Five Major Buyers, One Big Opportunity for Your Business in 2026

Procurement contracts are huge drivers of growth in County Durham, yet many businesses tell us the same thing: the opportunities seem distant, complex, or difficult to access. The Meet the Buyer section at the Durham Business Growth Summit 2026 aims to change exactly that. 

By bringing County Durham Pound buyers and ambitious suppliers together in one room, we’re creating space for genuine conversations, clear insights and direct introductions that can lead to long-term partnerships and new business opportunities. 

What is Meet the Buyer? 

Meet the Buyer connects suppliers directly with procurement teams from key organisations. It’s a chance to understand upcoming projects, hear about future pipelines, and discover where your products, services or expertise can add value. 

Most importantly, it gives you the one thing online procurement pages rarely offer: a relationship. 

We are pleased to confirm that five County Durham Pound partners are attending meet the buyers at the Durham Business Growth Summit 2026: 

Karbon Homes: 

With more than 30,000 homes across the region, Karbon Homes delivers major development, construction, retrofit and community investment programmes. Their work creates regular demand across construction, trades, professional services, sustainability and infrastructure. 

Believe Housing:

Believe Housing continues to invest in repairs, regeneration, new-build projects and community programmes. Their commitment to local wellbeing and social impact means there are wide-ranging opportunities across housing and community support services. 

Northumbrian Water:

Northumbrian Water manages one of the UK’s largest water networks, investing heavily in infrastructure, environmental improvement and digital innovation. Their supply chain spans engineering, technology, capital works and specialist technical services. 

Durham University:

As a world-leading institution with a significant regional footprint, Durham University continuously invests in estate development, research, digital innovation and specialist services. Opportunities range from construction to consultancy and beyond. 

Durham County Council: 

One of the region’s largest commissioners, Durham County Council delivers an enormous range of public services and projects every year. Their procurement opens the door to supply-chain opportunities across housing, highways, education, sustainability and social care. 

What is the County Durham Pound? 

The County Durham Pound is a collaborative initiative that brings organisations together to maximise social, economic and environmental value throughout the region. This means making thoughtful procurement decisions, choosing suppliers who share these values, operating as responsible employers, and ensuring grant funding delivers real impact. 

The ambition is clear: to create a fairer, more sustainable future for County Durham. By working collectively, we can transform the way we do business for the benefit of everyone. Since its inception, the County Durham Pound has generated over £1 billion in social value and earned multiple awards — a powerful example of what collaboration can achieve. 

Why This Matters for County Durham Businesses 

Collectively, these organisations spend millions of pounds every year on services, infrastructure and specialist expertise. For local suppliers and SMEs, this represents a powerful route into public-sector contracts and partnership opportunities that genuinely support business growth. 

Meet the Buyer gives you the chance to: 

• connect directly with procurement teams 

• discover upcoming opportunities early 

• build trusted relationships 

• explore collaboration and supply-chain routes 

• raise visibility for your business 

It’s not just networking. It’s access. 

What This Means for You 

Whether you’re ready to bid now or just beginning to explore public-sector work, Meet the Buyer offers a clear, practical way to understand future opportunities and start conversations that matter. 

For businesses across County Durham and the wider North East, this is a fantastic moment to learn, connect and explore new pathways for growth in 2026 and beyond. 

Registration is now open — click on the link below and secure your place now.

Book now