WELCOME TO DEFENCE CONTRACTS EXPERTS LTD

Commercial and Procurement Consultancy and Training for today's business

EXPERTISE AND SERVICES

Hello. I'm Sharon Croome. I am a Commercial Contracts Consultant with 30 years of experience. I run Defence Contracts Experts Ltd, offering a number of professional business management services.

I specialise in Contracts & Commercial Management, Strategic Procurement, Supply Chain strategy and Supplier Relationship Management, principally within the UK Defence Industry. I also support other public sector organisations and SMEs.

STRATEGIC PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT & COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY

I assist my clients with their own commercial and procurement transformation activities, including improving their procurement strategies, collaborating better with their supply chain and considering challenging acquisition options.

Get in touch to learn more about how this service can help you.

BESPOKE COMMERCIAL AND PROCUREMENT FOCUSED TRAINING

With years of experience, Defence Contracts Experts Ltd are capable of offering bespoke training programmes covering topics such as supply chain, procurement, contract and commercial management and supplier relationship management, in a completely blended approach, offering you both face-to-face and virtual environment training.

I can offer anything from a quick 1/2 day introductory session, through to week-long courses, fully tailored to your requirements.

Get in touch to find out more about how I can help you and your business.

Imagine you are trying to sell to the public sector, or any large, perceivably unobtainable customer. You have attended webinars on how to get access to public sector tenders, you have investigated and asked around about these large companies. You might be a large company trying to access niche SMEs.

Whatever it is you are looking to do if you're unsure how to engage and contract with a customer, or you need some help in understanding your own supply chain and how to manage your suppliers, I'm here to help.

Because I have extensive experience in the UK defence industry and government procurement delivering long-term, large value, complex integrated procurement/support programmes. I, therefore, combine my skills and insights to transform commercial and procurement strategies to be more successful for the modern age. I'm proud to help improve how my clients' structure and manage their Commercial and Procurement functions within their business.

Get in Touch

COMING SOON!

IN DEVELOPMENT - a 10-15 minute webinar short of how to do business with the public sector

Find out More

VALUED PARTNERS

Current & Past

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY

Defence Contracts Experts Ltd has worked with this client since 2018 - and I'm very happy to be one of their Associate Tutors delivering the CIPS qualifications, Apprenticeships and Corporate Award programmes in the public sector and 'not-for-profit' sector.

THALES

This client approached me for consultation on how to transition from an internally looking business for its resource and expertise to a more outwardly, supply chain focused business. Our collaboration has been truly remarkable, and we’re thrilled to see this business starting to embrace the specialist expertise available to it in the external supply chain.

DPSS CONSULTANTS

After many years in their industry, I approached this client initially to offer an extra pair of hands as an Associate Trainer. From our first conversations to now, our partnership has resulted in growth in business, ventured into publication ("Practical Supplier Selection & Relationship Management") and is also exploring the world of virtual delivery.

BMT DEFENCE & SECURITY LTD

This client approached me for consultation assistance in 2016, helping the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) agency of the UK MoD understand the procurement of 'open systems architecture' equipments and systems. This project is ongoing and has involved collaboration within the UK defence industry as well as within the Armed Forces, the UK MoD and its trading agencies.

EXPLOSIVE LEARNING SOLUTIONS LTD

Defence Contracts Experts Ltd has worked with this client from the very beginning of the UK MoD Commercial Professionalisation Programme - and I've been proud to be have been one of their Associate Trainers throughout their journey, delivering 3-day bespoke training courses in public sector sourcing and contract management. Together, we have achieved outstanding results, and it has been a pleasure to watch their business grow.

BAE SYSTEMS

After many years in their industry, this client asked me to create several bespoke training courses for them, covering UK MoD and public sector procurement processes, to educate and professionalise their staff.

CV

Experience & Expertise

June 2015 - Present

DIRECTOR

Independent freelance contractor, senior-level Commercial/Contracts/Procurement specialist providing high-quality interim commercial and contract management consultancy and training

January 2012 - May 2015

HEAD OF COMMERCIAL (QINETIQ)

Initially managing a commercial contracts and procurement team of fifteen (15) staff; delivering over £100m worth of business annually into UK and overseas government customers;

Negotiated a number of high profile, high value overseas contracts in expanding areas of the business and territories for QinetiQ, including Brunei (~£1M), Qatar (~£7M) and Turkey (~£5M). Heavily involved in the commercial aspects of business development in other territories such as Canada, Malaysia and Chile

October 2009 - December 2011

COMMERCIAL MANAGER (ELS GLOBAL TRACKING LTD)

Head of commercial for the EMS Global Tracking division of EMS Technologies Inc, responsible for the Tewkesbury (UK), Atlanta (USA), Ottawa (Canada) and Adelaide (Australia) offices.

November 2008 - September 2009

COMMERCIAL MANAGER (LOCKHEED MARTIN IS&GS)

Key commercial member during the initial phases of the implementation of ICT /IT crypto networks. Ensured Supply Chain compliance and consistency, assisting the Sub-Contract Manager during contract negotiations, with regard to UK public procurement OGC contractual policy.

November 2006 - November 2008

COMMERCIAL MANAGER (BAE SYSTEMS PLC)

Key commercial member in the design, development and drafting of the In Service Support Contract (valued at approx £350M for 7 years) involving major sub-contractors and key industrial partners. Ensured Supply Chain compliance and consistency with regard to establishing complete ‘back-to-back’ terms and conditions of Contract, assisting the Sub-Contract Manager during contract negotiations, with regard to MoD contractual policy.

November 2004 - November 2006

COMMERCIAL MANAGER (ROLLS-ROYCE PLC)

Undertook the successful bid/proposal submission, contract design, drafting, negotiation and placement of two major multi-year availability support Contracts (MRMS®) for the EJ200 Typhoon Engine (£7m) and Spey Engine (£5m).

October 1998 - November 2004

COMMERCIAL MANAGER (WESTLAND HELICOPTERS LTD)

Managed the £6.5Bn manufacturing contract, plus enhancements valued between £5m-£25m; Improved the auditable method of calculating costs for ground and flight-testing activity.

March 1994 - October 1998

PROCUREMENT OFFICER (UK MOD)

Achieved a 75% improvement in the turn-around time for Small Value Orders by streamlining procedures and simplifying paperwork and a 45% reduction in the supplier base, by introducing enabling (call-off) contracts with frequently used suppliers.

Qualifications:

International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) – Supplier Relationship Management Practitioner (SRMP)
Fellowship of Chartered Management Institute (FCMI)
Institute for Training and Organisational Learning (ITOL) – Certificate in Learning & Development
International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) – Commercial & Contracts Management Expert (CCME)
Fellowship of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (FCIPS)
Association of Project Management (APM) Professional Qualification
NVQ Level 4 in Management

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