Launch of The Independent Buying Group
A procurement expert with 25 years’ experience who managed more than £1bn in corporate spend with senior roles at SSE and BAE Systems, has launched a new venture.
Founded by Shona Motherwell, The Independent Buying Group (IBG) was created after Shona saw first-hand how smaller businesses were often paying too much for essential services, struggling with underperforming suppliers and lacking the time or expertise to find better alternatives.
The new venture is designed to give businesses access to the buying expertise and supplier leverage traditionally available only to large organisations.
Shona said that the IBG is already proving its worth, having recently helped a local garage slash its card-payment fees by 66 per cent, turning an £18,000 annual bill into just £6,000. Unlike traditional industry brokers, The IBG takes either a fixed fee or a percentage of savings, rather than an ongoing commission based on spend.
Commenting on the launch of her business, Shona said: “Large businesses have buying power, time and dedicated procurement teams. Smaller businesses often have none of those.
“When I left the corporate world, I started going out and talking to small business owners. I found stressed business owners spending too much money with suppliers and who also had issues with underperforming suppliers. These businesses also didn’t have the time and experience to fix these problems.
“I also heard from suppliers who had issues with customers not paying their bills once projects had been delivered. I saw a clear gap in the market, and I knew I could help.
“The IBG is about removing the stress and giving smaller businesses a stronger supply chain so they can grow with confidence, and giving top-rate suppliers access to better customers.”
The new business operates across three areas. It brings businesses together to go to market collectively on high-spend overheads such as electricity and card payments. This allows smaller companies to benefit from greater collective buying power, resulting not only in better rates but also improved service levels from suppliers. Its first group tender events are launching, for electricity and card payments, with fuel and other services planned to follow in 2027.
IBG also helps businesses review their direct cost of goods, by either negotiating improved terms with existing suppliers or running a tender process to identify alternatives. A new, vetted supplier directory is due to be launched, to give businesses access to trusted suppliers for overhead services.
The directory is being developed region by region, launching in Glasgow initially. It is designed to create a platform that strengthens local business networks, encourages collaboration and helps SMEs access and support one another within their region.
Every supplier joining The IBG directory is assessed through its ‘CALM’ framework, a code of conduct that includes clear communications, accountable delivery, legal standards and moral behaviours. Credit levels, industry certifications and company insurances are also monitored on an ongoing basis.
The aim is to give businesses greater confidence when choosing suppliers, while helping them avoid the time-consuming process of researching and checking providers themselves. Uniquely, buyers also need to complete a short questionnaire, pass a credit check and sign up to the CALM framework code of conduct before gaining access to this trusted source of suppliers.
Businesses can access the vetted supplier directory from £30 a month, while participation in a group tender event costs an annual fixed fee with no commission. The IBG also offers a comprehensive procurement service for businesses requiring a full supply-chain audit or support running their own tender process.
Pictured: Shona Motherwell, founder of The Independent Buying Group
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