Your Procurement Partner
Commercial and Procurement Consultancy and Training for today's 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.
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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.
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I have extensive experience in the UK defence industry and government procurement delivering long-term, large value, complex integrated procurement/support programmes. I 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.
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Connect with me on LinkedIn using the button at the top of this website, and find how my services can benefit your company.
Your Procurement Partner
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.
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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.
How can I help?
Strategic Procurement and Contract & Commercial Management
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.
I can help your company gain meaningful insight into your Commercial function and the contracts you manage so that you can get achieve your goals and objectives, and know how you’re going to measure them
I can assist with :
Governance
Commercial and Procurement strategies
Contract drafting and negotiation
Leadership & Management
Stakeholder Management
Get in touch to learn more about how this service can help you.
Expertise and Services
Bespoke Commercial and Procurement Focused Training
I can help your company understand procurement and contract management so that you can get business with bigger customers or get better value from your suppliers, even if you don’t think you can!
I can work with you to develop bespoke training suitable for your immediate and future needs.
I can help your organisation and individuals with professional procurement and commercial management training.
I can provide both face-to-face and virtual training, as required
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I can offer anything from a quick 1/2 day introductory session, through to week-long courses, fully tailored to your requirements. I also have online courses available too - see below for details on how to book
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Get in touch to find out more about how I can help you and your business.
How does Public Sector Contracting work?
I have an online course for that!
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I have developed some online courses associated with public sector procurement and supplier relationship management.
Please click below to gain access to these including my short taster session.
More courses on other procurement and commercial management will be coming in the next few months too!
Testimonials Do the Talking
I just wanted to let you know how impressed and satisfied I was with the CIPS training my cohort received last week. This was for Level 4 Module 4 (Sourcing Essentials in Procurement & Supply) and was instructed by Sharon.
This training was succinct and to-the-point, and, unlike other module training sessions where I have left feeling a little lost, I felt like I understood the question completely. Sharon made sure we understood where each part of the training fit into the assignment question. Sharon, made it clear what was part of the curriculum and was engaging throughout. I really could not fault her and am really happy with the training we received.
MoD CIPS Level 4 student
Sharon was good and engaging all throughout. I enjoyed the lessons and was glad to have joined both sessions. Her knowledge and experience came through the virtual class, she was great and the online session didn’t feel any different to face to face classroom setting.
Sharon was very knowledgeable and checked regularly with us that we understood the content of each module.
CIPS Level 4 Student
Sharon is a great advocate for all things Commercial and Procurement, a brilliant trainer with a fantastic repertoire of real experience to call upon. Very calm, down to earth and extremely knowledgeable. Always willing to listen and impart good advice.
An ex-colleague
I consider myself extremely fortunate to work alongside Sharon as a trainer in contract management for the MoD. Her extensive experience in the contract management world spans both the MoD and the commercial world and she brings all that to the table in her training. She is knowledgable and teaches in a way that is fun and which brings out the best in her students. They all respond positively and by the end of every course, they have gained and given to their fellow students. She is a pleasure to work with and I can’t recommend her highly enough as a trainer, consultant or coach.
Training colleague
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.