Local entrepreneurs beat big businesses to win valuable contracts
Date: 30/9/09
Last night (Tuesday) Camden and Islington Councils launched the second phase of a programme that is already helping local businesses to up their game and win big when competing for valuable contracts.
The iCAM programme, which is funded by Camden Council, supports local businesses to ensure they are in a strong position to tender for contracts arising from key developments in the borough - iCAM2, the second phase of the programme, will build on this work with new and existing local businesses.
So far the project has supported businesses in Camden and Islington to secure contracts with a total value of £45 million. This equates to approximately 742 jobs created across both boroughs.
Denise Mathew of the Boma Garden Centre took part in iCAM’s mentoring programme and was tutored by Balfour Beatty on how to tender and work with a main contractor.
In June her company successfully tendered for a £200,000 landscaping contract for the £29 million residential development in Arundel Place, following an introduction by iCAM. The company then went on to be selected as one of only five businesses who are now eligible to bid for the large number of green space works carried out by Islington Council every year. As a direct result, Boma took on two new full time employees from the local area and four part time members of staff.
Denise said:
"iCAM has been a tremendous help in getting our company up to a level where we have the confidence and ability to bid for contracts from main contractors. Such initiatives can really help smaller companies to thrive, and boost local employment opportunities."
Councillor Keith Moffitt, Leader of Camden Council, said:
"Camden has a fantastically strong economy that contributes to 1% of GDP and provides 263,000 jobs each year. Programmes like iCAM ensure that local businesses benefit from the opportunities this creates – and in turn help the local economy flourish."
Councillor Andrew Marshall, Executive Member for Community Development and Planning, said:
"Camden is committed to supporting local businesses throughout the recession and into recovery. Initiatives like iCAM are crucial for making sure that local businesses are in a strong position to compete for the opportunities arising out of key developments in the borough, such as the King’s Cross development."
The event was attended by many small Camden based businesses as well as national companies, developers and lead contractors on local developments such as Network Rail, Argent Plc, Taylor Woodrow, BAM Construction Ltd.
Ref Code: PR 943 0207 974 5717
Contact:
Page last updated Sep 30, 2009 12:18 PM
Contact Camden 020 7974 4444