St Helens Businesses invited to free masterclasses on winning major construction contracts
St Helens businesses are being invited to attend two free masterclasses on winning major construction contracts. Facilitated by St Helens Borough Council, St Helens Business Launchpad - delivered by The Growth Company, an award-winning social enterprise - has teamed up with VINCI Building to help local SMEs capitalise on the regeneration work that is currently transforming the town centre.
Article date: 24 February 2024
The fully funded online sessions offer practical, expert-led guidance on everything from bid writing to supply chain management, giving businesses the tools they need to position themselves as credible, contract-ready suppliers on large-scale projects. Both webinars are open exclusively to businesses based within the St Helens borough.
The webinars are the latest example of support for local businesses from the town centre regeneration project happening now in St Helens. The transformational scheme is led by St Helens Borough Council and ECF - a partnership between Homes England, Muse and L&G.
The first session, 'Winning Work: Bid Writing Strategies for SMEs', takes place on Wednesday 4th March 2026, 9:00am-10:00am. It will guide attendees through the essentials of writing a compelling bid, covering what Tier 1 contractors look for, how to meet requirements, and demonstrate social value and innovation - increasingly important factors in public and private sector procurement alike.
The second session, 'Building Strong Partnerships: Supply Chain Management & Growth Strategies for SMEs', follows on Monday 9th March 2026, 9:00am-10:00am. This masterclass focuses on how SMEs can build lasting relationships within major construction supply chains.
Both webinars are delivered via Microsoft Teams and are open to SME owners, their business development and bid managers, procurement, compliance and quality managers. With significant investment flowing into the town centre, now is the time for local businesses to ensure they have the knowledge and confidence to put themselves forward for the opportunities that regeneration brings.
Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business & Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council said; "St Helens Borough is going through a once in a generation period of regeneration and, as outlined in our Inclusive Growth Strategy, we are committed to supporting businesses in the borough to access new opportunities linked to our major investments. Events such as these webinars are practical examples focused on equipping local businesses and suppliers with the tools they need to access opportunities and demystify the procurement process. I would urge businesses in our borough to take advantage of this fully funded support."
Ian Dunkerley, Delivery Manager, St Helens Business Launchpad said: "We have received very positive feedback from a range of webinars that have already taken place. These latest sessions acknowledge that St Helens has genuinely talented, ambitious businesses that deserve to be winning work on the major programmes and projects that are transforming this borough. Too often, procurement feels like a barrier rather than a gateway - the language is unfamiliar, the expectations feel unclear, and businesses talk themselves out of bidding before they've even started. These masterclasses are about changing that. We want local businesses to walk away with the confidence to put their name forward, the knowledge to structure a compelling bid, and a clear understanding of exactly what Tier 1 contractors are looking for."
Matt Whiteley, Senior Project Manager at ECFsaid:"Successful town centre regeneration creates lasting economic benefit for the whole community, and that means ensuring local businesses are genuinely equipped to compete for the contracts it generates. Whether it is understanding what major contractors expect, navigating the tender process, or learning how to build long-term supply chain partnerships, these sessions offer real, actionable insight. The partnership between St Helens Business Launchpad and VINCI Building is a strong example of the public and private sectors working together to build that capacity, and we are delighted to be supporting it."
Hannah Bailey, Social Value Manager at VINCI Building: "Working with local SMEs is central to how we approach major projects. Securing contracts with Tier 1 contractors requires more than competitive pricing - it demands credibility, compliance, and the ability to demonstrate innovation and social value. These masterclasses are designed to demystify exactly that, giving local firms the practical knowledge and confidence to put themselves forward and win work on the town centre regeneration."
Places are limited. St Helens businesses can register their interest now, and the St Helens Business Launchpad team will confirm attendance and provide joining details ahead of each session.
Businesses in St Helens can register their interest by using the links below
St Helens Business Launchpad: Bid Writing Strategies for SMEs
Wed, 4 Mar 2026 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
St Helens Business: Supply Chain Management & Growth Strategies for SMEs
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Or by contacting St Helens Business Launchpad directly St Helens | GC Insight