Team McAlpine project director Tony Aikenhead was speaking as the Olympic Development Authority and London Organising Committee launched the London 2012 Business Network; a website that aims to put suppliers in touch with potential clients.

The ODA describes the website as a “dating agency” for contractors and their suppliers. It includes a “Competefor” service, which will match suppliers to opportunities supplying the Olympic Games.

Robert McAlpine will post 30% of work on the Olympic Stadium up for new contractors, Aikenhead said; 70% of work will go to companies it has worked for on previous projects.

He said: “Ninety subcontractors’ packages will be posted, ranging from site office cleaning services to multi-million pound building services. The breadth is quite significant.”

Team McAlpine is scheduled to go onsite in April and May this year. Aikenhead said McAlpine is working closely with designers to meet the project’s tight deadlines.

He said: “In order to deal with a fast track programme, we need close relationships with our design team. We have worked together before on the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal. To deliver on time and to budget we need a supply chain that will create those same close relationships.”

However, Aikenhead said, McAlpine is not closed to new subcontractors. He said: “Whilst we need that supply chain, we need to strive to work with new companies to discover new ideas in the market place and secure value for money for our clients.”