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More than 1,000 small businesses have signed up to a scheme that helps micro and small firms access public sector contracts.
Supply Connect was launched by small business support platform Enterprise Nation to capitalise on opportunities created by the Procurement Act 2023. It introduced regulations aimed at tackling the challenges faced by small firms in accessing contracts from public sector organisations.
Data from Tussell’s SME Tracker 2025 shows that the share of public procurement spent directly with SMEs has been stuck at around 20% a year for the past six years, despite SMEs representing 99.9% of the total UK business population.
Supply Connect, supported by Newable and JPMorganChase, has received 14,500 unique views in six months from a diverse range of businesses. Around 37% are female-owned and 41% are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, communities historically underrepresented in public sector supply chains.
The top sectors attracting interest are facilities management, construction and food and drink.
Alex Williams, founder of Tiger Cleaning, a commercial and residential cleaning company operating in London and the South East, joined Supply Connect with ambition but limited experience of public sector procurement.
“I admit I was pretty clueless,” he said. “As SME owners, we don’t really understand where to go, what to do, how to answer questions, what sites to register with.”
With support from an adviser, Tiger Cleaning navigated the accreditation process, including achieving the demanding ISO 9001:2015 certification and Constructionline Gold status, and began attending meet the buyer events organised through the programme.
As a result, Williams says the business has won four significant tenders, with contract values between five and six figures, including a two-year construction cleaning contract with a leading UK construction company covering six 30-storey residential tower blocks.
“It’s like having a mentor,” Williams said. “Supply Connect opened up the gates for us. It’s been an all-round learning tool, not just for applying for tenders, but for how we run the business, how we present ourselves, how we grow.”
Maggie Berry OBE, SME procurement lead at Enterprise Nation, said:
“More than 1,000 businesses signing up in six months tells us about the appetite for public sector work is out there and growing. When small businesses are given the right tools and guidance, they can compete and win in markets that previously felt out of reach.”
