Chamber partnership to unlock opportunities for East Birmingham and North Solihull businesses

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) has partnered with business support specialists Newable to launch Get Ready 2 Supply, a programme which will enable firms in East Birmingham and North Solihull opportunities to access contract opportunities with some of the region’s largest institutions. 

Get Ready 2 Supply, working with Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, builds on ongoing work to enable more small and medium-sized local businesses and social enterprises to access key procurement opportunities with members of the Birmingham Anchor Network and other large local businesses. 

The Birmingham Anchor Network, established in 2019, is comprised of six large organisations in the city-region – Aston University, Birmingham City Council, Bournville Village Trust, the Pioneer Group, the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. 

The programme is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will directly connect East Birmingham and North Solihull businesses to customers and contracts. 

It will boost their confidence and capacity to invest in new products and services, while supporting their ability to collaborate and build clusters. 

Get Ready 2 Supply offers eligible firms in in East Birmingham and North Solihull: 

• One-to-one tailored supply chain readiness support from experienced business advisors 
• Expert-led workshops, designed to ensure firms are ready to access supply chain opportunities 
• Match-making ‘Meet the Buyer’ opportunities, where they will have the opportunity to discuss the provision of specific products and services 

Get Ready 2 Supply will also award up to 10 eligible firms with capacity-building grants of up to £8,000 per business, to remove logistical obstacles to their contracting competitiveness. 

Raj Kandola (pictured), director of external affairs at the Chamber said: “Supporting businesses in East Birmingham and North Solihull to access new markets and local opportunities is critical to inclusive economic growth in Greater Birmingham. 

"Get Ready 2 Supply offers businesses in these parts of the city-region bespoke support to exploit the significant local market opportunities associated with anchor institutions such as the region’s universities, hospitals and housing associations. 

"The programme presents a unique opportunity for eligible firms to engage in new markets, develop new or improved products and services and increase revenue.” 

Find out more about Get Ready 2 Supply and apply to the programme.