Hey there👋

Thinking of entering the UK's digital identity market? Here’s a surprising fact: Only 10% of providers offer digital wallet solutions, while 54% focus on document verification. Spot the opportunity? With the market projected to hit £4B by 2030, now’s the time to fill those gaps.

💡 Good to Know

• Property & Business Network brings Plymouth's business community together at The Treasury for an evening of connections and conversations that could lead to your next opportunity.

• Cut your energy bills - join West Lancashire businesses for a free workshop on practical carbon reduction at the Investment Centre.

• Get ahead of 2025's market trends at London Business Network's evening meetup, where diverse professionals connect at Hilton Paddington.

Here’s an overview of recent developments:

• Good to Know: Plymouth connects for business opportunities, West Lancashire offers carbon reduction workshops.

• Daily Spend Watch: Construction contracts dominate, healthcare focuses on modernization.

• Opportunity Picks: £175M forest governance contract - ideal for SMEs.

• News: AI to streamline public services, mine water heat advances net-zero goals.

Let’s dive into the details👇

DAILY SPEND WATCH

📊 Public Sector Spending Analysis: Contracts Finder Report January 20, 2025

Market Dynamics

High-value construction contracts dominate yesterday’s awards, signaling major public infrastructure investment. Healthcare procurement shows strategic focus on equipment modernization and service delivery. Digital transformation remains key priority across sectors.

Strategic Implications

High concentration in top sectors indicates prime opportunities for supply chain development. Large contract values suggest favorable conditions for consortium bidding. Emerging trend shows 45% of contracts now including social value requirements and carbon reduction targets.

Future Outlook

Strong procurement pipeline evident across major sectors. SME participation at 28% shows potential for growth. Market dynamics favor strategic partnerships and innovative delivery models, with increasing emphasis on digital capabilities and environmental performance metrics in evaluation criteria.

OPPORTUNITY PICKS

Forest Governance, Markets and Climate (FGMC) Phase 2 - Technical Assistance Portfolio Manager (TAPM)

Opportunity Overview

• Contract Value: £175,000,000

• Duration: Initial 48 months (with extension options)

• Closing Date: 12 March 2025

• Industry: Foreign economic-aid-related services

• Target Audience: Suitable for SMEs (not for VCSEs)

💡 Winning Strategies

Offer a tailored governance framework: Providing a unique governance model for forest projects that demonstrates your ability to integrate local knowledge with international best practices could differentiate your bid from others. Show how your approach leads to long-term sustainability and fosters accountability in both policy-making and international trade.

NEWS 

💡 AI to Revolutionize Public Services

The UK’s bold plan: AI like “Humphrey” will cut delays, save billions, and modernize outdated systems.

Key Highlights

• Data Sharing Overhaul: Seamless collaboration across departments.

• AI Tools: “Consult” slashes response times; “Minute” transcribes meetings.

📌 Take Action: Tech pros, SMEs, and policy wonks tap into emerging opportunities!

🌍 Mine Water Heat: A Sustainable Breakthrough

A new Living Laboratory in Gateshead unlocks mine water’s potential as a low-carbon heat source, advancing net-zero goals.

Why It Matters

• Unique Research: Studies interactions between heat schemes.

• Global First: Largest mine water heat network in the UK.

• Data Access: Open for researchers to optimize future projects.

📌 Your Move: Dive into the data, connect with experts, and shape a sustainable future!

📸 Next-Gen X-ray Imaging

STFC’s HEXITEC-MHz offers faster, high-res colour X-rays, revealing chemical composition and microstructure.

⚙️ Tech in Action

100x faster, it’s ideal for material science, medical imaging, and industrial inspections.

💡 Who It Helps

• Healthcare: Improved diagnoses

• Security: Reduced false alarms

• Industry: Faster, accurate inspections

🔬 Learn More
See how HEXITEC-MHz can transform your field.

TECHNOLOGY

🎯 Milestone Content Studio: AI-Powered Marketing Content Generator Platform

📱 NewsBang: AI News App for Smart, Interactive Reading

🔥 Firecrawl: Extract Web Data with AI-Powered Scraping Prompts

TIP OF THE DAY

♻️ AI-Driven Waste Reduction Strategies

Predictive Waste Management: Implement AI to analyze historical data on orders and consumption patterns, helping organizations minimize waste generation.

Inventory Optimization: Right-size inventory levels to reduce spoilage and obsolescence, particularly for perishable goods.

Sustainable Practices: By minimizing waste, companies contribute significantly to more sustainable procurement practices.

Quick Question!

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