closely with the ATMF’s ongoing work to increase opportunities for UK manufacturers and encourage greater participation in public procurement, helping to strengthen domestic supply chains, support local employment and drive economic growth.

Reflecting on the event, Jenny Holloway said: “About a month ago I was interviewed by Drapers and found myself explaining – or perhaps moaning – about how chaotic I found the world of public procurement. Who are the decision-makers? Where do you find the tenders? Why can’t SMEs have a piece of the pie?

“What I really needed was to attend a workshop like this. The Government Commercial Agency genuinely helped lift the fog.”

Jenny praised the event’s organisation, noting the simple but effective colour-coded networking system, with green lanyards for SMEs, red for prime contractors and blue for public procurement professionals. Presentations covered the procurement landscape, frameworks and bidding opportunities, with speakers taking time to explain industry terminology and answer questions from attendees.

She also acknowledged the significant restructuring undertaken by the newly formed Government Commercial Agency, previously known as the Crown Commercial Agency, to streamline information and improve accessibility for suppliers.

Jenny extended her thanks to Shirley Cooper OBE for hosting the event, Stephanie Porter for organising it, and the many speakers and delegates who shared their expertise and experiences throughout the day.

While welcoming the initiative, Jenny also highlighted several opportunities to make future events even more impactful for SMEs:

+ Introduce a one-minute elevator pitch opportunity for SME attendees.

+ Explore mechanisms to support consortium bidding and collaborative contract delivery.

+ Share presentation slides and useful procurement resources with all attendees after the event.

+ Allow SMEs to submit a company profile in advance so meetings can be arranged with prime contractors before the event.

+ Increase the frequency of regional procurement engagement events.

Jenny also encouraged more manufacturers to engage with these opportunities: “As I left, I noticed a bundle of unused green lanyards and thought to myself that we cannot complain about a lack of work if we do not attend events designed to help us find it.”

The event has already generated new connections, with Jenny arranging follow-up meetings with major contractors and exploring opportunities for UK textile manufacturers through the ATMF consortium model.

“There must be a way for smaller manufacturers to access public procurement opportunities, and I’m determined to find it – not just for Fashion-Enter, but for the factories of Leicester and textile manufacturers across the UK.”

The ATMF continues to advocate for greater SME participation in public procurement, ensuring that UK manufacturers are well-positioned to contribute to government supply chains while strengthening domestic production capabilities.