Business Sheffield welcomes over 210 businesses to connect with Public Sector Buyers

people in a room attending the Business Sheffield event

We were joined by over 210 local businesses at Hallam Hall on Wednesday 8 October for the second Become a Supplier event, an informative session designed to help Sheffield businesses connect with public sector buyers and explore opportunities to work with local organisations.

Delivered in collaboration with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, the Sheffield Diverse Business Board, and the Commercial Services team at Sheffield City Council, the event brought together procurement professionals from across the region to share their insights and engage directly with local suppliers.

In his opening remarks, Glen Swaby, Head of Procurement at Sheffield City Council, reflected on the progress made since last year’s inaugural event and how the Council has responded to the feedback received. He explained that the Council and Business Sheffield have been working closely to make procurement more accessible and transparent for local businesses. Over the past year, Business Sheffield has created easy-to-follow procurement guides and videos, shared tender opportunities with more than 6,000 local firms through the Business Sheffield newsletter, and launched the Sheffield Business Directory, a free platform that helps local suppliers get noticed by council officers when new opportunities come up.

Glen also shared that local tender awards at Sheffield City Council have increased from 19% in 2021 to 61% in 2025, highlighting the growing impact of buying local and the Council’s ongoing commitment to creating more jobs and opportunities for Sheffield-based businesses.

Data showing Sheffield City Council’s contract award split between 2021 and 2024.

The day featured expert sessions from Rachel Fletcher, who shared practical tips on writing winning tenders, and Gulnaz Hussain, who spoke about her own experience of successfully securing public sector contracts with Firvale Community Hub. Mary Mundy also offered valuable insights into the Procurement Act 2023, explaining what the new legislation means for local businesses and how it will shape future opportunities.

This led into an engaging panel discussion hosted by Louisa Harrison-Walker OBE, CEO of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, bringing together senior procurement leaders from across the region for an open Q&A. The panel included Glen Swaby (Sheffield City Council), Jill Smith MCIPS (South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority), Jonathan Hilton MCIPS (NHS Procurement Director, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield Children’s Hospital and South Yorkshire ICS), Sian Holmes (Sheffield Hallam University), and Tia Eardley (The Sheffield College).

panel session at the Business Sheffield event

The discussion gave businesses a rare opportunity to hear directly from decision-makers about what buyers look for, how to strengthen tender submissions, and how Sheffield organisations are working together to make procurement more accessible and inclusive.

Together, we’re helping Sheffield businesses grow, connect, and play a bigger role in the city’s public sector supply chain.