July 2026 Newsletter
Welcome to the Summer edition of our quarterly Supplier Newsletter. We have refreshed our format to make it easier to find the news, opportunities and events most relevant to you. As always, we welcome your feedback on these changes or any suggestions for future editions at supplierdevelopment@edinburgh.gov.uk
In this edition we look back at the recent National Meet the Buyer where businesses had the opportunity to meet in person with procurement colleagues and make valuable new connections.
This edition shines a spotlight on Community Benefits and how contractors and schools are working together, to inspire the next generation of skilled professionals. Pupils from across Edinburgh took part in the two day Build Your Future event at Edinburgh Castle discovering careers in construction, heritage and the built environment while supporting the Council’s Curriculum Pathways Programme. The sunshine certainly helped but it was the enthusiasm and engagement of the young people that made the event such a success.
We’re introducing our new free training / events area which we hope will help with forward planning for your diaries.
Finally, you’ll find our usual update on upcoming tender opportunities. If you are new to working with the public sector, don’t forget to register for contract alerts on the Public Contract Scotland website, so you never miss an opportunity.
If you would like to receive our quarterly supplier newsletter direct to your inbox, please email us at supplierdevelopment@edinburgh.gov.uk.
We look forward to working with you.
Bridget Lambert
Head of Commercial and Procurement Services
National Meet the Buyer Event – 2 June 2026
Picture: Bridget meeting with suppliers at the event
Procurement colleagues were delighted to support the National Meet the Buyer Event which took place on 2 June 2026, at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The event was organised by our partners at the Supplier Development Programme and was widely attended with 1450 businesses attending on the day. It was a great opportunity to speak to many suppliers and potential suppliers in person answering as many questions as we could and finding out more about their businesses. We shared opportunities and helpful information, and the event was a great success.
Community Benefits at Edinburgh Castle
Pupils from Queensferry High School and Holy Rood RC High School engaging in the skills demonstration
Hundreds of Edinburgh pupils are gaining hands-on experience of careers in construction, heritage and the built environment thanks to Community Benefits delivered through Council contracts. Community Benefits are commitments built into Council contracts that create additional value for local communities beyond the contract itself.
Using Community Benefits, The Build Your Future events supported by the Council are giving young people the opportunity to meet industry professionals, try practical skills and discover career pathways in schools across the city. The events provide young people with practical, hands-on demonstrations designed to raise awareness of careers in construction, heritage and the built environment, while supporting the Council’s Curriculum Pathways Programme.
Working alongside Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Traditional Building Forum, the Council has developed the Council’s Curriculum Pathways Programme to inspire young people, to consider careers in traditional construction skills. The pathways now include opportunities for pupils to gain qualification such as National 5 courses in Creative Industries.
Pupils were invited from seven schools from across Edinburgh to participate in a Build Your Future event at Edinburgh Castle over two days in May. Industry partners played a central role in bringing the programme to life. The National Federation of Roofing Contractors, Stone Federation Great Britain, Edinburgh College, Thermal Insulation Contractors Association and My World of Work all delivered practical demonstrations and careers advice. Tilbury Douglas also gave the young people an exclusive “behind the scenes” tour of the construction works supporting the Edinburgh Military Tattoo that they were constructing, including spectacular views from the Royal Box.
Johnny Ross from Boroughmuir High School commented “this is the most engaged I’ve seen this group of pupils in all the time I’ve had the pleasure to teach them.”
The Council looks forward to expanding Build Your Future to more schools over the coming year, continuing to connect pupils with the employers and skills needed for Edinburgh’s future workforce.
Upcoming Free Training and Events
The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) hosts events throughout the year including workshops, seminars and exhibitions to help your business become more competitive when submitting a tender. All events are free of charge to registered SMEs, supported businesses and charities that are based in Scotland.
All you need to do is register with SDP to access the free training.
Companies are encouraged to “self-select” what training is appropriate to them, and this could be from Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the experience your organisation has in terms of tendering.
You can browse all the courses on offer and book directly with SDP.
The Edinburgh Fair Work Action Group is planning to launch a newsletter to keep local organisations and employers who are interested in fair work informed on:
- The work of the action group.
- National, regional and local fair work policy developments and opportunities to influence policy and legislation.
- Relevant upcoming fair work events, publications and other fair work developments.
The group has just launched a survey on the Council’s consultation hub to gather contact details for those who would like to receive the newsletter.
Business Gateway offers free support to help businesses at every stage of their journey. You can access free one-to-one expert advice, online resources, market research reports, and a wide variety of webinars and workshops.
Our Pitching for Big Business workshop helps businesses access opportunities through public sector contracts, competitive tenders and corporate supply chains. You can
- join an online webinar at 2pm to 4pm on Wednesday 19 August
- or register and attend an in-person session at 10am to 12:30pm on Friday 25 September at Waverley Court, East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG
For more tailored support, our Expert Help programme provides specialist one-to-one advice, including procurement support to help strengthen tender submissions.
To book a workshop or find out more, contact your Business Gateway adviser or register for support through Business Gateway. If you don’t have an adviser, you can register for support at Business Gateway.
NHS Lothian Anchors Meet the Buyer Event - 2 September 2026 at The Western General Hospital from 10am – 3pm. Come and meet our Procurement team, along with other organisations, for any questions about public sector procurement that you may have for them. If you would like to attend, please register in advance at NHS Lothian Anchors Meet the Buyer Event Tickets, Wednesday 2 September • 10am to 3pm
Supplier drop-in sessions
Commercial and Procurement Services team runs monthly virtual 1-2-1 engagement sessions. These are an excellent opportunity to ask any burning questions you may have if you’re interested in working in, or becoming part of, the supply chain that delivers goods, services or works to the Council. If you’d like to drop-in, please email procurement.delivery@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Tender opportunities
You can find details of contract opportunities with the Council on the Public Contract Scotland website. You will also find future opportunities for noting interest and engaging in the development where appropriate, we expect these will include the following.
Quick Quote Opportunity
- Stonemasonry - Dry Stone Walling, for distribution August 2026. Email details and note of interest, with Stonemasonry in subject title, to procurement.delivery@edinburgh.gov.uk by 31 July 2026
Prior Information Notice (PIN)
Future opportunities
- Energy Supply to Void Council Residential Homes, estimated publishing date July 2026
- Letter Distribution and Installation, estimated publishing date, August 2026
- Homelessness Prevention – Provision of Furniture, Household Essentials, Decorating Services and Service User Support, estimated publishing date August 2026.
- Receipt and Processing of Wood, estimated publishing date August 2026.
- Support Services to BAME Women, estimated publishing date September 2026.
- Inclusive Recruitment Training Workshop for Recruiting Managers estimated publishing date September 2026
- Income Maximisation, Welfare and Debt Advice Service, estimated publishing date September 2026.
- Roads & Infrastructure Framework Agreement, estimated publishing date, September 2026.
- Disabled Ramps (Moveable & Permanent) estimated publishing date, September 2026.
- Leased Property Insurance, estimated publishing date October 2026
- Fleet Vehicle Disposal, estimated publishing date, October 2026
- Learning & Development Framework Agreement, estimated publishing date October 2026
- Assembly Rooms Catering Panel, estimated publishing date November 2026