Federation of Small Businesses - Small Business Contracts for 2012 Olympics

FSB welcomes procurement website for small businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has today welcomed efforts by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to ensure that small businesses throughout the UK can compete for contracts for the London 2012 Olympics.

The ODA has launched ‘London 2012 Business Network’, a website that will allow small businesses to register as suppliers, compete for sub-contracting opportunities offered by large companies with Olympic contracts and get advice about how to meet criteria on corporate social responsibility.

The FSB is keen to ensure that small companies are not frozen out of the procurement process for London 2012 and has welcomed the initiative as a good first step.

John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said:

“The delivery of the London 2012 Games will provide opportunities for businesses of all sizes in many sectors. We welcome the launch of the London 2012 Business Network and urge small businesses to get involved.

“We are particularly pleased that large contractors will be compelled to make public, via the network, the sub-contracting opportunities that will be most suited to smaller companies.

“But this does not guarantee that small businesses outside of large Olympic contractors’ existing supply chains will actually get work. The ODA has made a good start with the London 2012 Business Network, but we will be keeping a beady eye on the process in the coming months and years to make sure it delivers genuine opportunities for small businesses.”

The Olympic Delivery Authority and the London Organising Committee today formally launched the website of the ‘London 2012 Business Network’: www.london2012.com/business.

The FSB is Britain's biggest business organisation with over 210,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk.