Tuesday August 11th 2026
Inverclyde Council headquarters
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Inverclyde businesses interested in securing contracts with the council are being encouraged to sign up to a free networking event.
Meet the Buyer is being held at the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, on Tuesday 25 August from 9.30am till 12.30pm.
Businesses and social enterprises of all sizes and sectors are welcome to attend. A similar event held in Inverclyde in February 2023 had very positive feedback with 90 per cent of attendees saying they were more likely to bid for public sector contracts.
Confirmed exhibitors include Inverclyde Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and the Supplier Development Programme, Business Gateway Inverclyde, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), Flexibility Works, Living Wage Scotland, Riverclyde Homes, Scotland Excel and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
In the 2024/25 financial year, Inverclyde Council’s total procurement spend was more than £105 million , of which £54m was spent with small to medium enterprises (SMEs), £21m with Inverclyde-based suppliers and service providers, and nearly £18m with third-sector organisations.
These local businesses were supplying services such as transport, catering, social care, environmental, vocational training, demolition, architectural and professional services, trade supplies and many more.
Convener of environment and regeneration, Councillor Michael McCormick, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to create valuable links with the public sector.
“We are very aware we are the custodians of the public purse here in Inverclyde and we want to make sure we get value for money as well as working with the best people for the job.
“At the last Meet the Buyer event in 2023, we had 34 unique Scottish businesses attend from Inverclyde and it would be great to increase that number this time around.”
This event is hosted by the Supplier Development Programme (SDP), a business support organisation which is publicly funded and led by local authorities, and partnered by Scottish Government and Scotland Excel.
SDP Programme Manager, Gillian Cameron said: “SDP is thrilled to be bringing Meet the Buyer back to Inverclyde.
“Events like this are a great opportunity for local businesses, giving you the chance to meet buyers face to face, learn about upcoming contract opportunities, and start building the relationships that can help your business grow.
“Whether you are new to public sector procurement, or looking to expand your supply chain presence, this is your chance to get the information and connections you need.”
To book your space at the Meet the Buyer event in Inverclyde, go to www.sdpscotland.co.uk.
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