MAP brings UK manufacturing SMEs together with Rolls-Royce
MAP has connected more that 115 UK manufacturing SMEs with Rolls-Royce to find out how to supply one of the UK’s most iconic engineering and technology companies.
Rolls-Royce is at the forefront of engineering innovation that supports critical national infrastructure, international trade and global connectivity. It has a has a proud history of powering the UK and it is a key part of the wider supply chain for innovation across the country.
Today, the company is focused on seizing once-in-a-generation opportunities across defence and civil aerospace, while also advancing low-carbon and sustainable solutions in power systems.
For UK manufacturers, Rolls-Royce represents a vital partner and an opportunity to engage in some of the most strategically important programmes of our time.
MAP’s work with Rolls-Royce 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 2,200 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.
MAP helps UK SMEs supply universities and colleges
MAP has connected more than 60 UK companies with the UK Universities Procurement Consortia (UKUPC), a partnership between eight UK consortia to support collaborative procurement within Higher and Further Education, to discuss navigating UKUPC members’ procurement processes, key product categories and pipeline visibility.
Within UKUPC, regional consortia collaborate to align practices to add value, embed sustainable and responsible procurement, and deliver social value. In the UK, the combined spend on goods, works and services of Higher Education Institutions is over £10 billion per year, with UKUPC members spending around £2 billion through its framework agreements. This presents a significant opportunity for UK companies across a range of sectors.
UKUPC set up a Responsible Procurement Network in July 2020 with the aim of achieving a consistent approach across the consortia to responsible procurement throughout its. The group reviews and promotes good responsible procurement practice across its combined membership, aiding both consortia procurement professionals and its members to embed best practice within their procurement operations. Further objectives include the review of supply chain risks and provision of guidance in building supply chain resilience in relation to ethical procurement and the impacts of climate change.
MAP’s work with UKUPC 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 2,200 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.
MAP Director chairs conference on Multilateral Trade in 2025
George Middleton with WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
In his role as Associate Programme Director at Wilton Park, MAP Director George Middleton designs, convenes and facilitates policy events focusing on international trade, resilience and growth.
A stable multilateral trading system is key to global economic growth and prosperity. The challenges facing the system and the need for reform are widely recognised but there remains a gap around clear and practical solutions.
The Multilateral Trade in 2025 conference, held in partnership between Wilton Park and the UK government, helped to deepen understanding of what would be needed from a multilateral trading system of the future.
It also surfaced ideas for the reforms needed to achieve that vision and for what a process to gaining support could involve.
World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade participated and opened the event.
In a Financial Times piece in September, the WTO Director-General wrote:
“More than a few people have proclaimed the demise of the World Trade Organization. Such obituaries of the multilateral trading system have appeared since at least the 1980s but the ongoing disruptions are unprecedented in speed and scope, and have undeniably shaken confidence in open and predictable trade. World trade did collapse in the 1930s. So understanding where it may go from here requires a close look at the facts.”
George brings his experience in both the public and private sector to support Wilton Park’s core objective of bringing together experts and policy-makers to address the most complex global challenges.
For more information, please make contact via: info@mapukinternational.com.
MAP assists UK companies access finance to export
MAP has supported 45 UK companies to access financial support to export their products globally through partnering with UK Export Finance (UKEF).
UKEF is a UK government ministerial department and the nation’s export credit agency. It helps exporters access working capital and manage the risk of not getting paid by offering a government guarantee. It partners with private sector finance providers and other countries’ export credit agencies to grow UK exports and international trade. UKEF supports companies of all sizes and multiple sectors across the UK.
The UK's Trade Strategy, launched in June, set out plans for expanding UKEF’s capacity to £80 billion with up to £13 billion of direct lending used to help boost exports across key industrial sectors. It will also be able to reach more SMEs looking to grow overseas through the launch of a new Small Exports Builder.
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 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 launches Environmental & Social Value Certification
MAP has launched the Environmental & Social Value (ESV) Certification in collaboration with Made in Britain, a trade association with a growing membership now of 2,200 UK manufacturing companies.
The demand for Social Value is increasing, amongst buyers, investors and stakeholders. In the UK arguably now at the fastest rate since the Social Value Act came into force in January 2013.
The ESV Certification helps businesses, particularly SMEs, to respond to demand by better demonstrating their contributions and commitment to the environment, economy and society.
Via data, engagement and regulatory alignment, the Certification also contributes to supply chain resilience and transparency, as well as long-term, sustainable economic and commercial growth.
Alignment focuses specifically on the UK Government’s latest Social Value Model (2025) and the Procurement Act 2023. ESV Certification therefore also serves as a practical tool for buying authorities and businesses seeking UK suppliers committed to:
Jobs and skills
Community engagement
Environmental sustainability
Ethical and local supply chains
MAP UK & International, Director, George Middleton, says: “Through our UK supply chain work with SMEs, multinationals, not-for-profits and government, we see the gaps there often are between buyers and sellers. For example, read the CEO annual statement of almost any UK publicly listed company and you’ll see reference to Social Value, yet ask an SME and the majority haven’t heard of it. The ESV Certification is designed to help bring UK buyers and sellers closer together, through better recognising and connecting the mutual interest in supporting jobs, skills, communities, environmental sustainability and supply chains.”
Made in Britain, CEO, John Pearce, says: “Environmental and Social Value is increasingly central to how the UK buys, builds, and grows — and Made in Britain companies are showing exactly the kind of positive impact that buyers, stakeholders, and communities want to see. ESV Certification highlights the leadership of Made in Britain companies in doing better business for people, planet, and place. It comes as part of Made in Britain strengthening its offer to its membership, in terms of buyer engagement and supply opportunities.”
Small Business Crown Representative Shirley Cooper OBE adds: “UK SMEs are the backbone of our economy — driving sustainable growth, creating jobs, and strengthening communities across the country. I am pleased to support accessible and credible initiatives that help SMEs stand out, win new orders, and get more recognition for their commitment and contribution to the environment and society.”
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 on Social Value and the ESV Certification, please contact MAP via: info@mapukinternational.com.