Culture Secretary Maria Miller and BOA Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe announced that the companies which helped build the Park, venues and provided goods and services for the Games will be able to actively promote their work on the London 2012 Games. The move is designed to provide a significant boost to the country's economy by helping firms land contracts and deals on the back of their involvement with the London 2012 Games.
The new deal will benefit tens of thousands of British companies which were involved in the staging, construction and infrastructure of London 2012. Amongst others, these will include firms who built or designed the stadiums and venues, those responsible for clearing and preparing the Olympic Park and maintaining it in top condition during Games-time, as well as those with a role at venues outside London.
The Government has committed £2m to the British Olympic Association to allow them to establish and operate the new 'supplier recognition scheme'. Companies will be able to apply to the BOA for a free licence from 27 January. On receipt of the free licence they will be able to promote their work at trade shows both in the UK and internationally, apply for industry awards for their London 2012 work and use their involvement in direct pitches and tender documentation when competing for international contracts. Additionally, the licence will give businesses exclusive access to the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) library of more than 4,000 photographs from the project, enabling them to market their involvement with some of the London Games' 'stardust'.
This agreement marks the first time that, following an Olympic and Paralympic Games, companies that supplied goods and services will have the opportunity to promote their involvement to help develop new business.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Miller said, "I am delighted that those companies that played such a crucial role in making London 2012 an incredible success can now be rightly recognised. By lifting these restrictions we will be able to maximise the economic benefits from the Games. Now we have removed the barrier, companies can capitalise on the role they played at home and abroad by really selling their involvement in one of the biggest and most successful projects this country has ever put on."
British Olympic Association and LOCOG Chair Lord Coe said, "The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games provided Great Britain with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the very best of our what our country has to offer - from our athletes and volunteers, to our history and culture, and of course, the expertise and innovation of British businesses.
"Thousands of British businesses supplied goods and services that were essential to the successful staging of the Games, and I am delighted that many of these companies will now have the opportunity to highlight and officially promote their involvement in the Games. This should be a catalyst in creating new business opportunities and further growth for these companies, and that is an important economic legacy of the Games.
"It is also important to recognise and thank the International Olympic Committee and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for their support of this first-of-its-kind programme."
The relaxation of the rules affecting promotional activity by UK companies was a key recommendation of last summer's report by Sir John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, on how this country could maximise business benefits f
