We are currently living in a highly challenging world where supply chain issues are an everyday occurrence whether that be securing and managing supply and demand for smooth operations, minimising costs, mitigating risks or maintaining quality.

As a large Cumbrian organisation (250 employees +), you will already appreciate the specific dynamics at play in our region making it difficult to positively influence the much-needed economic growth.

The Regional Supply Chain Network (RSCN) based in Cumbria was set up to help facilitate this endeavour by connecting and empowering the Cumbrian supply chain including up-skilling the county in Procurement and Supply - a subject that is often ‘left to chance’ despite the direct impact on the bottom line especially in the 89% (20,225) of micro-businesses in our region*.

Work to date has reinforced the fact that there is currently no easy way to gather information relative to the organisations that operate within Cumbria making it difficult for buyers &/or suppliers to connect.   There is also no skills or career framework to support organisations in Procurement and Supply and the significant value it can bring.

Working with, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Enterprising Cumbria, Team Barrow, Cumbria Community Foundation, the University of Cumbria, the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, Cumbria Council for Voluntary Services and the Federation of Small Businesses, to name a few, we are proposing to hold a three-day event in the 4th quarter this year allowing us to help to address the problem described.

In summary, the objective of the event would be to:

• Connect the region internally and externally by linking the 65 (0.3%) large organisations* and their tier 1 suppliers with as many of the 22k micro-organisations via clusters.
  (‘Cluster’ organisations are typically same or related industries collaborating and coordinating their activities to achieve shared goals and objectives).
• Showcase Cumbria cross sector supply chain capability & capacity and facilitate fast introductions with potential for problem solving / collaboration / business winning opportunities / social impact.
• Promote the value of Procurement and Supply and signpost how and where to get help.
• Enable support organisations including Third Sector to promote their services.
• Encourage an open-minded environment recognising that capabilities may migrate between sectors enabling diversification and /or adjacent markets.

We are hopeful of holding the event at The Bridge and the new Cumbria University Campus in Barrow.  This would not only showcase these fantastic facilities, but it would also evidence the amount of investment and regeneration in this part of our county.