Informed Solutions is a UK Government Fair Payment Code (FPC) Gold Awardee, consistently demonstrating best payment practices across its supply chain and sub-contractor ecosystem. Launched in December 2024, the Fair Payment Code is managed by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.
The tiered system of Awards recognises best practice and driving improvements in payment performance. Gold Awardees must evidence that they pay 95% or more of invoices within 30 days, alongside committing to abide by the Code’s principles of Clear, Fair and Collaborative treatment of suppliers and sub-contractors.
Headquartered in Manchester, Informed Solutions delivers digital, data and AI solutions that help make the world a smarter, safer, cleaner, and healthier place. Its purpose is to create economic and social value by helping to build a more inclusive, resilient, fair, and safe society through the ethical use of technology and data and investing in digital skills.
The Fair Payment Code demonstrates how government and industry can collaborate to engender more responsible marketplace behaviours that aim to benefit all parties, by helping directly tackle late payments to small and medium sized businesses (SMES).
A healthy cash flow is essential to the survival and growth of businesses, and it is particularly crucial for small, medium, and scaling businesses. Unreasonable delays in receiving payment and unfair extended payment terms severely hinder businesses in meeting financial obligations. These pressures place good, viable SMEs, and the jobs of the people that work for them, at risk. In 2023, 15% of SMEs reported that significant cash flow and late payments were a major challenge to effectively running their own businesses.
Elizabeth Vega OBE, Informed Solutions Group CEO said:
"I am delighted to celebrate the successful launch of the Fair Payment Award scheme. Equally, I’m pleased that Informed Solutions has attained the Gold Award. As a UK mid-market company, we can now evidence our commitment to responsible and ethical business governance, supporting the resilience, competitiveness and growth ambitions of not just our own business, but also the companies that work alongside us, as suppliers and sub-contractor partners.
"Fair, responsible, transparent business practices are the foundations of building a trusted company, strong brand reputation, and a great organisation to work with and for. Collectively, these positive practices flow through to creating a more competitive, resilient, and growth-orientated economy.
"I’m the female founder of Informed Solutions, and have worked alongside Cabinet Office, Crown Commercial Services, and the Department of Business and Trade for some 12 years, advocating for government policy that better supports SME growth, greater marketplace diversity and competition, and economic resilience.
"For these reasons, I am proud that we have attained the Gold Award, tangibly demonstrating that Informed Solutions has strong business governance and is a responsible main contractor, ensuring that our suppliers and sub-contracting partners are treated fairly and transparently by us."
Liz Barclay, Small Business Commissioner said:
"Congratulations to Informed Solutions on their Gold Fair Payment Code Award. Everyone benefits when suppliers are paid quickly and fairly, and they thrive. Embedding a culture of fair payment practices in your business is good for your own bottom line as well as for the economy, communities and wider society."
For more information about the Fair Payment Code please click HERE or contact comms@smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk.
