On 7 July 2026, Matthew Lowe, Global Sales Director at thebigword, attended the Source Surrey Buyer-Supplier Exchange at Login Lounge, Camberley, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses, charities and communities across Surrey and Sussex.
The event brought together buyers, suppliers and procurement professionals from across the region and provided participants with the opportunity to:
- Participate in expert-led roundtable discussions.
- Book speed networking sessions with buyers and decision-makers.
- Discover new contract opportunities.
- Build and expand procurement and professional networks.
For thebigword, attendance formed part of a wider social value programme focused on strengthening local supply chains, supporting SMEs and creating sustainable economic and community benefits in the areas where the company delivers services.
Supporting Local Businesses
As a supplier to healthcare organisations across Surrey and Sussex, thebigword recognises the importance of helping local businesses access procurement opportunities and develop relationships with larger public sector supply chains.
By engaging directly with regional organisations through events such as Source Surrey, the company seeks to increase awareness of opportunities available to SMEs, encourage supplier diversity and support local economic growth.
Matthew Lowe commented:
“The Source Surrey Buyer-Supplier Exchange provided an excellent opportunity to connect with local businesses, procurement professionals and community organisations. Events like this play an important role in helping SMEs understand how to access procurement opportunities and become part of larger supply chains. Supporting local businesses is a key part of our social value commitments and we are committed to helping create opportunities that benefit the wider Surrey and Sussex economy.”
Social Value Through Community Engagement
In addition to supporting SMEs, thebigword is committed to mentoring local charities and voluntary sector organisations across Surrey and Sussex.
Through its social value programme, the company provides guidance, coaching and professional expertise to community organisations, helping them strengthen governance, improve sustainability, develop funding strategies and enhance their ability to create positive outcomes for local residents.
This skills-based support draws upon thebigword’s experience in business development, procurement, bid management, operations and organisational growth, allowing local charities to benefit from expertise that may otherwise be inaccessible.
Delivering Social Value for Local NHS Communities
Participation in Source Surrey supports thebigword’s wider social value commitments delivered alongside local healthcare organisations, including:
- NHS Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB), which now covers the former Surrey Heartlands and Sussex geographies. [surreysuss…icb.nhs.uk], [ashfordstp…ers.nhs.uk]
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP). [sabp.nhs.uk], [nhs.uk]
By engaging with local businesses, mentoring charities and promoting inclusive procurement opportunities, thebigword aims to ensure that the benefits of public sector investment extend beyond contract delivery and create meaningful, lasting value for local communities.
Social Value in Action
Through attendance at the Source Surrey Buyer-Supplier Exchange, thebigword is demonstrating its commitment to:
- Supporting local SME growth and development.
- Increasing supplier diversity within public sector supply chains.
- Building stronger relationships with community organisations.
- Mentoring local charities and voluntary groups.
- Sharing business expertise to support community resilience.
- Promoting inclusive and accessible procurement opportunities.
- Contributing to economic growth across Surrey and Sussex.
- Creating long-term social value that benefits local residents and communities.
About thebigword
thebigword is one of the world’s leading language services providers, delivering interpreting, translation and multilingual communication solutions to public and private sector organisations globally. Through its social value programme, the company is committed to supporting local economies, strengthening communities and creating positive outcomes wherever it operates.
