A tender support firm based in Wigan has confirmed its sponsorship of the Wigan Business Expo, a well-established networking event open to companies from across the borough.
The free event, scheduled from 9am to 2pm, will bring together organisations for networking opportunities, practical workshops and specialist talks aimed at encouraging business development.
JGP Consultancy, which has delivered tender support services across the UK and overseas since 2014, says the sponsorship reflects a renewed commitment to its local area. The company assists organisations throughout the tendering process, from identifying opportunities to preparing final submissions, and will be actively involved on the day.
Managing Director Kathryn Pearson says the move followed a straightforward but meaningful discussion.
“We’ve always been led by our clients, and that’s taken us across the UK, Europe and further afield,” she says. “But at a recent family meal someone asked why we weren’t doing more in Wigan. We’re a family business, most of our family live locally, and there wasn’t a strong reason not to focus more on our hometown.”
“We will continue working nationally and internationally, but there is now a real focus on helping businesses closer to home accelerate their growth, particularly in the public sector. Sponsoring the Expo felt like a natural place to start.”
She added that local events provide valuable access for smaller firms.
“Not every business has the time or resources to attend large national events,” she says. “A strong local Expo gives companies the chance to learn, ask questions, and meet potential partners right on their doorstep. That strengthens the whole community and makes real differences to local businesses.”
During the exhibition, JGP Consultancy will host a stand and offer advice to organisations considering public sector work. Despite the scale of public procurement in the UK, many smaller firms still view the process as overly complex or inaccessible.
Kathryn says the team is keen to change that view.
“We want people to feel comfortable starting the conversation,” she says. “If a business is not sure whether they can or should tender, we can usually give them clarity within five minutes. If they know they should be tendering but have not had success, we can show them a clear pathway forward. And if they already tender but find it time consuming and difficult, we can take that pressure off.”
As part of their involvement in the event, JGP Consultancy will also be delivering a workshop, targeted at SMEs and service providers who want to unlock new revenue streams but may have previously found tendering intimidating.
The 30 minute session will take place at 11:30 am, and attendees will be able to understand how to find, prepare for and win public sector contracts.
For Kathryn and the JGP Consultancy team, the workshop is just one part of a much bigger picture. The real value of the Expo, she says, is the opportunity it creates for the local business community to come together, share knowledge and support one another.
“Strong local economies are built when businesses support each other,” she says. “If this event helps companies make new connections, discover new opportunities or simply feel more supported, then it is doing exactly what it is meant to do.”
Wigan Business Expo takes place at The Edge Arena on Thursday 12th March from 9am to 2pm and is free for visitors to attend.
