We value the relationships we have with all our suppliers and the vital role they play in helping us to deliver equipment and services to our customers. Our businesses in the UK work with over 3000 SMEs in our tier 1 supply chain, with this number growing greatly within the lower tiers. We therefore recognise that SMEs are a key part of keeping our supply chain innovative, healthy, agile and vibrant.
At BAE Systems, within our small and diverse business activity we have identified two social value workstreams:
Our ambition is to create and facilitate ecosystems.
Our ambition is to build and sustain capabilities.
Introduction
At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We work with customers and local partners to develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure. We recognise that our suppliers and an effective, efficient and resilient supply chain are essential to enable us to deliver for our customers and end-users.
We aim, where relevant, to encourage ideas, innovation and technology, provide opportunities to access new business, share good practices and develop partnerships to support economic prosperity and development. How we conduct business is fundamental to the success of our Company and we mandate a principles-based approach to our business activity.
BAE Systems is an awardee of the UK Fair Payment Code and we are committed to paying our suppliers promptly and in accordance with agreed terms.
The information below provides an overview of our ongoing UK SME aspirations, key actions and points of contact related to engaging with and supporting SMEs. Further information related to working with BAE Systems Plc, including a company overview, our areas of interest, being a responsible supplier, fitness for business and registering interest in working with us can be found in the link above.
BAE Systems Plc-UK SME Champions
Each Prime contractor with a representation into the Defence Supplier Forum will have designated SME Champion and point of contact. Details of the BAE Systems representatives are below. The role of the SME Champion is to make it easier for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to enter the Defence supply chain, by removing barriers and improving access to procurement opportunities, and enabling innovative ideas to be heard and considered. The SME Champion occupies a position within their business which enables them to influence key stakeholders and co-ordinate all functions within the company to help deliver on the commitments of the SME Champions role.
Amanda Wood
Amanda Wood is the Social Sustainability Director, Supply Chain for BAE Systems Plc., responsible for overseeing and accelerating efforts to integrate BAE Systems Sustainability ambitions into the Global Supply Chain. Amanda has extensive experience as a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Australian Navy and as a Senior Leader in the corporate environment. She has a special interest in Sustainability, which combines her desire for outstanding business performance with true positive impact.
In her Naval career, Amanda was responsible for ensuring Naval Personnel and the Fleet received the highest level of multi-disciplinary Personnel and Supply Chain support, both at sea in various Warships and ashore in Naval bases. In her corporate career, Amanda has a wide range of business experience, specialising in Supply Chain Management and Sustainability Excellence across the Pharmaceutical, Utilities and Defence industries.
Amanda loves working with people and is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership & Management, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. It is personally important to Amanda that we continue to seek ways to better engage with the SME community. She believes that we all have a collective responsibility to work together to support the building of a robust and resilient UK Supply Chain. She aims to deliver on that responsibility through her Chairship of both the JOSCAR Governance Group and the Defence Supplier Forum (DSF) SME Champions Working Group.
Neil Jackson
Neil Jackson is a Senior Sustainable Procurement Manager for BAE Systems Plc. He is responsible for overseeing the Social Value aspects of Sustainability, including the development of the BAE Systems UK SME Action Plan. Neil has worked for BAE Systems for over 25 years and has extensive experience in Supply Chain and Business Management across both the Air and the Maritime Sectors. He has led the Supply Chain Sustainability activities within one of the largest Business Units and has a passion for delivering real business performance in this vital field.
Neil really enjoys working with people and has a natural interest in learning and development. This stems from his previous Commissioned Officer roles as both a Flying and a Small Arms Instructor within the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch. He continues his affiliation with the Air Cadet Organisation through his current role as Chair of a local Air Cadet Squadron.
Neil has a desire to build upon the BAE Systems UK SME action Plan through developing connections and improving ways in which SMEs can connect with relevant areas of the business. He is also committed to sharing our Sustainability journey through connecting with great Social Value opportunities such as the UK Armed Forces Covenant.
In Support of this, Neil currently Chairs the JOSCAR ESG Working Group and co-Chairs the ADS Prime and SME Community (PaSMEC).
BAE Systems UK SME Framework
Here at BAE Systems Plc, we are keen to continue to build our networks with SMEs, strengthen existing relationships and build new and novel ones where appropriate. We also remain committed to supporting the UK Ministry of Defence SME Action Plan through the establishment of our own UK SME framework with 5 key commitments. These are:
We behave as a responsible Customer
Activities include on-time payment, SME spend measurement, championing innovation, community, consistency and SME advocacy.
We hold, and support, the achievement of high ethical and social standards
Activities include Supplier Code of Conduct (formerly Supplier Principles – Guidance for Responsible Business engagement, whistleblowing, social value activity engagement, supplier diversity.
We present a clear understanding of our requirements and support others in aspiring to achieve them
Activities include better visibility of BAE areas of interest, clarity on standards and requirements, collaboration and practice sharing, SME development support.
We make it as simple as possible to do business with us
Activities include contractual flowdown, supplier information provision and process consistency.
We are an interested and engaging Customer
Activities include building upon opportunities for supplier engagement, working with third parties to build connections and following through on our conversations.
Contact the team
Please use this contact link for submitting general enquiries only. All enquiries related specifically to working with BAE Systems should be directed via the Expression of Interest link on the Areas of interest page