North firms urged to compete for Olympic work
Nov 5 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
Stacy Hall, director of communications and tourism at One North East, said: “This news is a welcome addition to the London 2012 Games business offer and presents a fantastic opportunity for North East firms to win valuable new business.
“Working closely with Business Link in the North East, we will continue to promote the wide range of opportunities available to regional firms and how they can bid to access them.
“I would urge all businesses to sign up to use the free CompeteFor service, which now has approximately 1,800 companies from across the region signed up to access London 2012 contracts.”
Paul Taylor, project director at Business Link, said: “The 2012 Games Business Summit illustrates the vast range of opportunities that are available to companies across the UK, along with the extensive support network that is available for those who wish to benefit from this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“In the North East, Business Link has launched a new dedicated procurement service called Compete North East to support the region’s companies, and is working in partnership with One North East to ensure businesses get all the support they need to tender for and win Olympic contracts.
“Key sectors and areas of business that Compete North East is now focusing on to develop Olympic opportunities include performance arts and entertainers, event management, security services, transport and logistics, advanced manufacturing, professional services and sports facilities.
“Businesses of any size or sector can get involved and tender for contracts related to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and I urge anyone who wants to know more to get in touch with Compete North East, today.”
Business leaders from across the UK yesterday heard that, with less than 1,000 days to go to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there are still approximately £1.7bn worth of contracts to be awarded by LOCOG and the ODA. This will generate thousands of additional business opportunities through the supply chains.
Peter Mandelson, Business Secretary, said: “This event showcases the £1.7bn still on offer for businesses in the Olympic project, and the springboard it provides to win business in other sporting events worldwide.
“With Government and business working together, companies of all sizes across the UK can share in Olympic gold.”
LOCOG will begin ramping up its procurement in the autumn awarding over £700m of contracts in eight sectors including technology, security and ceremony delivery.
While the majority of the ODA’s contracts have now been let, there is still up to a £1bn worth of goods and services still to be procured. These include facilities management, design and temporary construction.
