London Gatwick has partnered with a Crawley-based company, mnAi, to improve understanding of opportunities within local and regional supply chains.
The new AI tool from mnAi is intended to enable London Gatwick to identify locally based businesses from which it can request proposals and quotes for a range of key projects, as well as the supply of goods and services. Stakeholders, including businesses across the region, have until October 29 to register and provide feedback to the Planning Inspectorate on London Gatwick’s Northern Runway plans.
The new partnership with mnAi – which also has a base in Edinburgh – is in line with London Gatwick’s procurement policy, which states that all procurement-led requests for proposals and quotes (RFPs) will include a minimum of one local or regional supplier, where suitable businesses exist.
Local/regional is defined as one of the 12 postcodes set out in the airport’s second Decade of Change plan – its sustainability policy that looks ahead to 2030 and sets out Gatwick’s goals on the transition to net zero, as well as being a partner and advocate for a thriving and resilient economy.
Richard Lennard, economic partnerships manager at London Gatwick, said, “As we continue our second Decade of Change, we must increase our understanding of the impact our procurement decisions have on the local economy. I am pleased to be working with mnAi to gain greater insight into our local, regional and UK supply chain. This increased transparency will allow Gatwick to seek out and actively include suitable businesses in our RFPs for new opportunities.”
John Cushing, CEO and founder of mnAi, commented, “Our partnership with London Gatwick is an alliance that marries innovation with scale. It signifies a collaborative step forward for both mnAi and Gatwick and is a milestone for the local economy. Our shared vision encompasses far more than just local progress; this is a blueprint for what can be achieved nationally.”
Ricky Cowan, managing director at mnAi, added, “This collaboration promises immense potential in the aviation sector. The work London Gatwick is doing by leveraging mnAi’s extensive data sets is simply the tip of the iceberg. Our data spans a remarkable range, both in depth and breadth, providing unparalleled insights and actionable intelligence. Given the scale at which we can operate, we’re confident this alliance will unlock unprecedented opportunities not just for Gatwick but for the industry as a whole.”
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