Some of you are aware that I have been involved in a tender process to secure a contract to be an approved supplier of photography to English Partnerships. English Partnerships are a body appointed by the government to manage urban regeneration of brownfield sites.

In summer of 2006 “EP” advertised for applicants to form a creative & marketing services panel of approved suppliers. The application process was lengthy and complex and I had to submit several very large documents of up to 5000 words, and provide samples of work. On 2nd October 2007 I attended an interview at English Partnerships head office in London to present to a panel in the final stage of the tender process.

On Monday 15th October I received a telephone call confirming that we have been awarded the contract. It is fair to say I was elated. “We have a 3 year contract with the option to extend for a further 2 years, to fulfil photographic requirements in the northwest for English Partnerships projects. It is as yet an undetermined quantity of work, but represents a fabulous opportunity”.

It had taken over a year, and many hours of hard work to get to this stage. The competition, nationally, was stiff against 70 other photographic companies and only 10 places up for grabs. 15 were interviewed, 10 were selected, and according to “EP” my company and I are now among the top ten best photographic companies in the country – wow!