The Institute of Business Consulting (IBC) is working with the Government to help small management consultancy and interim management agencies to raise their profile in the public sector and bid for new contracts.
According to the IBC, complex Government procurement strategies mean smaller consulting companies find it difficult to sell their services to UK government, even if they have exactly the right skills and experience to do the work required.
The IBC's Director, Lynda Purser, explained that procurement frameworks have made it almost impossible for many of smaller members to do business with the UK government and, as was stated in the recent Glover Report, the public sector would benefit from greater diversity in its suppliers and the skills and experience they can bring.
She went on to say that by working with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and the Home Office the new venture will specifically address how government can work better with small practices.
The new initiative will also explore how the IBC might encourage consortia between its member practices to bid for work and make government tender opportunities more visible to all.
Nigel Smith, Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), is enthusiastic about the new venture, and recently confirmed his support for the IBC's work as a key professional body for consultancy, setting and raising the standards of professional practice in consultancy.