A procurement scheme has helped small and medium-sized businesses secure around £19 million worth of contracts at the Sellafield site in West Cumbria.
The scheme, known as Matchmaker, was created by Solomons Europe, a chartered quantity surveying practice headquartered in Newton-le-Willows. It is designed to help regional SMEs access major, highly regulated infrastructure frameworks that can often be difficult for smaller firms to enter.
Now in its fifth year, the scheme has become part of how Sellafield works with its supply chain through its £7 billion Programme and Project Partners framework, also known as PPP.
What the Matchmaker Scheme Has Achieved
The Matchmaker scheme has so far:
- Engaged more than 100 SMEs
- Helped facilitate 40 joint Heads of Terms
- Supported 16 framework awards
- Helped SMEs secure around £19 million in contracts
Cumbrian businesses that have secured work through the initiative include RAF Engineering, Delkia and West Coast Thermal.
Helping Local Firms Access Major Projects
Large infrastructure and nuclear decommissioning projects can be difficult for smaller businesses to access.
They often involve strict procurement rules, complex frameworks and demanding delivery standards. For SMEs, this can create barriers even when they have the skills, experience and local knowledge needed for the work.
Matchmaker aims to reduce those barriers by connecting SMEs with Tier 1 and Tier 2 partners. It also helps larger contractors better understand what local and regional suppliers can offer.
The scheme focuses on relationships, clarity and confidence, helping SMEs navigate procurement processes while giving major contractors greater insight into local supply chain capability.
Part of Sellafield’s Long-Term Programme
The work is linked to Sellafield’s Programme and Project Partners framework.
The PPP framework is a long-term programme supporting decommissioning work at the Sellafield site in Cumbria. NEC describes it as a £7 billion, 20-year programme for works and services at Europe’s largest nuclear site.
The framework involves major delivery partners and supply chains working on complex nuclear clean-up and infrastructure projects.
For local SMEs, gaining access to this kind of programme can provide long-term opportunities, not just one-off contracts.
Why This Matters for Cumbria
The scheme is significant because Sellafield is one of the biggest economic drivers in West Cumbria.
When local and regional SMEs win work through major frameworks, more of the value can stay in the area. This can support local jobs, apprenticeships, skills development and future business growth.
Dominic Doig, managing director of Solomons Europe, said the scheme began with the idea of highlighting the strength and quality of SMEs in Cumbria and the wider North West.
He said these businesses create local jobs, invest in skills, take on apprentices and deliver social value that stays in the region.
Supporting a Stronger Supply Chain
The Matchmaker scheme is also about building a more resilient supply chain.
Major projects depend on a wide range of suppliers, from large contractors to specialist smaller firms. By helping SMEs become part of that system, Sellafield and its partners can draw on more local expertise.
For SMEs, the scheme can also help build confidence and experience in working on major regulated projects. That experience may open further opportunities across nuclear, clean energy, highways, defence and other infrastructure sectors.
Wider Potential Beyond Sellafield
The model is being seen as something that could be used more widely across major UK infrastructure programmes.
Supporters of the approach say it could help smaller regional firms access work that might otherwise go to larger national suppliers. It could also help ensure that public and private investment creates a lasting local legacy.
For Cumbria, the immediate impact is already clear: more than 100 SMEs engaged, 16 framework awards supported, and around £19 million in work secured through the scheme.
