Redfern news

Published on 12 / 03 / 12

Government Minister “Wants More Redferns”

Francis Maude speaking at the Public Procurement Briefing 2012

Speaking in London at an event to mark the first anniversary of the launch of the Government's SME agenda, Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, highlighted Redfern Travel as a leading example of success in the SME sector.

In his keynote speech to an audience of government officials, SMEs and major PLCs, Francis Maude announced a range of new policy commitments and reviewed the Government's progress over the first year of its SME Agenda.

Maude said: "A year ago the Prime Minister and I launched a package of radical measures to increase opportunities for SME suppliers and to give us access to SMEs creativity and innovation, with the ultimate aspiration that we would deliver 25% of our central Government procurement spend through SMEs by the end of this Parliament.

"Government contracts don't have to be, and often shouldn't be, so big and complicated. Redfern Travel is a great example. We split Government travel into two lots enabling SMEs to bid and Redfern won the contract for domestic travel.

"What's more they offered a price that is a saving of over 70% compared to current costs- saving us over £20 million in four years.

"I want many more Redferns."

Francis Maude's full speech can be read at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/sme-procurement-event-francis-maude-speech

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