As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting SME growth, strengthening supply chains and delivering meaningful social value across Westminster, Westminster Business Council is delighted to highlight the latest instalment of the WCC Supplier Readiness Programme: How to Be Compliant in Construction – Information Session, taking place on Monday 8 December 2025 at Westminster City Hall.
Compliance in construction is one of the biggest challenges facing SMEs looking to work with major contractors and large development projects. Navigating safety standards, documentation requirements, environmental commitments and procurement processes can be overwhelming — and for many businesses, unclear expectations become a barrier to winning work.
This information session is designed to remove those barriers.
Bringing Together Contractors Committed to Social Value
This in-person morning event brings together two leading contractors, Wates Residential and Lovell, who are generously sharing their expertise as part of their Social Value commitment to empowering SMEs.
Both organisations are deeply involved in major development and regeneration projects across the UK, and both recognise the importance of a strong, diverse and well-supported local supply chain.
Their participation ensures that attendees will gain first-hand, practical insights from the very people who oversee procurement, compliance and supplier onboarding.
What SMEs Can Expect
The session will give SMEs the clarity, confidence and guidance they need to successfully enter or grow within the construction supply chain. Attendees will learn:
✔ What compliance really means on the ground
From safety and environmental obligations to reporting, onboarding and documentation.
✔ What large contractors expect from their suppliers
Hear directly from the managers who assess SME readiness and oversee the vendor registration process.
✔ How to navigate preferred supplier lists
Lovell will outline what SMEs should expect when joining their supplier framework, as well as wider expectations across the construction industry.
✔ Practical strategies to strengthen your business
Wates Residential will share advice on building sustainable internal practices that support long-term growth and compliance.
✔ Opportunities to ask questions and connect with experts
This is a chance to get clarity from the source and build meaningful connections.
Expert Speakers
Martin Glover
Safety, Health & Environment Manager, Wates Residential
Martin will share practical compliance insights and explain how SMEs can build the capabilities needed to grow and scale within the construction supply chain. Wates Residential’s Westminster Social Value team will also discuss how they are co-creating lasting impact in the borough.
Matthew Wickham
Managing Surveyor, Lovell
Matthew will give a clear, step-by-step overview of the vendor registration process — what it involves, what documentation is required, and how SMEs can position themselves to succeed.
Agenda
- 9:45 – 10:00 Registration & Refreshments
- 10:00 – 10:15 Welcome from Westminster City Council
- 10:15 – 11:15 Wates Session
- 11:15 – 11:30 Break
- 11:30 – 12:30 Lovell Session
- 12:30 Close and Networking
📍 Venue: Lord Mayor’s Parlour, Westminster City Hall
📅 Date: Monday 8 December 2025
⏰ Time: 10am – 1pm
At WBC, we believe in connecting the right people at the right time to create tangible value for businesses and communities alike. Supporting SMEs to access procurement opportunities is a core part of our mission, and our collaboration with Westminster City Council ensures that local businesses are equipped with the tools, confidence and connections they need to thrive.
By bringing buyers, experts and SMEs together in the same room, this session offers exactly what our network values most: clarity, opportunity and direct access to decision-makers.
Register Your Place
Attendance is free, but places are limited.
👉 Register now: Information session for SMEs – How to Be Compliant in Construction
We look forward to seeing you at this event which promises insight, practical support and new opportunities for Westminster’s construction community.
