Highland suppliers invited to take care of business

Highland local suppliers are being invited to attend events aimed at helping them to develop their skills in tendering for public sector contracts.

Organised by The Highland Council and Business Gateway, the events entitled "Taking Care of Business 2024" are focussing in particular on opportunities for businesses with The Highland Council as well as the public sector in general.

Dingwall is the location of the suppliers' events today (Thursday 7th October) followed by Brora 9th, Wick 10th, Bettyhill 11th November and Ullapool 7th, Fort William 8th, and Portree 9th December. Earlier events took place at Newtonmore, Nairn, and Inverness.

The events will take the form of drop-in sessions and will run from 12 noon to 2:30pm and then again from 5pm to 7:30 pm.

Various procurement staff representing The Highland Council will be there to answer queries and provide guidance on how to do business with the Council and they will be accompanied, this year, by an Information Technology representative from the Highland Council's main ICT supplier, Fujitsu, who will be on hand to assist with ICT related queries. Representatives from the Business Gateway will also be there to provide advice on general business related topics.

During the sessions a series of 5 short presentations will be delivered covering topics such as the Highland Council's procurement strategy and specific ways that the Council operates including use of framework agreements and working with consultants. The Council's electronic procurement systems will be summarised and Business Gateway will provide information as to what services they provide to businesses. The presentations will run at 1pm and again at 5.30pm.

Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chair of Resources said: "The programme forms an important element of our engagement with the business, social enterprise, and voluntary sector communities. It is your opportunity to tell us how we can be more helpful in working with you, to learn more about the Council's procurement plans for the next few years, and to develop your "e-business" skills with support from the Council's main ICT services provider, Fujitsu."

Local suppliers/businesses are welcome to drop in for as much or as little as they choose at: