I recently had the pleasure of meeting Shirley Cooper OBE—Crown Representative. Our conversation was both insightful and inspiring, touching on the challenges that SMEs face when supplying government departments. Shirley’s deep understanding of public sector procurement and her advocacy for greater SME inclusion made for a valuable discussion. It was refreshing to engage with someone who not only recognises these challenges but is actively working to improve access and opportunity for SMEs.
From navigating complex frameworks to ensuring cash flow resilience amid long procurement cycles, the hurdles facing SMEs in this space are significant. However, with the right structures and policies in place, these challenges can be mitigated. Our discussion reaffirmed the need for ongoing collaboration between government bodies and SMEs to foster innovation, agility, and efficiency in public procurement.
The introduction of The Procurement Act 2023 marks a big shift in how procurement is managed across government and the wider public sector. While the ambition to create a more transparent, accessible, and competitive landscape is commendable, the real test will be in how it plays out in practice.
For SMEs, the Act brings both opportunities and uncertainties. On the one hand, there’s a push to simplify procurement and cut unnecessary complexity, which should make things easier for smaller businesses to compete. On the other, adapting to new rules, compliance measures, and the inevitable early-stage issues could be tricky.
A key question is whether the Act will genuinely level the playing field or whether established procurement practices will continue to favour larger players. SMEs bring innovation, flexibility, and efficiency—qualities that are vital for public sector transformation. If the Act can genuinely break down barriers and make competition fairer, the benefits could be huge.
At Malikshaw, we’ve worked with many major government bodies like Homes England, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the Cabinet Office. These partnerships have shown us just how important SMEs are in delivering value to the public sector. Across all these organisations, a common theme has emerged—SMEs play a vital role in fostering agility, driving innovation, and bringing fresh perspectives to complex challenges.
Take our Transformation Trailblazers programme, for example. Pretty much every major consultancy agrees—around 70% of transformations fail to meet their objectives. And the number one reason they give? Poor leadership.
Now, the big four consultancies, who are often the government’s go-to for advice, naturally promote their own people rather than looking to independent expertise. But here’s the thing: the real game-changers—the people who’ve actually delivered the most successful transformations—often sit outside those firms. And by default, that means government could be shutting itself off from the very talent that could turn this statistic around.
Of course, levelling the playing field is a shared responsibility across all kinds of organisations. But a programme like Transformation Trailblazers, which gives government direct access to the most proven and successful transformation leaders, is invaluable. And the reality is, that kind of access only truly comes through SMEs like Malikshaw.
Whether it’s supporting infrastructure projects, enabling digital transformation, or contributing to procurement reform, smaller businesses are consistently demonstrating their ability to deliver tailored, effective solutions that larger firms often struggle to provide. The government’s commitment to increasing SME participation is promising but making procurement frameworks genuinely accessible and ensuring this flows throughout the supply chain, will be crucial to success. A point that clearly resonated with Shirley.
Looking back on our experiences, it’s clear that SMEs aren’t just suppliers—they’re crucial partners in public sector transformation. Our ability to build strong teams, move quickly, and bring fresh perspectives makes us invaluable to government projects.
At Malikshaw, we don’t just deliver projects. We help drive transformation—whether that’s through digital solutions, policy support, or strategic change. We build resilient teams, encourage innovation, and make sure public sector initiatives achieve real results.
The procurement landscape is changing, and while there are challenges ahead, there are also plenty of opportunities. The Procurement Act 2023 is a step in the right direction, but its impact will partially depend on how well government departments embrace the potential of SMEs. With continued collaboration, strong advocacy, and a focus on delivering real value, we can help shape a procurement system that genuinely supports innovation and efficiency.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this develops and will keep sharing insights as we navigate this evolving space.
Rob Shaw
Director
