- New ‘Small Business Crown Representative’ will make
sure the government gets the best value and small
businesses have improved access to government contracts
- Martin Traynor OBE is an experienced business leader
and deputy chairman of the University Hospitals of
Leicester NHS Trust
- Martin also helped to set up visitor centre following
discovery of King Richard III’s remains
An experienced business leader has been given the task of
boosting the relationship between the government and small
businesses.
Martin Traynor OBE is the deputy chairman of the University
Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, runs his own training and
consultancy business and is the former Group Chief
Executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.
He has now been made the government’s new Small Business
Crown Representative – a role which will see him make sure
the government gets the best value from small business and
small businesses have the best possible opportunity to work
with the government.
Martin Traynor said:
I’m delighted to take on the role of Small Business Crown
Representative and to build on the work of my
predecessor, Emma Jones.
The government buys a wide range of goods and services
from businesses right across the country.
This represents a huge opportunity for many of the UK’s
small businesses and I will work with colleagues from
across the government to tackle any barriers to our
procurement processes.
As well as his extensive business background, Mr Traynor is
also the non-executive chairman of the King Richard III
Visitor Centre Trust, which set up a visitor attraction
following the discovery of the former King’s remains
underneath a car park in Leicester.
He is also a non-executive chairman of The Forest
Experience Ltd and helped raise the £15 million needed to
build a new visitor centre in the National Forest.
The Minister for Implementation, , said:
I’m delighted that Martin has taken on this very
important role.
Small businesses are the backbone of the UK’s economy.
That is why we are committed to levelling the playing
field so they can win their fair share of government
contracts, and I know Martin is looking forward to
working with them.
As the Small Business Crown Representative, Mr Traynor will
lead on the overall relationship between the government and
small businesses, advise ministers on the government’s
engagement with them, and identify any barriers they face
when working with the government.
Former SME Crown Representative, Emma Jones, stepped down
from the role at the end of last year, following two years
in the post.
