As part of the overall Heathrow Local Growth Task Force, the Supply Chain Task and Finish Group, led by Isabelle Liu, Heathrow’s Supply Chain Manager, have set out the local SME engagement strategies, bringing all local stakeholders together, and played a key role in shaping and supporting the launch of the new Heathrow SME Academy.
The Heathrow SME Academy is a new learning and development support programme, designed to support SMEs in developing their capabilities to meet the procurement requirements of large buyers like Heathrow.
SME Academy aims to provide SMEs the support they need to confidently bid for works and onboard with Heathrow, supply chain partners, and other large buyers. Aligning with Heathrow’s Connecting People and Planet sustainability strategies, this initiative will support Heathrow’s strategic objective of fostering a thriving supply chain and making a positive impact on the SME community.
Its impacts include: increasing SME participation in large procurement projects, improving supplier readiness in the industry, enhancing diversity and resilience in the supply chain and supporting SME growth and promoting inclusive procurement opportunities.
This is an exciting development and is open to new SMEs in relevant areas or existing SMEs already in the Heathrow supply chain.
