London 2012 gets set for Games-time business push

Speaking at the London 2012 Business Summit, organised by the Department for Business, Industry and Skills (BIS), LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe will present the scope and scale of staging Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. He will be joined by LOCOG’s Director of Procurement, Gerry Walsh who will outline in more detail the process and requirements over the next three years for LOCOG suppliers, licensees and sponsors. This includes working to LOCOG’s Sustainable Sourcing Code and Diversity & Inclusion Business Charter.

LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe commented, “The focus so far has been on the ODA and construction, but the organising committee is now at a stage where we move from planning to delivery. With less than three years to go, we’re starting the procurement process for everything we need to stage a memorable Games. The scope of this is potentially massive - from sporting equipment to catering services and beyond.

We often talk about the Games heralding a golden decade of sport and I believe that this could be matched by a golden decade of sport-related business. We want the Games to be a triumph for Britain – at the finish line and the bottom line.”

LOCOG Procurement Director Gerry Walsh commented, “There are many opportunities for companies of all sizes to get involved with London 2012 - whether it’s directly through LOCOG or through one of our sponsors, stakeholders or suppliers further down the supply chain. Staging Olympic Games and Paralympic Games requires working to tight deadlines and working within our sustainability and diversity guidelines, so we have developed criteria by which we judge companies who will supply goods and services – and that goes for sponsors, licensees and suppliers. The opportunities are out there and I would urge anyone who is interested to sign up to our procurement portal Compete For.”
As a result of the Home textiles opportunity on Compete For, LOCOG today confirms that two new licensees have been appointed to produce London 2012 licensed products. Hertfordshire based Ashley Wilde will produce licensed towels, bedding, cushions and bed throws and Cheshire company Jan Constantine will produce hand embroidered cushions and other home textile accessories. Products will go on sale in 2010.

LOCOG Head of Licensing and retail, Simon Lilley commented on the appointments, “Both companies are fantastic examples of how smaller companies can be part of London 2012. The London 2012 merchandise programme is a key channel through which the general public will engage with and participate in the Games, as well as providing revenue to enable the successful staging of the Games.”

The vast majority of LOCOG’s procurement will go through Compete For, which is the online service for matching potential suppliers with Games-related business opportunities. Launched at the beginning of 2008, CompeteFor is an open and transparent procurement process that gives businesses access to all relevant opportunities between now and 2012. Companies interested in Games-related contracts can register on the site to receive alerts and updates regarding potential opportunities. See www.london2012.com/business for further details.

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As it heads towards its £2bn budget for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games, LOCOG has six domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are now six domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are eleven domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, Crystal CG, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Holiday Inn, McCann Worldgroup, The Nielsen Company, Populous, Ticketmaster and Trident.

The Worldwide Olympic Partners signed up for London 2012 are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.