Former JD Sports CEO, Peter Cowgill (pic, right), has backed a new cloud-based B2B procurement and supply-chain platform launched by entrepreneur Andrew McNair (left), who previously ran an independent packaging supply business, where he saw how many procurement platforms were designed for large enterprises rather than growing companies.
McNair has launched Buynex to help small and mid-sized businesses manage procurement without the cost and complexity of traditional systems.
The company has secured backing from Cowgill, former CEO and executive chairman of JD Sports, who has invested in Buynex as part of a wider portfolio of founder-led businesses.
McNair said: “The problem wasn’t a lack of ambition. It was systems that were expensive, slow to roll out and difficult to use. That combination shuts a lot of good businesses out of modern procurement.”
Within his own business, McNair simplified operations and adopted cloud-based tools that required minimal training and reduced reliance on multiple systems. The changes resulted in lower overheads, faster decision-making, and a return to profitability.
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Buynex was developed directly from that experience. The platform brings buyers, suppliers, and logistics partners together in one place, giving businesses clearer oversight of purchasing, sales, and delivery. It is designed to deliver the same ease of use offered by modern consumer platforms.
“Buying and selling at scale has become unnecessarily complicated,” McNair added. “Buynex is about giving smaller companies a practical way to manage procurement, without the barriers that have become normal in the sector. It unlocks access to suppliers, buyers, and logistics networks they would typically struggle to reach, and helps all parties operate faster, more efficiently, and with far greater visibility.”
Buynex is a smart, innovative, cloud-based B2B platform that connects buyers, suppliers, and logistics partners in one system, covering everything from onboarding to warehousing, finance, and delivery. It has been built for speed, trust, ease of use and data-driven decision-making.
Designed with small and mid-sized businesses in mind, Buynex can be adopted quickly without heavy licence costs, long onboarding, or specialist support. The platform focuses on usability and transparency, helping businesses make faster, more informed decisions.
McNair developed the platform after running his own independent packaging supply business and experiencing the limitations of traditional procurement systems first-hand.
Buynex is now launching via a phased rollout, starting with supplier onboarding to build a robust marketplace over a four-six-week period, before opening the platform to buyers. This approach ensures users benefit from strong product availability and a seamless experience from day one.
