NORTH Hampshire firms have the chance to pitch for a share of contracts worth millions of pounds at a special match-making day.

The Meet the Buyer event is being organised by Hampshire Chamber, and will take place at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton on Thursday March 27, with funding from a partnership of local authorities.

More than 30 major public and private sector buyers of business services will meet local suppliers face to face.

Denise Barlow, head of projects at Hampshire Chamber, said: “Meet the Buyer gives businesses an unrivalled opportunity to cut though the supply chain and meet major purchasers face to face all in one place on the same day.”

A similar event staged by Hampshire Chamber at the same venue last year generated deals worth an estimated £7 million – up by £750,000 from the previous year’s figure.

Among the buyers will be Capita, Amey, Fasset, Kier, Scottish & Southern Energy, First Wessex, Geoffrey Osborne and Mansell Construction.

Mrs Barlow added: “Major buyers frequently find it too time consuming to sort through the myriad of local suppliers to find those who might be able to offer them a better deal.

“For their part, smaller businesses who often have innovative products and services can find it difficult to make effective approaches to larger buyers.

“Meet the Buyer is specifically designed to solve that mismatch.”

Suppliers who register in advance can attend a free public sector procurement workshop sales training breakfast.

Mrs Barlow said the extra events are intended to help them make the most of the Meet the Buyer experience.

To find out more visit hampshirechamber.co.uk.