1 September 2025

The NEPO Supplier Partnership Programme: Unlocking Opportunities for North East Suppliers

Unlocking opportunities for North East suppliers with Keith Lamb, NEPO’s Social Value and Supplier Coordinator.

Public sector procurement has never been more important in driving economic growth, particularly in the North East. Each year, local public bodies collectively spend £6.3 billion, with around 35% of that already going to regional suppliers. This represents a huge opportunity for local businesses to grow and thrive. Yet, for many SMEs, navigating the procurement process can feel daunting - especially for those new to public sector contracting.

That’s where the NEPO Supplier Partnership Programme (NSPP) comes in. Designed specifically for North East-based businesses, the NSPP offers free workshops and support sessions to help suppliers find, bid for, and win contracts. The aim is simple: keep more public sector spend within the region, strengthen the local economy, and give businesses the confidence and skills to succeed in bidding for public contracts.

The programme is led by Keith Lamb, NEPO’s Social Value and Supplier Coordinator, who brings over 35 years of procurement and public service experience. Since taking on the role in 2022, Keith has been committed to making procurement accessible, overseeing the delivery of the NSPP and helping to embed social value into NEPO’s strategy. He notes that public sector spending represents “just under 50% of the regional economy” and stresses that increasing contracts for local suppliers isn’t just good business - it’s a powerful driver of prosperity across the North East.

How the Procurement Act 2023 Supports SMEs

The Procurement Act 2023 represents one of the most significant reforms in public sector procurement in decades. Its primary goal is simple: make it easier for businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs, to access public sector opportunities.

Keith explains: "The Act simplifies processes, increases transparency, and actively tackles barriers that have traditionally held SMEs back. The NSPP ensures suppliers understand these changes and know how to apply them in e-tendering and bid writing."

How the NSPP Supports SMEs

For many SMEs, the world of procurement can seem intimidating or overly complex. The NSPP was created to address these concerns head-on. Through interactive, real-world training sessions, suppliers gain insight into:

  • The breadth of public sector contract opportunities
  • Typical contract sizes, values, and competition levels
  • Tools that simplify the bidding process
  • Strategies for writing persuasive and successful tenders

Sessions are highly participatory, encouraging businesses to share experiences and ask questions. The focus is on developing practical strategies and bespoke approaches to bidding that work for each supplier.

The programme is delivered in partnership with Executive Compass, bid and tender writing specialists helping businesses to secure public and private sector contracts. Since 2009, Executive Compass has supported UK-based bidders to secure over £5billion in public sector procurement awards. In the last 12 months alone, the team has helped companies win more than £1billion worth of contracts.

Their extensive track record brings unparalleled expertise to the NSPP, ensuring suppliers receive practical, high-quality guidance to maximise their chances of winning bids.

Common SME Challenges and How NSPP Can Help Overcome Them

SMEs often cite lack of time, expertise, and understanding of frameworks as barriers to public sector success. The NSPP has been designed with these challenges in mind. It is free, flexible, and structured to minimise time commitments while delivering maximum value.

The programme is built around three core themes:

  1. Introduction to Public Procurement
  2. Bid Writing Skills
  3. Social Value

Each theme is repeated quarterly, allowing busy businesses to slot training into their schedules. By engaging consistently with the programme over time, suppliers steadily build their knowledge and confidence, creating a sustainable approach to bidding.

The NSPP is already delivering measurable results. In its first year, three participating suppliers secured ten public sector contracts worth a combined £3.1million. Confidence among attendees also rose dramatically - from an average of 32.6% at the start of sessions to 93.9% by the end.

Upcoming NSPP Sessions

NSPP sessions run year-round and are best attended live due to their interactive format, though materials are shared afterwards. Upcoming dates include:

Suppliers can view the full programme and register via NEPO’s Support for Suppliers page or sign up for the monthly NSPP Newsletter.

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