G4S has launched its Supplier Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) initiative in the UK, to integrate more diverse suppliers into its supply chain.
Supplier diversity and inclusion
A supplier is considered diverse when 51% or more is owned and operated by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or under-served group. These groups include business owned by people from ethnic minorities, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community, those with disabilities, and those who are neurodivergent.
At G4S we are committed to supporting diverse suppliers. The benefits of a diverse supply chain are clear; our suppliers play a critical role in helping us run a successful business, delivering excellent service to our customers. Greater diversity of suppliers brings a richness of thoughts, ideas and innovation. It’s also critical that our business reflects and supports the societies in which we operate, including often more marginalised, diverse communities.
To achieve this in the UK, G4S is embedding the following practices across our business:
- Measure our use of diverse suppliers - using a sustainability technology platform (Integrity Next) we are now tracking our spend with diverse suppliers, allowing us to measure and set targets for the future
- Identifying and providing opportunities to new diverse suppliers - through our partnerships with MSDUK (see below), inviting more diverse suppliers to bid for work
- Training and awareness - promoting the benefits of using diverse suppliers to our procurement teams and wider business
G4S is committed to making supplier diversity a business priority and before the end of this year it will:
- Host updates for business leaders on the supplier diversity programme
- Deliver training to the procurement team on supplier diversity and partnerships with MSDUK
- Set out its 3-year supplier diversity and inclusion objectives
From 2023, G4S will expand its supplier diversity programme beyond the UK and into other key markets.
G4S has partnered with the following organisations to support the ongoing roll-out and embedding of Supplier Diversity & Inclusion in our business:
MSDUK
In September 2022 G4S agreed a partnership with Minority Supplier Development UK (MSDUK), the UK’s leading non-profit membership organisation driving inclusive procurement.
MSDUK is a leading advocacy organisation that connects ethnic minority owned businesses across the UK, and is now expanding into Europe. They partner with over 100 global organisations, like G4S, to innovatively break through inequalities and barriers in public and private sector supply chains.
Through this new partnership , G4S will seek to promote and provide opportunities to businesses with ethnic minority owners, as part of its wider commitment to being an ethical and sustainable organisation - doing business the right way.
It will enable G4S to:
- Have regular engagement with MSDUK’s dedicated relationship manager to support the progress of their supplier diversity journey.
- Access peer engagement sessions with other corporates in the MSDUK’s network to learn industry best practices and share knowledge on supplier diversity with each other
- Gain better access to certified ethnic minority businesses through shared database and hosted suppliers events
We are delighted to add G4S to our list of over 110 public and private sector organisations to support ethnic minority businesses in the UK, connecting them with over 100 British and global companies. MSDUK facilitates inclusive supply chains that work with under-represented entrepreneurs to help drive socio-economic growth. The UK, as one of the most diverse countries, represents some of the most talented, innovative ethnic minority businesses in the world and working with G4S, we at MSDUK would like to help these businesses grow.
We are excited to work with MSDUK and through our partnership we seek to establish a broader representation of ethnic minority owned businesses in our supply chain.
For further information, please contact csr@g4s.com