Member Article

Manchester social enterprise builds future with Procure Plus

Northern-based social enterprise, The Big Life group, has appointed Procure Plus to streamline its procurement of contractors and materials for the maintenance of its estate.

With a number of social businesses, and charities throughout the region, The Big Life group required a new means of procuring the services and tools necessary to sustain and expand its offer.

Adopting the North West regeneration consortium’s technology, reporting and labour recruitment systems, The Big Life group has already completed a series of day to day repair projects across its property portfolio.

Procure Plus’ existing partnerships with a variety of local, qualified, reputable contractors has significantly reduced the time resource spent by The Big Life group in completing and managing repairs since the initial trial began earlier this year.

Stockport-based building, maintenance and refurbishment firm, FT Finley has already been appointed via the framework to undertake repair works including minor plumbing and electrical works, joinery, and decoration works such as repairing locks.

The Big Life group is currently working with Procure Plus to procure contractors for a series of large scale developments including roofing, windows and external masonry works.

Fay Selcvan, CEO at The Big Life group, said: “By utilising Procure Plus’ frameworks, we are able to avoid the time consuming task of identifying and vetting suitable high quality contractors.

“It makes sense for us to work with an organisation that echoes our own values and already offers support to the community we operate in.”

Matt Jarratt, operations manager at Procure Plus, said: “Managing a complete procurement process can be time and cost intensive, no matter the size or type of your business. Using our expertise and resources, The Big Life group has been able to save time and money which can be better spent achieving its business objectives.

“We believe it is important to support organisations that are truly making a difference, and look forward to helping The Big Life group further streamline their systems.”

The Big Life group was launched in April 2002 with the mission to Change the World. Since then the group has succeeded in growing social businesses and has created opportunities for people to change their lives.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .