Critical Supply Group meets to strengthen UK supply chains by reducing the gap between policy and practice
Photo: CSG Co-Chair George Middleton and Chair Baroness Gisela Stuart at the CSG Roundtable in July 2026
Supply chain leaders meet to discuss strengthening critical supply chains through greater alignment between government policy with business practices
Companies had the opportunity to engage with government on latest supply chain related policy and programming, and offer recommendations on how industry and government can work better together
For more information on ways to engage via the CSG’s 2026/27 programme and to discuss specific supply chain priorities, please contact CSG via: info@mapukinternational.com
The Critical Supply Group met on 2 July to increase the understanding between leading companies and the UK Government, focusing on government policy and business practice directly connected to strengthening the resilience and readiness of the UK’s critical supply chains.
The meeting, chaired by Baroness Gisela Stuart, brought together supply chain leaders in companies across multiple CNI sectors and the UK Government, as well as academics, industry bodies and other key stakeholders.
It included a presentation by the Department for Business and Trade on the UK Supply Chain Centre.
The UK and countries around the world are increasingly focused on the supply of critical inputs (including raw materials and rare earth elements), goods and services that are essential to a country’s needs.
Key recommendations that arose from the discussion included:
The UK needs for more strategic leadership on critical supply chains and resilience.
More focus should be given to critical sectors and resilience, aside growth sectors.
Strategic public procurement can more effectively used to strengthen the UK’s resilience.
Making the UK business environment more competitive is an underlying priority.
Global partnerships and securing trading relationships are an essential component of the UK supply resilience.
Participants included representatives of the following entities: AstraZeneca, Becton Dickinson (BD), BSW Group, the Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), Ethypharm, Made in Britain, Maersk, MAP UK & International, the National Preparedness Commission, Octopus Energy, RLC UK, Sizewell C, Vodafone and Wilton Park, as well as the UK’s Cabinet Office and the Department for Business and Trade.
CSG is a business-led, cross-sector alliance of companies and professionals working together to strengthen critical supply chains, in the UK and internationally. It delivers with the support of strategic partners, members and collaborators. It is managed by MAP UK & International with support from Strategic Partners including Wilton Park, Made in Britain and Babcock.
For more details, including how to get involved, or to make contact with any of the entities involved, please email info@mapukinternational.com.
MAP supports UK manufacturers to expand into Europe
MAP has supported 50 UK companies to explore expansion of their exports to Europe. This includes the facilitation of connections with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and a network of service providers and partners across the continent.
Every year, the UK exports more than £350 billion worth of goods and services to customers in Europe. Major markets include France, Germany and Spain and account for a combined total of more than £120 billion in UK exports. In 2023, the EU accounted for 42% of the UK’s exports.
Although the UK and EU trading landscape has changed since Brexit, European countries remain amongst the UK’s closest and strongest trading partners. In May 2025, the UK also secured a trade deal with the European Union, unlocking opportunities for UK exporters and reducing red tape.
Alongside this, recently proposed legislation from the European Commission such as the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) focused on strengthening Europe’s manufacturing base may also offer new opportunities if the UK is included as a strategic partner.
DBT helps ensure that UK exporters understand which markets they will likely have most success in and how to access these.
MAP works closely with a range of partners and stakeholders around the world, including via its role advising Made in Britain on international trade and supply chains. Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of 2,200 UK manufacturing companies.
MAP UK & International delivers strategic trade and supply solutions that strengthen resilience, sustainability and growth - built on trusted relationships. We work with multinationals, SMEs, governments and public bodies to navigate complex trade and supply environments. Our work spans advisory, market intelligence and implementation.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.
UK Supply Survey launched to map sovereign capability and connect buyers and suppliers
UK Supply Survey launched by MAP-managed Critical Supply Group to help identify sovereign capability and how UK businesses support critical national infrastructure
Contact details of those who complete mandatory questions will be made available to major buyers across government, public operators, strategic suppliers and Tier 1 contractors
The Critical Supply Group (CSG) is inviting UK companies to take part in a new survey to help build a clearer picture of UK supply chains, including sovereign capability, and how businesses support the UK’s 13 Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sectors.
Complete the UK Supply Survey here.
The Survey takes 3 - 8 minutes to complete, with only three mandatory questions.
Contact details of UK companies that complete the mandatory questions will be made available (subject to consent) directly to procurement and supply chain teams in major buying organisations, creating new business and partnership opportunities.
Optional supplementary questions give companies the chance to share additional detail, helping to strengthen the UK’s critical supply chains.
George Middleton, Convenor of the CSG and Director of MAP UK & International, said:
“Recent and ongoing events - including the wars in Ukraine and Iran, and wider geopolitics - have shown how exposed supply chains can be and why greater visibility, resilience and preparedness are so important.
“The UK Supply Survey is designed to respond to that challenge, giving businesses — particularly SMEs — a simple way to demonstrate what they do and connects buyers and suppliers across sectors.
“This is not about protectionism. Strong supply chains depend on free and open trade, supported by stronger relationships and a clearer understanding of capability across both UK and international markets.”
Who should take part
UK companies supplying, or capable of supplying, critical sectors. The UK’s 13 CNI sectors are, as designated by the UK Government: Chemicals, Civil Nuclear, Communications (including Data Infrastructure), Defence, Emergency Services, Energy, Finance, Food, Government, Health, Space, Transport and Water. Sector definitions are linked within the Survey.
If this is not directly relevant to your company, CSG encourages you to share the Survey with relevant UK businesses to maximise participation and impact.
Why this matters now
Recent disruption has highlighted the vulnerability of supply chains and the need for greater resilience and readiness.
As a result, organisations are reassessing where their goods and services come from, with growing attention on both domestic capability and trusted international partners
The Survey’s findings will be published in a national report, providing an overview of UK capability and identifying opportunities for growth across critical sectors.
The report will be shared with government, public operators, strategic suppliers, Tier 1 contractors and other major buyers to inform their understanding of supply capability and sourcing approaches.
Get involved
Complete the UK Supply Survey here.
Deadline: 21 May 2026.
The UK Supply Survey is being delivered with input from MAP Advisers Professors Aris Matopoulos and Edward Sweeney and shared with support from: Made in Britain, ADS Group, All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group, Association of British HealthTech Industries, Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Energy UK, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Logistics UK, Make UK, National Preparedness Commission,techUK, and UK Regulators Network.
For more information or collaboration enquiries relating to the UK Supply Survey or other Critical Supply Group initiatives, please contact info@mapukinternational.com.
The Critical Supply Group consists of companies and professionals committed to secure and resilient critical supply chains. CSG is managed by MAP UK & International.
MAP supports UK SMEs to export to Eastern Europe and Central Asia
MAP has supported UK companies to access new export opportunities in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region through connecting them with the UK Department for Business and Trade team based in the British Consulate General Istanbul, and the Country Director for Ukraine based in Kyiv.
Eastern Europe and Central Asia present strong growth potential for UK exporters, driven by increasing demand for high-quality goods and relatively lower market saturation compared to established regions. Countries within the EECAN region include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
In 2024, UK exports totalled £954 million to Ukraine, £9.2 billion to Türkiye and £76 million to Mongolia, among others, highlighting the region’s economic attractiveness.
DBT help ensure that UK exporters understand which markets they will likely have most success in and how to access these.
MAP works closely with a range of partners and stakeholders around the world, including via its role advising Made in Britain on international trade and supply chains. Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of 2,200 UK manufacturing companies.
MAP UK & International delivers strategic trade and supply solutions that strengthen resilience, sustainability and growth - built on trusted relationships. We work with multinationals, SMEs, governments and public bodies to navigate complex trade and supply environments. Our work spans advisory, market intelligence and implementation.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.
MAP supports UK SMEs to connect with Heathrow
MAP has connected over 80 UK SME manufacturers with Heathrow Airport, providing them with the tools, insights and guidance to explore new commercial opportunities.
As the UK’s only international hub airport, Heathrow plays a critical role in connecting the UK with the rest of the World. Its operations depend on the sourcing of a diverse range of works, goods and services, from cyber and technology, infrastructure and operational procurement.
Heathrow also plays an important role in supporting a thriving economy for SMEs. This includes focusing on procurement for value, increasing visibility of procurement opportunities, establishing innovation hubs for start-ups and local businesses, and working through the Heathrow Local Growth Taskforce (HLGT) to ensure Heathrow’s growth delivers tangible benefits for surrounding communities.
MAP’s work with Heathrow comes via its role advising Made in Britain on supply chains. Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of 2,200 UK manufacturing companies.
MAP UK & International delivers strategic trade and supply solutions that strengthen resilience, sustainability and growth. We do this through providing advice, intelligence and project management, as well as managing relationships between buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.