Professor Christopher Bovis joins MAP as an Advisor
MAP is delighted to announce that Professor Chris Bovis (JD, MPhil, LLM, FRSA) has joined as an Advisor, bringing decades of experience and expertise to support MAP’s work on public procurement and Environmental & Social Value.
Chris is the H.K. Bevan Chair in Law and Professor of European Business Law at the University of Hull, as well as Managing Editor of the European Procurement & Public Private Partnership Law Review. He is an internationally recognised authority on EU public procurement and public-private partnerships, and his work has shaped significant legislative and policy frameworks, notably contributing to the UK’s Social Value Act, the European Public Services Directive, and the formulation of Section 106 in the UK.
He has been instrumental in shifting procurement practices away from a narrow focus on cost, towards an approach that integrates socio-economic factors, advising public bodies on how best to embed Social Value in infrastructure projects. Through extensive collaboration with governments and industry, Chris has provided evidence to House of Commons select committees, offering strategic insights into procurement, rail infrastructure, and public service delivery.
A highly published author whose writing is translated into multiple languages, Chris continues to guide policymakers across the UK and EU, underscoring procurement’s potential to deliver value for money and meaningful public benefit.
By bringing in his expert knowledge, MAP is able to strengthen its offer to its clients and partners.
MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for. MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders. MAP is increasingly focused on, and aligned with, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.
MAP brings UK companies together with the Crown Commercial Service
MAP has connected more than 75 UK companies with the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) to discuss navigating CCS procurement processes and the vital role of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in public procurement projects.
The CCS is the UK’s biggest public procurement organisation, managing and simplifying the procurement process for the government departments and public sector organisations it represents. Its main role is to help the public sector maximise every pound so precious resources can go where they’re needed most.
In 2023/24, CCS customers achieved commercial benefits equal to £4.9 billion. Commercial benefits include factors such as cost savings and reaching carbon net zero targets.
Supplying through CCS offers the following benefits:
Access to 20,000 public sector buyers.
Opportunities across 83 categories of common goods and services, from construction to energy and research.
A simplified procurement process that promotes transparency and fair competition.
Prompt payment policy implementation.
MAP has facilitated engagement in areas including accessing and navigating public sector tenders, how businesses can introduce new or innovative products into procurement frameworks, and the contribution of UK-made products to social value.
MAP’s work with the CCS comes via its role advising Made in Britain on supply chains. Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of more than 2,100 UK manufacturing companies.
MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for. MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders. MAP is increasingly focused on, and aligned with, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.
Professor Edward Sweeney joins MAP as an Advisor
MAP is delighted to announce that Professor Ed Sweeney (BA, BAI, MPhil, PhD, SFHEA, FCILT, FCMI, FInstLM, FRSA) has joined as an Advisor, bringing decades of experience and expertise to support MAP’s work on resilient supply chains and international trade.
Ed is Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Edinburgh Business School in Heriot-Watt University. He was appointed Deputy Executive Dean in Heriot-Watt's School of Social Sciences in early 2023. Ed has previously held academic positions at Aston University and the University of Warwick. His research has been widely published and he sits on the Editorial Boards of several leading international academic journals.
Ed was a Director at the National Institute for Transport and Logistics (NILT) in Dublin from 1998 to 2014 and engaged actively with businesses in Ireland and beyond during that period. He has worked extensively in the logistics, automotive, food & beverage and life sciences sectors over the years. This work has taken him to over 50 countries and fostered a keen interest in international economic and political issues.
Ed’s current focus is on the development of resilient supply chains that are both financially and environmentally sustainable.
By bringing in his expert knowledge, MAP is able to strengthen its offer to its clients and partners, including via the Critical Supply Group.
MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for. MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders. MAP is increasingly focused on, and aligned with, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.
MAP facilitates collaboration between the UK and Made in Ukraine
MAP delivers a cooperation agreement for Ukraine and Made in Britain to exchange knowledge and develop export, import and investment relationships.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in London by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and MAP Director George Middleton, advising and representing Made in Britian.
Made in Ukraine is a Ukrainian government-led programme aiming to celebrate and encourage manufacturing, in an attempt to boost tax revenues, drive exports and make the country’s economy more resilient.
Made in Britain is an independent industry trade association for UK manufacturers that license the official Made in Britain trademark – today used by more than 2,100 companies (95% SMEs). Made in Britain helps buyers to identify UK made products, and Made in Britain companies to boost their sales at home and abroad. The mark is now recognised by 8 in 10 British businesses and well over half of consumers in the UK.
The agreement will see Made in Britain share its experience and explore ways to expand cooperation between Ukrainian and British businesses, with MAP playing a significant role in the MOU’s ongoing delivery. Areas of collaboration include:
Developing, protecting and licencing a ‘Made in’ trademark;
Creating a platform for news and directory of manufacturing companies (predominantly SMEs);
Nurturing a community of companies; and,
Developing strategic relationships, including with government (domestically and internationally) and major business-to-business buyers.
Read the press note from the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy here.
Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Yuliia Svyrydenko said:
“The United Kingdom has been actively supporting Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale invasion. This year, we signed a Free Trade Agreement, which eliminates tariffs and quotas in bilateral trade until 2029. Now, we are moving to a new level of cooperation. The agreement with Made in Britain will open export opportunities for UK manufacturing companies and enhance the presence of Ukrainian goods in the British market. This is a significant boost to the ‘Made in Ukraine’ program launched this year by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It marks the first agreement with a similar foreign organization aimed at helping Ukrainian producers access new markets and boosting the export of goods made in Ukraine.”
Made in Britain’s CEO John Pearce said:
“Shocks to global supply chains have increased exponentially the emphasis on local buying. Choosing to procure high quality goods you can trust made by manufacturer you can rely on has become the mainstream business thinking through the UK and all over Europe. Made in Britain goes from strength to strength. We’re delighted to engage with the team at Made in Ukraine and make it easier for buyers and consumers to make the most responsible decisions with their purchasing power.”
Director of MAP UK & International and Advisor to Made in Britain George Middleton said:
“I’m delighted to meet Ms Svyrydenko and support Made in Ukraine. We understand the deep value of manufacturing, to a country’s economy and people, as well as the resilience of critical national infrastructure that is essential to our everyday lives. We see that across the UK and via our international trade and supply chain work in countries around the world. We look forward to growing the ties between Ukrainian and UK businesses, through 2025 and beyond.”
MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for. MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders. MAP is increasingly focused on, and aligned with, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information please contact info@mapukinternational.com.
MAP connects UK companies to NATO
MAP has connected more than 75 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with NATO to discuss opportunities to supply the organisation and explore its procurement processes.
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a political and military alliance of countries from Europe and North America. Its members are committed to protecting each other from any threat.
As the world’s leading defence and security alliance, it buys significant amounts of goods and services.
MAP’s work to date has explored two main areas:
NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) - responsible for operations, life cycle management, and logistical support. In 2023, NSPA had a budget of approximately €10 billion, much of which was spent on goods and services relevant to SMEs.
NATO’s Communication and Information Agency (NCIA) - handling NATO’s IT infrastructure, network services, and cybersecurity needs. In 2023, NCIA spent €800 million in these areas, offering opportunities for SMEs involved in technology and cybersecurity.
MAP has also engaged with DIANA, NATO’s internal defence accelerator focused on emerging and disruptive technologies. Headquartered at Imperial College London, DIANA works with over 180 test centres across the NATO alliance. Of the 1,300 companies that applied to pilot challenges in 2023, 10 advanced to phase II, with four of these being from the UK.
MAP’s work with NATO comes via its role advising Made in Britain on supply chains and international trade. Made in Britain is a trade association with a growing membership, now of more than 2,100 UK manufacturing companies.
MAP strengthens the resilience, sustainability and growth of the entities it works for. MAP does this through International Trade and Supply Chain solutions that advise, inform and connect: buyers, suppliers, investors and stakeholders.
For more information, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.