Member Article

Government appoints Enterprise Nation and StartUp Britain entrepreneur as Crown Representative

Female entrepreneur Emma Jones MBE has been appointed as Small Business Crown Representative.

In her new position, working with government departments and the Crown Commercial Service, Emma will help UK small businesses bid for and win government contracts.

Emma Jones is the founder of small business support group Enterprise Nation, and the co-founder of the national enterprise campaign ‘StartUp Britain’.

She has also recently been announced as one of the government’s trade ambassadors.

The Crown Representative for SMEs is the voice of smaller businesses, at the centre of government. Their aim is to support the government’s target of one third of procurement spend flowing directly or indirectly to SMEs.

Emma’s responsibilities include:

• working with government and the refreshed Small Business Panel to identify remaining barriers to SMEs in doing business with the public sector
• supporting the launch of a new campaign to help show that “Government is Open for Business” for SMEs and wants to help them bid for and win more contracts
• increasing awareness with smaller businesses of opportunities to deliver on behalf of larger private sector firms who are delivering government contracts
• working with government to identify new opportunities to get best value from SMEs

Emma said: “I’m delighted to be working in the role of SME Rep and helping realise the target of £1 in every £3 spent with small business by 2020. Entrepreneurs and founders are always on the look-out for new contracts and markets, and government represents a large one!

“Over the next 12 months, I’ll be supporting small businesses in getting tender ready, connecting them with buyers from central government and tier one suppliers, and shining a spotlight on those who have successfully made sales.

“I’ll be looking to simplify further the bureaucracy that small businesses can face, and increase awareness of opportunities so that start-ups and SMEs have more chances to build their businesses.

“Securing a government contract is a great way for firms to bring in a steady income stream that can really help a business to grow – especially with the Government’s pledge to pay within 30 days.”